Since its launch in 2005, the red pin has remained the iconic symbol of Google Maps. While the platform covers much of the globe, users can still mark unlisted locations directly through the app. This feature is particularly useful for meeting friends at a park, saving a scenic spot for later, or recalling where a bicycle was parked.
Although Google Maps has introduced advanced tools such as 3D driving views and business busy-level indicators, the core function of navigating between two points remains essential. When a starting or ending point is not officially recorded on the map, dropping a custom pin is a straightforward solution.
To drop a pin on a mobile device, open the Google Maps app and locate the desired area. Press and hold on the map until the pin appears. From the menu below, you can scroll to the left of the Directions button to select Add label, which allows you to assign a custom name rather than using raw GPS coordinates; this label will appear in the Labeled section under the Saved tab. You may also tap Save to store the pin in a chosen list, optionally adding a note. To share the location, tap Share and select your preferred method.
Desktop users have access to similar functionality with an additional shortcut. Visit the Google Maps website and click on any part of the map to place a gray dot. The GPS coordinates will display in a small box at the bottom of the screen. Clicking these coordinates opens the standard info panel, where you can save, label, or share the location just as on mobile. Alternatively, right-clicking the map brings up a context menu with options to copy the GPS coordinates or click Share this location. Users can also utilize Directions from here or Directions to here if saving the pin is unnecessary.
Beyond static pins, Google Maps offers live location sharing. Open the app, tap your profile picture in the top-right corner, and select Location sharing. Choose Share location, set a time limit or select Until you turn this off for indefinite sharing, and pick a contact to send the update to via their Maps app or another method.
For more complex planning, the My Maps feature allows users to build custom maps with multiple layers, such as separating parks, restaurants, and tourist sites. This is ideal for organizing vacation itineraries or managing business client locations. Custom maps can include up to 10,000 lines, shapes, or places and can only be created on desktop, though they are viewable on mobile devices.
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