Google has announced a new feature of Google Maps called MapMaker, which allows anyone with a Google account (therefore, everyone) to edit Google Maps. We’re not talking editing your or your friends’ version; we’re talking about the real thing. You can now edit and moderate roads, lakes, parks, POIs, cities and other local features as you please.
Of course, there are several restrictions to this feature. As Google puts it, “To ensure high quality data, we allow map editing only when you are zoomed in really close, and some of your contributions may be moderated. We also recommend that you switch to hybrid mode to add/edit features precisely.”
Furthermore, only certain regions of the world are editable: Cyprus, Iceland, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Caribbean nations of: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Still, this is a bold move that makes Google Maps a bit more Wikipedian in nature. I’m guessing that, after they judge the results on this relatively small area of the world, Google will open the entire Maps to users, at least on certain levels (POIs, for example). On the other hand, this move raises an important question: do you trust a community-built map? In some cases, I do, but for certain situations I’d like to have a slightly more official map as backup.
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