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If you use Google Maps on your phone, then you can get your Google Maps Timeline showing the places you’ve been. Google can show your travels according to the day, month, and year. You can review, for example, all the places you went to last year and relive fond memories of wonderful trips or see where you went on a specific day.
You may find this information interesting. Or you may be creeped out by being tracked and decide to change your Google Maps settings to prevent Google retaining your location history.
Google Maps Timeline
If you use Google Maps a lot, you may have recently received an email from Google offering to show you your Timeline for the past year. That email contains a link to your Timeline, but if you didn’t receive the email, or have deleted it already, you can check out your Timeline by clicking or tapping on this link:
Your Timeline email may show you interesting stats about your travels, such as how much time you spend in the car, how many cities, places, and countries you’ve visited, which trip was the furthest from home, and which trip lasted the longest.
Have an iPhone? Don’t miss => The Creepiest or Coolest iPhone Feature You Didn’t Know About — And How to Opt Out
On your Timeline you may also be able to see which places you visited the most, including favorite stores, restaurants, bars, and museums. You can see a ranking of your most visited places and learn fun information such as how many times you went to the gym last year.
View all of your visited places both on a map and in a list.
In your Timeline, you can change the dates to view your travels from past years. Use the drop-down menu to choose the year, month, and day you want to view. You can also choose All time to see your travels beginning from when you first used Google Maps.
Changing Your Location History Settings
All of this location information in your Google Maps Timeline may be fascinating, creepy, or both. As interesting as seeing your location history may be, you may also realize how Google has been tracking your location and may not be entirely comfortable with that realization.
If you’re not concerned by Google tracking your location, then you can go continue to review your Timeline (perhaps after voting in the poll below, leaving a comment below, and/or sharing this article on social media…) and not worry about changing your Location History settings.
But if you’re uncomfortable with the knowledge that Google is tracking your location then you may want to review and change your Location History settings in Google.
Google Maps needs to know your location in order to help guide you to your destination. But you don’t have to allow Google to track your location constantly, you can restrict location permission for Google Maps to only when you’re using the app on your phone.
Also, you can turn off Location History in Google so that Google does not keep a record of the places you’ve been. That way you can use Google Maps but not allow Google to create a Timeline of your past travels.
Google Maps offers a link to your Location History settings within your Timeline so you can review and/or change your settings.
You can learn more about turning off your Google location history settings in => How to REALLY Turn Off Google Location History.
Poll
Do you enjoy seeing the Google Map Timeline history of your travels? Vote in The Wonder of Tech poll to share your opinion:
Your Thoughts
Do you use Google Maps to guide you to places? Have you checked out your Google Maps Timeline? Were you surprised by any of the information your Timeline showed? Have you changed your Location History settings in Google Maps?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Road Trip image (edited) courtesy of Iain Merchant via Flickr and Creative Commons
I don’t know how to react about this. It’s cool they can do something like that, but in the same time that scared me out 😀 I wondering what else do they know about us.. Thinking about that makes me feel weird.
Hi Bintang, Yes, the Timeline can be cool showing you where you’ve been, and creepy showing that your location is being tracked. Change your settings in Google Maps if you decide it’s better not to be tracked.
I am sure that this could be really useful, but it also does make you realise that everyone is trackable these days, and that your movements are not private.
Hi Jo, You’re exactly right, Timeline does show that your location is being tracked by Google. If you don’t find this information helpful, you can turn off your Location History using the link within your Timeline.
Creepy or cool. Maybe a bit of both?
Hi Claire, Exactly. Like most tech tools, Google Maps Timeline is a double-edged sword. Seeing your travel history can be fascinating, but also serves as a reminder that Google knows where you’ve been. The good news is that you can change your settings if you’re uncomfortable with what you wee on your Timeline.
I use Google Maps all the time, especially when travelling abroad. Never checked Google maps Timeline before reading your article. This is such a cool way to see the history of my travel. Thanks
Hi Andrea, I’m so glad you enjoyed reviewing your Google Maps Timeline. It can reveal a fascinating personal history and perhaps bring back some wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Andrea.
Whilst cool on one level, reading about data scandals such as cambridge analytica etc. it makes me dubious about G’s intentions. I read your article on G lens picking up words in pictures, its only a few steps away from tracking your face and location. Too creepy for me, appreciate the heads up though, will def turn it off!
Hi Liam, You’re right, facial recognition tracking is extremely creepy and it certainly seems as if Google Lens is one step away from that by being able to search for words in photos. Google Photos Now Lets You Search for Words in Photos
We do need to be mindful of our privacy as we use these “free” tech tools, the cost of our privacy may be too high of a price to pay.
Hi Carolyn,
It is really a cool feature in which Google has been introduced. Our parents will be notified where we are by using this feature. I think there is a setting too to change our settings if we don’t like to be tracked.
And also there is a spelling mistake in the URL of this link. I just wanted to update you about this.
Thanks.
Hi Cheryl, If your parents have access to your Google account, then they could view your Timeline. But Google does not make your Timeline public. You can turn off Location History if you don’t want your Timeline to be available in your account.
Which link was broken? I checked them and haven’t found a typo in a link in this article.
Hi Carolyn, Thanks for your reply!
This is the link in which Google Maps spelled as ‘gppgle’
https://wonderoftech.com/gppgle-maps-timeline/
Thanks, Cheryl. My mistake, I created that URL and misspelled “Google.” Silly me! I appreciate you letting me know. I’ll be more careful in the future.
While I found this information to be really cool, I think I found it a bit more creepy lol.
I immediately changed my location settings to only track while using the app.
But, I do think it is also interesting that they are at least sharing this information with the general public. This transparency of information is slightly comforting, but it does make you think “what else can they do?”
Thanks for the article – very interesting!
Hi Cooper, Your Google Timeline isn’t public, only you (and anyone who has access to your Google account) can see your Timeline, according to Google.
Good point. If Google is tracking your location, they have access to a lot of information about you. What they do with that information is a good question to ask.
I never knew that Google Maps has such an important feature! Thank you!
Hi Mihai, Yes, this feature is important, and it’s also important to turn off this feature if you would prefer not to have it available. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
I first heard about google map timeline a year ago. Now, I check it every single month. It’s interesting how it wraps up my complete month in front of me. Though I won’t like my momm to see my timelines ::))
Hi Kamran, That’s great you check your Timeline every month. It’s an interesting way to see where you’ve been.
Your mother shouldn’t be able to see your Timeline unless she has access to your Google account.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for sharing such a good information. Google maps has been my friend since my first android phone. I just love the way it interacts with users. Its location and tracking is very accurate. I like to see my location history just for fun very often.
Hello Jack, That’s great you’ve been using Google Maps for such a long time. You probably have a long Google Maps Timeline that shows where you’ve been. I’m glad you enjoy reviewing your Timeline, Jack. I hope it brings back many joyful memories for you.
I rarely use this tool. I knew these Google guys are very creepy and you’d be alarmed at the amount of information they’re extracting from you at every possible opportunity with these kind of tools.
Hi Emmanuel, Yes, when we stop to consider all of the personal information we share in exchange for Google’s “free” services we should wonder whether the bargain we’re making is worth it.
I use Google maps all the time. It’s so easy with voice control too but it still creeps me out when Google ask me “How did you find your visit?”. They’re always watching!
Hi Rob, Yes, Google is always watching, and this feature is an important reminder of that. We are definitely trading privacy for convenience with Google.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for taking the time to write this post.
Just the other day I was looking at my timeline for Google maps and was astonished at how accurate it actually is!
I’m sure if I’m more frightened or amazed at the technology.
The bad thing is it shows us how routine we are with our daily adventures to and from work!
Thanks again and looking forward to the next post 🙂
Hi Daniel, Yes, seeing where we’ve been can be both cool and creepy. If you aren’t okay with it, you can turn off this feature from Google.
Good point, we may see that we need to expand our horizons when we take a look at where we’ve been over time. Maybe your Google Maps Timeline could inspire a new adventure!