you can log into your Google account to edit a place on the map. You can even mark that a business has closed to save someone an extra trip. Of course, we’ve taken steps to help protect accuracy — for example, you’ll still be able to see the original listing information along with the history of changes made.

edit those maps, people

The new Google Maps feature to allow every user to create a new business listing is now live. Here is a comprehensive slideshow detailing the process step by step. Some items of note about the process:

The option to add a place to the map is available at the bottom of the page on ANY Map’s search. In my case I searched for 8th & Sullivan, Olean NY as it was the location of a shop that I utilized but had a very low profile. Login is required and will be used to track changes per user. Google allows a business to be added without an exact address but by dragging the marker to the location. Not all details need be available to create an entry. Google uses a much more flexible categorization in the “Type of Place” entry than currently exists in the Local Business Center. While you type, it makes suggestions as to existing categories. As you type suggested categories appear but if you continue you are allowed to enter a category that is not in the suggestions. In this case, I added “Used Computer Parts”