2021 Google Maps Updates You Must Understand

Zack Greenfield • April 9, 2021
Hey guys, welcome to another episode of quick and dirty today. We are going to talk about the new maps updates for Google's 2021 rollout, super important stuff. 

We've got some exciting news that you may have seen all about Google maps for 2021. And there are a lot of exciting changes with that. And of course, as local business owners, we need to keep our listings up to date on maps and this, all these updates that we're seeing for 2021 is going to reaffirm Google as the number one maps and navigation provider and the number one place to have your business listing posted and updated. So let's talk about what the updates are. One of the cool things that you may know about, or have tried, or have seen a yellow pad, some stuff like this, and Google is going to continue is AR or augmented reality navigational assistance. So that basically means you're going to hold up your phone and the camera on your phone will show what it's looking at and then overlay navigational data onto that image. 

And you can move your phone around, like for instance, and they give the example of doing this in an airport and find out where the elevator is or escalator or your gate might be, or if you're trying to get something to eat or your ticket agent or check in and that kind of stuff. So that would be allow you to all use augmented reality with your phone and navigate. The big deal is that for 2021, they're now bringing the AR navigational feature indoors to, uh, airports and select shopping malls and transit stations in Zurich and Tokyo to launch. So that's very exciting. So if you're in a combined shopping center or one of the big malls in the country, um, your store could get featured in that. And again, this is why it's so important to have your listing update and so forth. So that's exciting, and that is AI powered technology, and it's using augmented reality. 

So you're going to want to really take a hard look at whether you have your three 60 pictures in there and street view data that would go along with that, so that when people do use that feature, your store and location comes up appropriately as we get towards the end of this year. The next thing they're adding, which is also super cool, is new layers to maps. And these are some exciting things they're pulling in some weather data. So they're going to show us air quality and that's rolling out. And I think India and into us in certain locations. So you're gonna be able to add that layer to your navigational routes and see air quality, which, you know, for some users is a big deal. And maybe, you know, you don't want to go into town today because the air quality is really poor, and you'll be able to see that layer now on your maps. 

And then the other thing that's pretty neat is Google is introducing a new feature to maps called eco routes. And they're going to be using a green leaf icon and green route highlighting. And, you know, traditionally they've used blue, but this is now going to show you the green eco route and those eco routes using, I guess, you know, AI gathered data. There is a little vague and technical on that, but they figured out what routes leave a bigger impact on the planet. And they're going to suggest routes that might leave lead a smaller carbon and impact on the planet and suggest that you potentially take these more eco-friendly routes while driving around so forth that also plays into if you're a bus rider or a bicyclist, then they will suggest mass transit and, or riding. And that's based on Google's AI learning algorithm that is learning your behavior about how you like to commute, to work or get around your neighborhood. 

And so far. So if you're one of the folks that is a cyclist or a runner, or I guess a Walker, maybe, I dunno, if you run around it good for you. There reminds me of that star Trek episode where everybody ran everywhere. That was a good one, by the way, you should go check it out. Um, the, the assist, the maps will now of course suggest to you that you might take the bus and so forth, and that would be the eco route. So that's super cool. The other thing, um, is that, and this is really important for us, uh, small and medium business owners that have a local, uh, location that's on maps is that now curbside delivery and shopping details and so forth are being tested with Albertsons and some bigger stores like Fred Meyer's up in, I think the Portland area, Seattle area, and what that's going to do is add some additional features to those stores listings, showing curbside delivery, curbside pickup, and how that works and or delivery options and or who might provide delivery. 

If there's a third-party vendor for that, for those types of locations. So, you know that Google will do this. They will work with large partners at first to optimize and get that ironed out. And then that stuff will trickle down to regular business owners that want to enhance their maps listings. So I'm going to leave you with that today. It's super exciting. And then we're going to follow up with another video, and we're going to show you how to optimize your business, this listing on Google, my business, which is part of maps. And we're also going to dive into street view and how to get your three 60 VR photos of your business loaded and posted so that all of these new AR features and everything can integrate with the data that is uploaded for your business.
GET HELP TODAY
By Zack Greenfield • November 3, 2026
Only 31% of businesses have adopted agentic AI workflows — which means your Scottsdale competitors probably haven't either. Here's how small business owners can move first and actually win.
By Zack Greenfield • October 29, 2026
Tired of an empty waiting room? Discover how content marketing for medical practices in Arizona actually works — and how to use it to attract more patients without paid ads alone.
Two people seated across a table reviewing a laptop in a bright office lounge
October 29, 2026
Still relying on a contact form to capture med spa leads? In 2026, that strategy is dead. Learn why a branded AI chatbot books more consults, converts more patients, and works while you sleep — and how to get one built for your clinic.
By Zack Greenfield • October 27, 2026
Stop renting your audience from Meta and Google. Learn how Arizona small businesses can build a first-party data engine using their CRM to market smarter, spend less, and own their customer relationships for good.
Three people discuss work around a laptop in a bright café with large windows.
By Zack Greenfield • October 27, 2026
Is your restaurant's website driving customers away? This no-fluff guide breaks down exactly what Phoenix restaurant owners need in a high-performing website — and what to stop doing immediately.
By Zack Greenfield • October 20, 2026
If your Scottsdale restaurant or medical practice isn't optimized for voice search, you're invisible when it counts most. Here's exactly how to fix that — no tech degree required.
Four people in a bright office meeting around a wooden table with a laptop and papers
By Zack Greenfield • October 15, 2026
Most Scottsdale businesses are invisible to AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Here's what that blind spot is costing you — and what to do about it before your competitors figure it out.
By zack • October 14, 2026
Voice search drives 27% of all queries — and your Arizona competitors are already showing up. Learn how Scottsdale restaurants, medical practices, and service businesses can win spoken searches in 2026 before someone else does.
By Zack Greenfield • October 9, 2026
Not sure if AI search tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity are sending customers your way — or ignoring you completely? This practical guide shows Scottsdale business owners exactly how to track and measure AI visibility in 2026, step by step.
By Zack Greenfield • October 9, 2026
Scottsdale business owners: stop building your audience on borrowed land. Learn why owned content systems beat rented social reach — and how to start building one before the next algorithm wipes you out.
Show More