WebProNews

The knowledge that Mountain View is located on California’s western edge may not enrich your life, but it can add context to an article.  When we write about more remote places, geographical info is even more useful.  So it’s quite interesting that Google will soon unveil embeddable maps.

Embedding a map should become “as simple as cutting and pasting a bit of HTML code into your website, just like a YouTube video,” according to APC Magazine’s Dan Warne.  Furthermore, you won’t be stuck with a still, screenshot-like capture.  “The embedded maps have the full functionality of Google Maps - they provide satellite view, map view or hybrid view, and users can click and drag the maps around,” Warne continued.

I won’t promise that every WebProNews article will now feature a map; after all, we’re WebProNews, not “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.”  But look for various blogs and news sites to make much more frequent use of them.

Warne actually takes it a step further, writing, “The development has substantial ramifications for the web: any business will now be able to include a map of their location (or locations), and users going to their website will be able to get driving directions to the business in a couple of clicks.”

Google’s embeddable maps should become available in about a week.