📍 Google Maps pro tip: You don’t need to know the exact name of something to find it. Search Maps for general terms, like “plants and trees,” “frame shop” or “dog park,” and Google will find you spots that match.
The strange and weird things captured on Google Maps
I love Google Maps. It’s one of those everyday tech tools that actually makes life easier. From finding late-night tacos to dodging traffic like a pro, it’s still the gold standard in navigation. (Sorry, Apple Maps, you’re catching up but not quite there yet.)
🗺️ Google Maps has charted nearly every inch of the planet, capturing jaw-dropping landscapes to hidden alleyways you didn’t know existed. And yes, every once in a while, it’ll still take you on the “scenic” route to work just to keep things interesting.
Along the way, its cameras have picked up some seriously strange and unexplained sights. Here are a few that’ll make you stop and think, “What on Earth is going on there?”
The desert ‘star’ of Kazakhstan
In a remote area of Kazakhstan, there’s a 1,200-foot five-pointed star carved into the land. Hello, conspiracy theories! We’re talking about secret societies and all manner of the occult.
But the real explanation? It’s an abandoned Soviet-era campground. The star is the outline of old walking paths.
The mysterious ‘doorway’ in Antarctica
A weird rectangular formation spotted in Antarctica sparked wild theories about a hidden “doorway” in the ice. Is it a secret compound or a door to an ancient civilization? Oh, the stories it could tell. I bet it’s a natural phenomenon, say an iceberg melting in place.
UFO-ish structure in New Mexico
In a remote mountainous region of New Mexico, there’s a big, white, disc-shaped object the collective internet really wants to believe is a crashed alien ship. It’s been there since at least 2003, with signs of wear and vegetation over time. A rainwater catchment basin is my best guess.
The island that ‘doesn’t exist’
There was once a mystery island in the Pacific Ocean that appeared on Google Maps but didn’t exist in real life. Sandy Island was marked on paper maps for over a century, yet when explorers tried to find it, there was nothing.
Weird things on Google Earth
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I spent the first 10 years of my life in New Jersey. I still remember when I knocked out my front tooth on the swings and the time I threw a snowball at a police car and hit the cop inside on the head. That was bad.
Seeing the house on Google took me back. Yup, click that link to see where I grew up. And while you’re at it, take yourself on a walk down memory lane, too.
Watch out for fake businesses on Google Maps
Just because a place has five stars doesn’t mean it’s real. Here’s how to spot a scam.
🏠 Gotta be smarter than the scammers: A Michigan woman lost $2,500 after falling for a phony Facebook Marketplace listing. It had a tour video, she paid the security deposit, got the keys … and then showed up to a place that wasn’t even for rent. PSA: Do a reverse image search, verify the address on Google Maps and never pay with Zelle, Venmo or gift cards.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Traveling? Download Google Maps offline areas to navigate without cell service.
Delete location sharing apps – How to share in the ones you use
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Location sharing helps you worry less. Whether your friend’s late for dinner, your kid’s almost home or your partner’s on the way from the airport, it sure beats sending a bunch of texts back and forth.
The bad news is more and more location-sharing apps have been caught selling your data to third parties. You don’t need a separate app for location sharing; it’s baked right into the apps you already use.
Tech tip: Share your ETA on the go
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I hate being late. No one wants to leave friends hangry at a restaurant. Here’s a trick I use: Share your ETA right from your map app. It keeps everyone in the loop.
It’s way better than sharing your location 24/7. Imagine if we’d had this tech back in our 20s. Total concert and party game‑changer!
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: In Google Maps, tap your profile > “Offline maps” and download your area. Because “no signal” shouldn’t mean “no clue where I am.”
😩 Homeowner’s nightmare: Imagine random cars using your private driveway for years because of a Google Maps error. That’s what happened to Michael. GPS apps marked his property as a public road, and even warning signs didn’t stop people from tearing up his yard. His grass has seen more burnout than corporate America. He told the local news, and they reached out to Google, which finally got it updated.
⏱️ Never be late again: Google Maps and Apple Maps are great at predicting traffic. Next time you need directions, look for the option to set your arrival time. The map app will let you know when you should leave home. Drive safe!
📍 Bait and switch: Google found over 10,000 fake listings on Google Maps and is now suing the scammers behind it. People would search for a service (often an emergency one) and get directed to a phony business. Then the scam service would show up and demand way more money than originally quoted. That’s why you need to verify details, folks.
📍 Friend finder: Meeting up can be tricky if your friends use different phones. If you all have Facebook, use Messenger to share your location. Open the Messenger app, then create a chat group with your crew. Tap the plus sign, then Start Sharing Live Location. You can do this on Google Maps, too.
He must have used Bono as his GPS voice: A Tesla driver was following Google Maps on a mountain and took the wrong turn. Instead of sticking to the clearly marked roadway, he ended up on a ski slope. Luckily, the ski patrol spotted the car, chased it down and stopped it. The driver still doesn’t know what he was looking for.
NASA just brought GPS to the moon
I predict one day the moon will have its own version of Google Maps. Plus, a couple of great apps that’ll help you stargaze at night.
Design your garden with Google Maps
Use satellite view to map your yard, sketch layouts, and get ready for spring. Nice!
🌲 When your backyard needs a makeover: Super-smart idea spotted on Reddit: Use Google Maps to see your space from a different perspective. Sketch the rough outline, then take a photo on your phone. Now you have a template. Print copies and start sketching ideas.
Oh, crap, you have to run to the mall: There’s no time to wander around, looking for your car, when you’re done fighting the crowds. On Google Maps, tap the blue dot (your location), then choose Save your parking. Have an iPhone? Say, “Siri, remember where I parked my car,” and you’ll get a pin on the map.
Stop losing your car at the mall: Open the Google Maps app, tap the blue dot that shows your location, then select Save parking.
Save gas and stay safe: smart Google Maps tricks for holiday travel
Nearly 120 million Americans plan to hit the road this season. Use these tips to save money, find cool spots, and travel smarter.