Google Maps AI Features 2025: Reality Check - Do They Actually Work?

Table of Contents

Introduction: The AI Hype vs Reality

Google Maps artificial intelligence - it's a hot topic on the internet right now. The idea that artificial intelligence in its ChatGPT-friendly version is going to revolutionize the use of Google Maps by adding a bunch of cool new features sounds exciting, but the million-dollar question remains: do these AI features actually work?

This new artificial intelligence, after all, is still quite new. We can draw a parallel with the video game industry - just because there is a new feature, a new product, a new game right now doesn't mean that the new feature is 100% reliable. Usually, a few more months of development are needed.

So what we have done is test these Google Maps AI features, and we are going to check if these seven use cases really work. Google Maps just received a huge update where you can now message directly just like ChatGPT. Here are the real-world test results.

What's New in 2024-2025: Ask About Place and Gemini AI

Before diving into our original testing, it's important to note the significant developments in Google Maps AI since late 2024. Google has integrated Gemini AI more deeply into Maps, introducing several new features according to Google's official AI blog.

Ask About Place Feature

The most significant addition is the "Ask About Place" functionality, which allows users to tap on any location and ask Gemini AI specific questions about it. According to TechCrunch's AI coverage, this feature provides:

• Real-time information about businesses
• Operating hours and menu recommendations
• Reviews and ratings synthesis
• Contextual location insights

Enhanced Gemini Integration

Google Maps now features:

• Conversational search capabilities that understand natural language
• Personalized recommendations based on user preferences and search history
• Area summaries that categorize places and provide comprehensive overviews
• Sustainable routing suggestions with eco-friendly alternatives

However, as with the features we tested, these Gemini-powered enhancements are primarily available in the United States, with limited functionality in other regions.

Feature #1: Live View Camera Navigation

Google Maps Live View allows you to initiate camera-based exploration to discover any companies around. The promotional video is really incredible because it shows an example where you can find your way through an airport, and it seems like you are able to find the right gate - the gate you are looking for.

Does Live View Really Work?

The answer is yes for the app. If you click on a point on a location, then you can click on the live button, and through your camera you can explore your surroundings. So this feature actually works, but is it as accurate as the example shown in the marketing video? Maybe not.

Real-World Testing Results

The airport was a bit far away from my home, so I made the test in a shopping mall and it didn't work. Basically, the app sent me a notification telling me that this feature couldn't be used when I'm inside a building. So maybe this feature works if you are located in America, but in Europe? Nah.

Technical Limitations

What needs to be understood is that when you click on the live button, basically you will scan your surroundings. So this feature mainly works in big cities because if you live in the middle of nowhere, you will scan well... nothing. So it does make sense that it's not working inside buildings because usually on Google Maps you cannot see inside the buildings, and this might be the reason why it's not working yet.

The technology relies heavily on Google's Street View data, and as explained in Google's Maps Platform documentation, the coverage varies significantly by region and building type.

Feature #2: Enhanced Dialog Search Capability

AI-powered replies that get comprehensive information the same way as ChatGPT does. This is how it works: you enter the text and get some results, so the same way as you do a normal Google Maps research, but it's supposedly much more accurate.

Availability Issues

I've tried to find this feature and I didn't find it anywhere. There are a couple of clues showing us that this feature is at the early stage of development. The first clue is that sentence: "generative AI experiment." There it is - the word "experiment." It's a beta test.

Geographic Restrictions

If we take a look at the description from the Google Maps app on Google Play Store, we can see that we can become a beta tester and also that the features are not equal depending on the country you are living in. So again, maybe for Americans this feature makes perfect sense, but I've never seen it in my life.

This pattern of US-first rollouts is consistent with Google's broader AI strategy, as documented in Wired's technology coverage.

Feature #3: Immersive 3D Experience

Google Maps Immersive View allows you to discover locations through detailed 3D visuals. Three examples are shown: the first one is Westminster, then it's Big Ben, and finally it is the inside of a building of a restaurant which is The Cinnamon Club.

Limited but Functional

This feature is called Immersive View. It's pretty similar to Street View - let's say it's an enhanced version of Street View. So does it work? Yes... oh, that's a small yes because if you want to get the immersive view of Westminster, it's not going to work because the area is too broad.

What Actually Works

However, it's very likely you can get the immersive view for monuments. So you can perfectly get the immersive view of Big Ben, Notre Dame, or the Eiffel Tower. It's working and you can get weather forecasts, traffic forecasts.

Building Interiors: Rare Exceptions

However, regarding the inside of buildings, it's not that commonly widespread. I mean, it's working for the restaurant The Cinnamon Club. How did they even do that? I think it's pretty simple - they just put a 360° camera on a trolley and then they just walked through the restaurant. But one more time, this is more like an exception than a rule.

Feature #4: AI Recommendations

You can receive immediate advice thanks to our generative AI experiment. One more time, my friend, you repeat yourself. So from five features, two of them are actually the same. Let's move on.

Duplicate Features

This feature appears to be identical to the enhanced dialog search capability mentioned earlier. The marketing materials seem to present the same functionality twice, which raises questions about the actual number of unique AI features available.

Feature #5: Google Lens Integration

What's shown in the video is that you take a picture of cake, let's say you write "near me," and you have access to Google Maps stores for selling this kind of cake. So this is not truly Google Maps - it's more Google Lens.

Testing Results

I gave it a try for you. I took a picture of a cake, I wrote "near me," and it didn't work. The bad thing is that I think this feature can really be feasible. The way I think it works is that once you took your picture, Google Maps is going to compare the image with the images from Google Maps pages. But for now, it's not working in my country.

Feature #6: Lens in Maps

By utilizing AI and augmented reality, you can get instant insights into your surroundings. This is what we have talked about regarding Live View. It's working, but there are still some little issues here and there. For example, Google Maps told you to turn left, but you definitely know that you have to go straight on. But other than that, this feature for me is a valid one.

The Geographic Divide: US vs Global Access

One of the most frustrating aspects of these Google Maps AI features is the geographic inequality. Features work perfectly in promotional videos filmed in major US cities but fail to deliver the same experience in Europe or other regions. This creates a two-tier system where the AI revolution in Google Maps is essentially limited to American users.

This isn't just about language barriers - it's about infrastructure, data availability, and Google's prioritization of different markets. For businesses and users outside the US, these AI features often remain more promise than reality.

Understanding this geographic divide is crucial for businesses looking to leverage Google Maps data for prospecting, as the reliability of AI-powered features varies significantly by location.

2025 Update: What Actually Changed

Since our original testing, Google has made significant strides with AI integration in Maps:

Major Improvements:

• Gemini 2.5 integration provides more accurate responses
• Ask About Place feature offers contextual information about locations
• Enhanced navigation with improved lane guidance
• Sustainable routing options for eco-conscious travelers
• Waymo integration for robotaxi access in supported cities

Continued Limitations:

• Most features still primarily US-focused
• International availability remains limited
• Indoor navigation still restricted
• Rural area coverage incomplete

Real Business Impact: Leveraging Google Maps Data

While the AI features may be inconsistent, the underlying Google Maps data remains incredibly valuable for businesses. Despite the limitations of these flashy AI tools, Google Maps contains rich business data that can be extracted and used effectively.

Practical Business Applications

For businesses looking to capitalize on Google Maps data without relying on experimental AI features, there are proven alternatives:

1. Lead Generation: Extracting email addresses from Google Maps remains one of the most effective methods for local lead generation.
2. Market Research: Understanding local business landscapes through data extraction rather than AI-powered insights.
3. Competitive Analysis: Analyzing competitor locations and customer reviews systematically.

Why Data Extraction Beats AI Features

Unlike experimental AI features, Google Maps data scraping provides:

• Consistent global availability
• Reliable, structured data
• No geographic restrictions
• Immediate business value

For businesses serious about using artificial intelligence for commercial prospecting, combining reliable data extraction with your own AI tools often proves more effective than waiting for Google's experimental features to mature.

FAQ: Common Questions About Google Maps AI

The Bottom Line

All right, that's it for our reality check. Again, what we have said only applies at the time of our testing. As we move into 2025, Google has made improvements, but significant limitations remain.

What Actually Works:

• Traffic prediction and basic route optimization
• Live View in major cities (outdoor areas only)
• Immersive View for famous landmarks
• Basic AI-powered search and recommendations

What Doesn't Work (Yet):

• Consistent global availability
• Indoor navigation and complex buildings
• Advanced conversational AI outside the US
• Rural area coverage for AI features

The Practical Alternative

While waiting for Google's AI features to mature globally, businesses can take a more pragmatic approach. Using proven data extraction methods to gather Google Maps information and then applying your own AI tools often provides better results than relying on experimental features.

The Future Outlook:

While artificial intelligence integration into Google Maps represents an exciting direction for navigation technology, we're still in the early stages. Many features are experimental, geographically limited, or simply don't work as advertised.

The key is managing expectations. These AI features aren't ready to replace traditional Google Maps functionality yet. They're supplementary tools that work sometimes, in some places, for some users.

As we move further into 2025, hopefully, Google will iron out these issues and make these features more universally available and reliable. Until then, it's important to approach these AI announcements with healthy skepticism and real-world testing.

For businesses that can't wait for experimental AI features to become reliable, proven data extraction methods remain the most effective way to leverage Google Maps for growth.