Digital Trends

Misplaced address markers on Google Maps can now be dragged to the correct locations, thanks to a dose of Wikipedia-style user editing.

Online mapping services have come a long way from the sketchy, slow-loading maps of old, but anyone who has ever attempted to find a friend’s house, only to end up down an alley cruising past loading docks, can tell you that pinpointing exact addresses is still rough sometimes. The developers of Google Maps have attempted to change this with a new feature that allows users to custom-set the markers for their addresses.

Google implemented the new feature on Monday. When users search for an exact address, they now have the option to click “Edit,” then “Move Marker” and set the exact location for themselves.

Since this opens some obvious doors for pranksters, Google has locked down the addresses for important locations like hospitals and police stations, and will preserve all of its original address information for reference. When users encounter a custom-set address marker, they will always have the option to view the original version.