Google Maps is one of the best travel apps on the market, providing live traffic updates and real-time GPS navigation, along with other underrated Google Maps features. However, it is also useful for finding new businesses and places to visit, displaying important information such as opening hours, contact details, images and reviews. Google uses a mix of satellite imagery, third-party sources and government input to create its maps and data, with the information updated regularly. Sometimes, however, a new business or location may be missed, or the details of a Google Maps location may change or simply be incorrect. Fortunately, in some countries and regions, Google Maps users can suggest new public places, such as hotels and restaurants, to add to the map or make potential changes to the attributes of listed places to add missing information or correct inaccuracies. If Google accepts a user’s submission, the details become public.
However, Google Maps also offers a private labels feature that lets you mark an address or location on the map that is only visible to you, making it useful for identifying places you visit frequently – and perhaps need directions – but don’t want to make publicly visible to everyone, such as a private residence. But even though these labels are invisible to others, they are not entirely private, because Google can use this information to create personalized ads and recommendations for you. Below we explain how to create private labels in Google Maps, how private these labels really are, and what information you should avoid sharing.
What are private brands in Google Maps?
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Private labels are markers that you can add to Google Maps and only you can see. This is especially useful if you want to mark a place you frequently visit, such as a friend’s address, but don’t want it to be publicly visible.
To add a private tag to a location, log in to Google Maps on your mobile device or desktop computer, find the address you want to add a tag to, and select “Add Tag” from the listing information. On mobile, the button is on the same line as the “Directions” option, and on desktop, it is on the left. Don’t confuse adding a label with the “Save” button (label icon), used to create Google Maps lists. This then brings up a text box where you can enter a place name, such as “Sally’s House.” This place name will appear on your map, in your search suggestions, and in Google Photos, but will not be visible to anyone else.
However, although this label is private, the text below the “Add label” text box warns that “personal spaces will be used within Google products, for personalized recommendations and for more useful ads.” Additionally, if you instead select “Add a missing location” or select “Suggest edits” under the listing information, the information and location you submit will become public if accepted by Google, as these are technically contributions – and there is no way to undo a pending addition or edit, only to mark a location as “non-existent” once it’s live. So avoid including personal information, such as full names and phone numbers, in your label, edits, or suggestions.
