Weekly tech lesson: Making your own custom map with Google My Maps

Published: Thu, 10/10/19

Maps can be made for all sorts of purposes. Remembering our travels is one of our favorite uses, but you might also want to make your own map to combine information that you get from other maps

In Episode 176 of What Does This Button Do? We show how to use Google My Maps to add different markers to a custom map. This way, you'll no longer need to go back and forth to different maps because you've combined all your important places onto one map. Episode 176 also includes a quick tip about ordering prints from within Google Photos and blocking robo-calls with our app of the day.

Try it now, here is how you would make a map of places - e.g. National Parks - you want to visit - or have been :-)

Go to MyMaps.com, be sure you are signed in to your Google account
Click the button to "Create New Map"
Click on "untitled map" and give it a name: "Nat'l Parks I want to visit", click Save
Search (click in the search bar at top) for a place, e.g. Everglades Nat'l Park
When if finds it, you can click Add to map, or (better) you can click the marker tool and add your own marker exactly where you want it.
Find another place, e.g. Big Bend Nat'l Park, and add a marker there
When you're done adding places, you can close the browser window - your map is automaticallly saved
To return to your map at any time, just go to MyMaps.com and be logged in with the same Google account. You will see all your maps here and you can click on the one you want

To learn more, watch the whole 55 minute episode 176.

Watch Episode 176: How to make a map with Google Maps

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Learn more with this Learning Guide for Google My Maps.

Create a custom map just for you
Edit your map and customize markers
Import places from a spreadsheet
Add photos and descriptions to each marker
Add lines
Import POI data sets
Share the map
Printable Quick Reference Guide

Sincerely,

Geeks on Tour

jimandchris@geeksontour.com