Over 150,000 websites use Google Maps in novel ways. Join us on a tour of a few that caught our eye.
"By adding Google Maps to our reservation environment, user satisfaction is well over 90%."
Lesley Mottla, Product Management Director
Google Maps at the heart of the pitch to prospective car-share members. Near-complete user satisfaction with a map-based car reservation interface. Zero API downtime in 18 months. No wonder Zipcar considers Google Maps API "critically important" to its operations.
"We were a very early user of Google Maps, [which] helped create a sense that Yelp... gets new technology."
Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO
Yelp uses the Google Maps API on 70% of its pages — the first map took just a few hours to develop, and now several innovative tools help millions of users search and contribute reviews of local businesses.
"I think it's the best map product on the web."
Paul English, Co-Founder and CTO
Using the Google Maps API, Kayak added the ability to search for nearby businesses on its hotel results map in under 4 hours.
"The ability to search for an address... and then see where it is in relation to the catastrophe was really valuable for people."
Leng Caloh, Senior Online Managing Editor
Using the My Maps feature, broadcast station KPBS created a map providing real-time updates on the San Diego wildfires that received over two million views within a few days.
"47 million visitors come to the city of New York [each year] from all over the world... with Google partnering with NYC & Company, [the city] will be an even greater draw."
George Fertitta, CEO
New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, NYC & Company, built www.nycgo.com and the Official NYC Information Center using the Google Maps API, Google Maps for mobile, and the Google Earth API.
"Since we've introduced Google Maps to the site, we've noticed a significant increase in the time that audiences stay."
Greg Ellis, CEO
The REA Group used Google Maps to increase total user engagement and property detail page views by an average of 10% across 20 sites in 3 continents.
"We have a map for every single destination in our Travel section."
C. Eliot Pierce, Vice President
In just a few days, The New York Times developed interactive maps within its travel section, and today 50 percent of its travel section uses Google Maps.