by A.W. Berry

Created on: July 19, 2010

To use Google Maps Uniform Resource Locator (URL) shortener first go to Google Maps at URL: http://www.maps.google.com, then utilize the zoom and page slide feature to find the location on the map you are looking for. Then click on 'New' in the menu located at the top right of the page and Google Maps Labs screen should open. The second feature on this new menu will be the short URL features. Click on enable then press save changes at the bottom of the Google Maps Labs page. After that click on 'link' just above the top right of the map. Google Maps should then produce a shortened map URL.

1: Go to Google Maps
2: Use zoom and scroll features
3: Click on 'New'
4: Enable and save URL shortener
5: Click on link

In order for the URL shortener to work every time you visit Google Maps one must have a Google account and enable the URL shortener after signing in. To create a Google account press sign in when in Google Maps. You will then be redirected to the login page. Just under the login information bars there is a 'create account' option. By clicking on create account one is redirected again to the registration page which must be completed. After the account is created and you are signed in, you can then permanently enable the Google Maps URL shortener.

Sometimes the Google Map URL shortener may not work even after enabling. In such case close your browser and open it up again. The Google Maps URL shortener also works for Google maps satellite images, for example this link was created using Google Maps URL shortener and looks like a satellite image of 'Lake Mickey' (Mouse) near Disney World. Here's one of the U.S. Captiol Building and one of Arrowhead stadium where the Kansas City Chiefs play. The baseball diamond just to the upper right is where the Kansas City Royals play.

Google Maps became functional in 2010 but isn't the only service that shortens Google Map URL's.  Another site called AMap.To also shortens Google Maps. For example, using Google Maps AMapTo has a menu that allows one to Twitter, print, get directions view related Wikipedia articles, and create a shortened link. This link of Mt. St. Helens was created using AMapto. For more help with using Google Maps URL shortener the Google Maps help forum may be of assistance. The Google Maps help forum can be found at the following link.

Sources:

1) http://maps.google.com/ (Google Maps)
2) http://bit.ly/36GTcd (Google Maps Help)
3) http://amap.to/ (A Map To)

Learn more about this author, A.W. Berry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.