Google unveils user-generated maps in RP

MANILA, Philippines-- Google announced Wednesday the availability of Google Map Maker in the Philippines, a new application that depends on information contributed by users.

"Google Map Maker is all about leveraging the knowledge of local experts found in every neighborhood and in every known town and city. Since the map data is collected from people who have first-hand knowledge of the area, the information becomes more meaningful and relevant to users," said Jason Chuck, Google Product Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific, in a briefing here.

The main goal of the Google Map Maker is to provide their users a useful, comprehensive and updated map of the Philippines.

The application provides a platform for users to locate, draw, label and accurately render existing destinations and create maps for even unexplored areas.

With this new application, users can also add important information on points of destination like contact details, photos and even reviews for business establishments.

Google Map Maker is open to all users and Google hopes to empower them to participate as a contributor and moderator at the same time.

A certain data requires the moderation of Google Map Maker users before it is approved.

The algorithm used in this application verifies the reliability of the contributor by reviewing user behavior, contributed content and the number of users approving the data.

Google is expecting this new application to help boost commerce, tourism and aid investments by helping small businesses make their marks in the web.

Executives present in a briefing held in Manila expressed willingness to partner with local government agencies that will benefit from this application especially the tourism and education sector.

Unlike the existing Google Maps application which takes its data from different sources, the Google Map Maker is updated real time and users can either approve or edit pending data.

Google Maps is now using the Google Map Maker as one of their sources.

Source: inquirer.net