Google Maps’ New Search Feature

Writing by Nick Stamoulis Tweet

Google Maps now has a new search feature. When you land on the Google Maps page you’ll see the usual set up, but if you look to the right of the search button there’s a link. It says “Show search options” and a drop down box appears. Click on it and it says “Hide search options.”

In the drop down box you’ll see four options:

• Everything
• Location
• Businesses
• User-Generated Content

These are interesting choices. A search for York County, Pa. (history buffs will know this is where the U.S. Constitution was signed) under “Everything” will bring up several choices as wide and varied as you can imagine:

• harley davidson
• giant
• memorial hospital
• york hospital
• yorktowne hotel
• bae
• sheetz
• marcello’s
• wellspan
• manor care

These choices appear as links. Click a link and you’re taken to a page that shows all the locations for that entry in Google Maps and pinpoints on the map showing those locations. That’s a useful tool.

Add one of those business names to the “york county pa” distinction and search under Locations. You’ll get exactly what you asked for: A list of locations for that business within York County, Pa. It’s just as if you were searching for the same item under “Find Businesses.”

The interesting way to search is under “User-Generated Content.” When you create a search under that criteria you’ll get a list of choices under Community Maps, and new Google Maps feature that allows content creators to collaborate.

Google Maps’ new features should enhance the user experience. Try it out and see how you can use it for your business.