Hey there! Have you ever wanted to easily mark and share a cool spot you found or get directions to an out-of-the-way place? Well, dropping a pin on Google Maps makes it simple!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about pinning locations on Google Maps, for both desktop and mobile.
What Exactly is a Google Maps Pin?
First things first – what is a pin? The bright red teardrop icon that shows up when you tap a location is called a "pin" in Google Maps.
Pins have been used since Google Maps began in 2005 as a way to precisely mark a spot on the map without covering too much visual space. Over 17 years later, the pin has become a ubiquitous symbol of mapping a destination.
When you search for a place on Google Maps, the pin gives you an instant visual marker for where that business, address, or point of interest is located on the map.
According to Google, over 1 billion people use Google Maps each month. With so many searches and pins being dropped, Google has refined the pin design to be universally recognized and visible at varied map zoom levels.
Why Pinning is So Useful
Now that you know what pins are, let‘s talk about how they can make your life easier:
- Quickly save favorite locations like home, work, or your favorite coffee shop
- Drop pins to get directions to or from a location
- Create a custom map with pins marking each destination on your trip itinerary
- Easily share locations like a restaurant or meetup spot with friends
- Have pins sync across your phone, tablet, and desktop when logged into your Google account
- Organize important spots into labeled lists like "Favorite Restaurants" or "Vacation Ideas"
Pretty handy, right? Let‘s look at how to pin places on mobile and desktop.
Pinning Locations on Mobile
Thanks to GPS and touch screens, dropping a pin on your iPhone, Android, or other mobile devices is quick and painless.
According to Google, over 80% of searches happen on smartphones. With the Google Maps app installed on over 1 billion phones, pinning on-the-go has never been easier.
On iPhone
Pinning on an iPhone only takes a couple taps:
- Open the Google Maps app
- Search for an address or scroll/zoom the map to find the location
- Press and hold your finger on the exact spot for about 1 second
- A message will pop up confirming the pin placement
- Tap the message to open options for directions, labeling, sharing, etc.
Pro Tip: Use pinching and spreading gestures to quickly zoom into an address.
On Android
Similarly, pinning a location on an Android device using the Google Maps app just takes:
- Open the Google Maps app
- Search or scroll/zoom to find the location
- Long press the spot for 1-2 seconds
- A message will confirm the pin placement
- Tap the message to access options for that pinned location
On Android you can even share pins by tapping phones together using NFC!
Placing Pins on Desktop
For researching destinations or planning trips, pinning spots on a desktop or laptop computer can be extremely beneficial.
Here are the simple steps:
- Go to https://www.google.com/maps
- Search for an address or scroll/zoom to the desired location
- Left click on the exact spot you want to pin
- A sidebar will open with info about the location and options
Desktop pinning allows you to add custom labels visible to all Google Maps users. You also get more options for directions and sharing pins.
Pro Tip: Right click on a pinned location to open extra options.
Comparing Pinning on Mobile vs. Desktop
Now let‘s compare the key differences when placing pins on mobile apps vs. the desktop website:
Universal Features
- Drop pins by pressing/clicking on a location
- Get directions to or from pinned spots
- Labels and lists sync across devices when logged into your Google account
Unique Mobile Features
- Tap pins to instantly share locations via message or email
- Easily pin exact spots thanks to GPS and touch screens
- Quickly open common options like directions and labeling
Unique Desktop Features
- More options for sharing like embed code and social media
- Public labels visible to all users
- Easier research with large screen and mouse/trackpad
As you can see, both platforms offer versatile options for pinning any location you need!
Using Pins Like a Pro
Ready to truly master Google Maps pins? Here are some power user tips:
- Label carefully – Clear names help identify pins faster
- Confirm locations – Double check a pin‘s accuracy before sharing
- Pin home & work – Add your most frequent spots for quick access
- Make lists – Organize pins for trips, errands, restaurants, etc.
- Share from desktop – More sharing flexibility like social media
- Utilize directions – Use pins as start & end points for new routes
With practice, you‘ll be a master at dropping and managing map pins!
The Pin Points
Dropping pins on Google Maps takes seconds, yet unlocks so many helpful features. Use pins to mark your go-to destinations, share hot spots with friends, create custom maps for trips or errands, and keep yourself organized.
Now you have in-depth knowledge for expertly placing pins on both mobile and desktop. Feel free to drop some pins on exciting destinations and let the discoveries begin!
Let me know if you have any other Google Maps questions!