Google is rolling out new features to make it easier for users to contribute local knowledge to Maps, the company announced on Tuesday. Most notably, Gemini can now create captions when users are looking to share a photo or video about a place.
Once users select photos that they want to share, Gemini will analyze the images to create captions. Users can then choose to edit or remove the caption. The company says the new tool is designed to give users a head start on captions when sharing content. Caption suggestions are available now in English on iOS in the U.S., and will expand globally and to Android in the coming months, Google says.
The company is also making it easier to find the right image for sharing with the community. If users turn on media access for Google Maps in their phone’s settings, they will see photos and videos from their recent experiences directly in the “Contribute” tab. From there, they can tap on a photo and post it.
“Photos and videos you post help people better understand a place, like the overall vibe or the newest menu,” Google explained in a blog post. “Now, we’re making it easier to find the right image for sharing.”
Photo and video recommendations are now available globally on iOS and Android.
In addition, Google is making it easier for users to track the impact of their contributions, as they will now see total points earned displayed in the “Contribute” tab. Additionally, “Local Guide” levels will be highlighted on profile pages. For context, Local Guides earn points by adding photos, writing reviews, answering questions, and checking facts to improve Google Maps.
The company says it has updated its achievement badges so it’s easier to see if someone is an “expert fact-finder,” “a master photographer,” or “a rising novice.” Plus, Google is making it easier to spot high-level contributors with new gold-colored profiles.
Google says these new features are designed to support its community of over 500 million contributors, who share photos, reviews, and videos to help others decide what to do and where to go. Given that Maps largely relies on contributors to keep information fresh and updated, it makes sense for the company to streamline the process of these contributions.