3 updates that make contributing to Maps easier

Local knowledge from people around the world plays a big part in how Google Maps delivers fresh information. As part of our community of over 500 million contributors, your photos, reviews and videos of authentic experiences make it possible for people to confidently decide what to do and where to go. To make it even easier for you to share your perspective, here are three updates we're bringing to Maps.

Quickly find and share your favorite moments

Photos and videos you post help people better understand a place, like the overall vibe or the newest menu. Now, we're making it easier to find the right image for sharing. If you turn on media access for Google Maps in your phone settings, you'll see photos and videos from your recent experiences highlighted directly in the Contribute tab. All you have to do is tap and post. Photo and video recommendations are now available globally on Android, and will expand to iOS in the coming months.

Get a head start on captions with Gemini

Captions add valuable context to photos, but it can sometimes be tough to find the right words. To help get you started, we're using the power of our Gemini models to suggest a draft. Once you select your photos, Gemini analyzes the images to create captions that you can edit or remove. Caption suggestions are available now in English on iOS in the U.S., and will expand globally and to Android in the coming months.

See the impact of your contributions

We're also making it easier for you to track your impact on Maps. Total points will be displayed right on the Contribute tab and Local Guide levels will be prominently highlighted on profile pages. We're also updating our achievement badges so it's clear at a glance if you're an expert fact-finder, a master photographer or a rising novice. Plus, if you're looking for trusted voices while wading through reviews, we're making it simpler to spot high-level contributors with new gold-colored profiles. These updates are now rolling out globally across Android, iOS and desktop.

We're constantly inspired by the ways our community helps people navigate and explore the world. We hope these new features make sharing your experiences a little more effortless.

• Maps