Google Maps Pin Feature
02/05
Problem Statement
Users need a way to personalize pins saved in Google Maps so they can more easily find favorite places later.
My Role
UX Research
Lead Designer
Wireframes, Art Direction, Prototypes
User Research
From the user research, I discovered that the main pain points of using Google Maps Pins were:
trying to find old pins isn’t easy
the notes portion is not inviting
users forget to pin a location
no way to share a curated list from your pins
From this, I knew that the immediate needs would be to create a new pin screen with many more customizable options, a way to search your pins, a new way to search for pins you’ve created in the past which is paired with a more curated way to share pins with friends.
Current Google Map Flow
(For Reference)
Pin Screen
When the user chooses to save a location, they are taken to this screen to save to a list, with a small text box to write notes.
Find Saved Pins
Currently, the only way to find pins you’ve saved is to search via your Saved tab. You can sift through your lists, or look through the Recently Saved/ Nearby Saved sections below. There is no way other way to search.
First Round High-Fidelity Wireframes
Save A Pin
Task scenario:
You friend has recommended this restaurant to you and you want to make sure you visit it, as well as remember the menu items she recommends. Show me how you would save a pin.
Search for Pin
Task scenario:
Your friend asked you to recommend an Italian restaurant that would be good for a date in NYC. Show me how you would search your pins to share locations with them.
Usability Test Results
Save a Pin
Save insinuates “save for later”, would prefer “Pin”
Confusing that “Save pin” button at the bottom of the first screen can be clicked before choosing anything
Search for Pins
The “Saved” screen named “Search” is confusing. Suggestion: “My/Saved Pins”
Need a way to adjust search once youʼre looking at search results
Confused on “Share” button and the parameters on what is being shared
Making Improvements and Final Result
The final prototypes reflect the feedback from the usability test results, and solve every problem from the initial research.
Save Pin
The feedback for the Save a Pin feature was very straightforward and mostly UX Writing based.
Search for Pin
For Search for Pin, I kept the search area at the top after the search results were produced, but with the “Search” button unclickable until the user changed some of the parameters. I also added an info screen after the user clicks “Share” that explains what is being shared before the user’s phone share options appear.