(Credit: Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
For the last five years, you’ve been able to follow individual contributors on Google Maps to see their recommendations on where to go, helping you discover hidden gems from people you trust. Now, Google is killing the feature.
On July 24, Google confirmed the follow feature where you can track members of the Google Maps community will be removed from Sept. 2025. Google hasn't specified an exact end date, but you should anticipate it to be gone after August 31.
This means you won't be able see new posts from those who you now follow on Google Maps, and it also means your own followers will be removed. Google confirmed users won’t need to do anything themselves, and it will all be handled by the service.
For those who enjoyed the feature, the company has recommended its Local Guides Connect forum as an alternative. This allows you to talk to other active members of the Maps community to share locations, recommendations, and more. You can also continue to make lists within the app, or follow other people's lists.
The follow feature has been used by those who want updates within the app on the You tab. The fact Google is sunsetting this feature suggests it wasn’t used enough for it to justify maintaining it.
Previously, Google Maps had a feature where you could follow individual businesses to receive updates around promotions, events, or even things like changes to opening hours. This was helpful for any businesses you regularly return to, such as a coffee shop or restaurant.
It appears this feature was removed in January, but Google has yet to publicly confirm its end. Spotted in June 2024, a mention in the app's code found by Android Authority said it would be removed in January 2025. PCMag's testing has found you're no longer able to follow businesses, but it's unclear if places you previously followed still appear in the You tab. PCMag has ask Google for clarification.
Until September, you can see if you have followers, or if you’re following anyone, by heading to Google Maps and tapping on your profile picture. From there, select Your Profile and either Following or Followers.