Use Google Maps effectively: 5 tips

In this practical tip we give you tips on Google Maps. How to use the Google service more effectively and get there faster.

Tip 1: Google Maps as a traffic planner

Traffic stalls at the end of the day, especially in large cities. With Google Maps you will still find a quick way.

1. Open Google Maps and enter the desired city in the search field.
2. Zoom in closer and click on "Traffic" in the top left corner.
3. Now you can see the current load on the roads and plan your stress-free route.

Tip 2: Integrate Google Maps into the website

If you have your own shop or restaurant, you should include a Google Map on your website. This feature also helps you to make your friends' way to the next celebration easier.

1. Open Google Maps and click the gear icon at the bottom, then click "My Places."
2. Now search for the location that should be shown on the map. Click on "Save" in the left menu.
3. The map is now saved under "My Places" and can be called up there.
4. Open the map section under "My Places" and click on the link symbol at the top. Here you will find the HTML code that you insert on your website.

Tip 3: plan a sightseeing tour with maps

With Google Maps you can plan your next vacation perfectly. With the combination of Google Earth and the Discover features, you know which sights are worthwhile and which are not.

1. Click the Discover arrow at the bottom right. A bar with pictures opens.
2. If you move the mouse over the pictures, Maps will show you the location of the sights.
3. Click on one of the images, then Google Maps zooms in on the sight and, if possible, puts you in Street View mode. So you can easily plan the next sightseeing tour.
4. To view a city with 3D models, click on "Google Earth" at the bottom left and then tilt the map - these models are not available for all cities.

Tip 4: Use Google Maps on the go

Google Maps is also available as an app for Android and iPhone. But you don't always have a stable internet connection with your smartphone. With Maps you can therefore use certain map sections offline.

• Android: Open the desired map area in Google Maps that you later want to use offline. With a click in the search bar you can scroll down in the menu and click on "Make map area available offline".
• iOS: Open the desired map area and enter "ok maps" in the search bar. The map section is downloaded and is now available to you offline.
• On Android you can also insert stopovers or rename favorites.

Tip 5: The fastest way to plan the route

With two mouse clicks you can plan the route on Google Maps. You just need to know where your goal is.

1. Open Google Maps and right click on your start or destination.
2. A window opens with the button "Route from here", "Route here" and "What is here".
3. If you want the position to be your destination, click on "Route here". If the position is your start, click on "Route from here".
4. Now right click on your start or finish and select one of the two options.
5. Google Maps now calculates the fastest route by foot, car or bike.

Tip: With the command "from Start to Destination" you also get the route without having to search for a long time on the map for your destination. For example, you could enter "from Berlin to Munich".

• You can only measure the distance between two targets.