Nonprofits, truck drivers, food banks, and others are turning to a little-known Google Maps feature to navigate life amid the coronavirus pandemic

Google Maps.Getty/ Future Publishing / Contributor

• Google has a feature called My Maps that allows people to create custom maps.
• Since the COVID-19 outbreak, people have found creative ways to use maps.
• They're using maps to represent information visually, like locations of hand washing stations.
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Google's popular Google Maps location app has had the option to make custom maps since 2007, but the feature is seeing a resurgence now in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

My Maps lets the creator add locations, import data from spreadsheets, and embed text, photos, and videos. Multiple people can collaborate on maps, and they can be published online, too.

A Google spokesperson told Business Insider that My Maps has seen a surge in users over the past four months. People and organizations are using the tool to create community resources, directing people in need to food banks, clinics, and other information that they need. Google also has some tips for making a custom map here.

These are some of the ways people have used My Maps in communities around the world.