How to create custom place lists in Google Maps

If you use Google Maps daily to get around your city or to plan getaways, the custom lists of places They can change your life. They're not just for saving your favorite bars and restaurants; they're also ideal for organizing trips, planning routes, and sharing your best discoveries with others. Used properly, they turn Google Maps into a kind of interactive travel planner, always at hand on your phone or computer.

In this guide you will learn how to create custom place lists in Google MapsSave them, organize them, share them, collaborate with friends, and even get the most out of them with advanced tricks (like using emojis, sorting by priority, or accessing them offline). Everything is explained step by step, but in a friendly and practical way so you can start using them in minutes.

What exactly are Google Maps listings and what are they used for?

Within Google Maps, the lists are collections of saved sites that you create and manage yourself. Each list groups locations on the map: they can be restaurants, hotels, museums, parks, shops, or any other point that appears on the platform, with no limit on type or category.

Google Maps already includes several predefined lists out of the box, such as Favorites, Want to go, Highlights and Travel plansThese are useful for getting started quickly, but the real power lies in the fact that you can create your own lists with the name, description, and privacy settings you want, fully adapting them to your way of traveling or getting around your city.

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These lists can be private, shared, or publicPrivate lists are visible only to you; shared lists allow anyone with the link to view them; and public lists are visible from your profile or even in Google Maps searches. There are also collaborative lists where other users can add or edit places, perfect for planning group trips.

The most common use is the travel planningYou save everything you want to visit (restaurants, viewpoints, activities, shops, etc.), add notes and comments, and see it all at a glance on the map. But they also work great for organizing your day-to-day life, like lists of cafes to study in, frequented places (gym, work, school), errands, or ideas for future getaways.

Differences between Google Maps listings and custom maps

Many people confuse Google Maps listings with My Maps custom maps, but although they look similar, they are not exactly the sameLists are faster and lighter: they are integrated directly into the Google Maps app, can be accessed from the Saved tab, and are designed for everyday use on your mobile device without complications.

Custom maps (Google My Maps) allow layers, custom icons, and complex pathsHowever, they are heavier and less convenient for everyday use. Lists, on the other hand, focus on letting you save places in seconds, consult them on the fly, toggle their display on the map, and share them with one or two taps.

Types of lists and privacy options

When creating a new list, Google Maps lets you choose the name, description, and privacy levelThis last point is key to deciding who can see and, in some cases, edit the list.

The main privacy options These are the settings, both on computer and mobile:

• PrivateOnly you can see that list within your account. It's ideal for personal lists, travel notes, workplaces, or addresses you don't want to show anyone else.
• Shared via linkThe list isn't public to everyone, but anyone who receives the link can access it. Depending on how you configure sharing, those people may be able to view or even edit the list.
• Public (publicly shared list)The list may be visible on your public Google Maps profile and, in some cases, appear in search results. It's useful for city ​​guides or open recommendations that you want to share.

In the lists you share, you can manage who can editThis allows, for example, your friends and family to add more places or move things within the list, while you maintain control of the overall settings.

How to create a custom list in Google Maps?

Creating a list is very simple and can be done from both the web version and the mobile app. The general idea is always the same: Go to the Saved section and choose the new list option, or start from the first place you want to save and generate the list from there.

Create a list from your computer

If you're on a computer, the main flow Creating a new list is very straightforward and is repeated in virtually all official Google guides:

1. Opens Google Maps in your browser and sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
2. Click on the menu Saved which you will see on the left side of the screen.
3. In the upper right corner of the lists section, click on New list or New list (depending on the language you have configured).
4. Write a name and a description that clearly define the purpose of that list: for example, “Tapas restaurants in Madrid” or “What to see in Rome in 4 days”.
5. Define the list privacy (private, shared or public) and, if the option appears, the type of list (personal, group, public).
6. Click on Save to create the list. From that moment on, you can start adding places.

This method is Perfect if you want to create the structure of your lists before you start saving sites in bulk.

Create a list from your mobile device (Android or iOS)

On mobile, the process is just as quick, with the advantage that you have your geolocation and the app always at handTo create lists from your smartphone, you can follow this flow:

1. Open the app Google Maps on your phone.
2. touch the tab Saved on the bottom bar.
3. Scroll down to the section Your lists and click on New list.
4. Enter a name, a brief description, and choose whether it will be private, shared or publicIn some versions, it also lets you check if you want customize the order of the elements of the list.
5. If you want, you can press the button + to add a site to the list right then and there, although it's not mandatory.
6. Save the list and you'll have it available in the Saved section to edit again whenever you want.

You can also create lists on the go from your mobile device while exploring the map or visiting places. Simply... enter the information page of a place, click on Save and choose the option of + New list to generate a collection from that first point.

How do I save places to my lists?

Creating the list is just the first step; the interesting part comes when you start to fill it with placesGoogle Maps gives you several ways to do this, both from the map and from the list itself.

Save a place from its map listing

The fastest way It starts with the place you want to save. Every time you find an interesting place, you can do the following:

1. Look for the location on Google Maps or tap it directly on the map to open its entry.
2. Tap or click the button Save which appears at the top of the card.
3. A window will open with all your lists: select the list where you want to save the site or choose New list if you want to create one from scratch at that moment.
4. If you change your mind later, you can go back to the card, tap on Saved and uncheck the list in question to remove that place of the collection.

This workflow works on both desktop and mobile, and it's the one you use most naturally when you're discovering new places on the map or by reading reviews.

Add multiple places from the list itself

Another very convenient way to work, especially if you're planning a trip, is to go into one of your lists and directly use the option to Add that you will find inside:

1. Go to Saved in Google Maps and open the list you want to work on.
2. Below the name and description, you'll see several buttons; tap or click on them. Add.
3. A search bar will appear so that locate the point of interest that you want to incorporate (a restaurant, a beach, a museum…).
4. Select the site and it will be added instantly to the list you are operating from.
5. If you prefer, you can also continue using the button Save in the details of each site and choose the corresponding list there.

This method is ideal when you want group many sites at once in a single list, for example, when preparing a whole trip or when compiling the best bars in your neighborhood.

View, show, or hide your lists on the map

One of the best things about this system is that all saved sites appear on the map with a highlighted iconThis way, you can see your favorites at a glance. However, when you have many lists, it can all get a bit overwhelming, so Google Maps includes options to hide or show specific lists.

To view your lists from your computer, you just have to Open Google Maps and click SavedFrom there you can open any list and see its locations. If you want to adjust how it's displayed on the map, do this:

1. Open Google Maps on your computer.
2. Click on the menu Saved.
3. Find the list you want to modify and click on More (the three dots) next to your name.
4. Choose between Hide on map o show on map to turn your saved sites icons on or off.

In this way you can, for example, hide all places already visited to focus on what you still want to see, or turn off the food and shopping lists when you only want to see monuments and activities. On mobile, the process is very similar: go to Saved, find the list, and turn it on or off.

Edit and organize your lists like a pro

Once your list starts to fill up, that's when it's a good time to dedicate some time to order it and personalize it so that it is truly useful during your trip or in your daily life.

Change the list name, description, and cover image

At any time you can edit name and description from a list to make them clearer, or to adapt their approach as your plans change:

1. Open Google Maps on your computer or mobile device and go to Saved.
2. Enter the list you want to modify.
3. Press on More or on the button Edit List that you will see at the top.
4. Click on the name or description to update them to your liking.
5. Save the changes; Google Maps usually records them automatically.

In the mobile app, you can also choose a cover photo for each location within the list. By default, several images taken from the site's listing are displayed, but you can select the one you like best using the "Choose photo" option, making the overall view of the list much clearer and more visual.

Add detailed notes and comments

Each element of the list accepts personalized notes of up to 4.000 charactersThis is perfect for noting what to order at a restaurant, recommended opening hours, approximate prices, access tips, or any other useful information for both you and the people you share the list with.

To add or change a note, go to the list, locate the place, and tap the text box that appears below the addressThere you can write whatever you want: the information will be saved automatically and will remain visible whenever you open the list.

Reorder and customize the order of the places

If you have a lot of points saved, you should organize them according to a logical criterion: by priority, by travel day, by zone, or by activity typeGoogle Maps allows you to easily customize this order:

1. Enter the list you want to organize.
2. Activate the mode Customize list order (in some versions it appears as a switch under the description).
3. Once activated, you can drag each element by pressing and holding the three-dot icon next to your name.
4. Arrange the sites in the order that best suits you and exit editing; the new arrangement will be saved.

This way you can prepare, for example, a list where the places are already included. ordered by the route you will take in the cityOptimizing time and travel without having to improvise on the fly.

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Remove sites or delete entire lists

If a place ceases to interest you or you've simply changed your plans, the best thing to do is clean up your lists to keep them updated. There are two levels of cleaning: removing specific sites or deleting the entire list.

To remove loose spots, you can do so from the option of Edit List or, in many cases, directly from the place's information page:

• Enter the list, tap on Edit and use the X next to the name from the location or the Remove/Delete button.
• Or open the site on the map, tap on Saved and uncheck the list where you no longer want it to appear.

If you need delete an entire list, the process is simple:

1. Open Google Maps on your computer or mobile device.
2. Go to Saved and locate the list you want to delete.
3. Press on More (three dots) and choose the option Delete list or Delete list.
4. Confirm the action and it will disappear along with all its associated sites (although the places will still exist on Google Maps, of course).

Share your lists and collaborate with others

One of the great advantages of lists is that you can easily share them with other peopleThis is especially useful when you want to send your recommendations for a city, organize a group trip, or simply share all the restaurants you've loved with a friend.

Options for sharing lists from your computer

In versión webThe standard process for sharing lists is this:

1. Opens Google Maps on your computer and log in.
2. Click on the menu Saved and locate the list you want to share.
3. Next to the list, click on More (three points).
4. Select option Send link to view or similar, to generate a link that you can send by email, chat, social media, etc.
5. En Sharing options You can decide who can find your lists and how: Private mode or Shared via link.

Remember that featured places (A specific Google category) cannot be shared, but the rest of the custom lists can. In "Shared" mode, anyone with the link can view them, and if you enable shared editing, they can also add or modify items.

Share lists and enable collaborative editing

On mobile the concept is similar: you open the list, tap on Share and you choose whether to generate a read-only link or allow the other person to edit as well. Collaborative editing is ideal for organize group tripssince each participant can add the bars, museums or activities that they like.

In the sharing options you can also manage who can editYou can usually enable or disable the "Allow editing" option. If at any point you no longer trust certain changes, simply disable this capability or leave the list as visible only.

Follow lists created by other people

When someone shares a list you love with you, you can follow her to always have it accessible from your account. This way, your saved sites will also appear within your Saved section and, sometimes, as suggested locations on your map.

1. Open the list that has been shared with you.
2. At the top, click on Continue to add it to the group of lists you follow.
3. If you ever want to unfollow her, log back in and tap on Following to deactivate it.

This feature is perfect for use Lists of creators, local guides, or fellow travelers without having to copy site by site, keeping all your recommendations grouped together.

Advanced tricks: emojis, categories, and priority system

Beyond the official functions, many users have developed creative methods for better organizing your listsOne of the most interesting involves using emojis and colors to classify sites according to type and priority.

For example, you can create three major categories Create lists based on the emoji's shape: one for activities (monuments, museums, parks, plans), another for food (restaurants, cafes, supermarkets), and another for shopping (stores, shopping centers, souvenirs). From there, create color variations to indicate priority level: essential, maybe, visited, favorite, etc.

A typical system could be divided into a few 12 custom lists, such as:

• Activities – ESSENTIAL
• Activities – MAYBE
• Activities – VISITED
• Activities – FAVORITE
• Food – ESSENTIAL
• Food – VISITED
• Shopping – ESSENTIAL

By combining the shape and color of emojis in names, when looking at the map you can quickly distinguish the type of place and its priorityFurthermore, by hiding or showing entire lists, you can instantly disable visited sites to clean up the map, or focus only on activities and hide food and purchases.

This system works especially well on mobile, although some desktop browsers may still have slight limitations with custom emojis. Even so, it's incredibly helpful. a visually clean and very easy-to-interpret map.

Predefined lists and recommended uses

In addition to custom lists, it makes a lot of sense to take advantage of the Google Maps predefined listsreusing them with some discernment so as not to waste them:

• FavoritesPerfect for important places you go to often, such as home, work, gym, school, or transport stations.
• With starIt can work very well as list of errands or things "to do today": cafes to try, park entrances, luggage storage, post office, etc.
• I wanna go: excellent as inboxwhere you save any place that catches your eye, and later you rank it in the final list.
• Travel plans: ideal for storing countries and cities you want to visit someday, as a collectible of future destinations.

To that you can add personalized lists by theme (for example, Halloween, Christmas lights, activities with children, cafes with power outlets for working, etc.) and reserve them for your "home" map, where you usually accumulate more points and need extra organization.

Use lists to navigate and create routes

Lists aren't just for saving places like a notepad. From each place you've added, you can start navigation and, in addition, combine them into linked routes.

To go to a place from your list, Do the following:

1. Open the Google Maps app and go to Saved.
2. Choose the list that you want to use.
3. Choose the site from that list and click on How to get to.
4. Configure your mode of transport (car, public transport, walking, cycling…) and start navigating.

If you would like to Visit multiple sites from a list in one dayYou can create a route by adding a first point and then adding additional stops. Google Maps will calculate the most efficient way to get from one to the other, saving you time and hassle.

View your lists offline by downloading maps

In many travel situations, you might not have a good data connection. Although the lists are saved in the cloud, you can Prepare offline maps so that we can continue using them.

To do this, on your mobile phone do the following before you run out of internet:

1. Make sure you have a good connection and you are logged into your account from Google in the Maps app.
2. Search for the city or area you want to download from.
3. At the bottom, click on the site name and then on More > Download offline map.
4. Adjust the size of the area you want to save and tap on Download.

If instead of a city you have searched for a specific place (for example, a restaurant), you can also access its listing and, from More > Download offline mapDownload the surrounding area. Once downloaded, you will be able to View your lists and navigate through that area. even without coverage, within the limits of the downloaded map.

Frequently Asked Questions about Google Maps Lists

How do I start creating place lists in Google Maps?

To begin, go to Google Maps (web or app), then go to the section Saved and click on New listGive it a name, add a short description, and choose whether you want it to be private, shared, or public. From there, you can add places using the Save button for each site or from the list itself using the Add option.

What are the advantages of using lists to organize trips?

Google Maps listings allow group destinations and points of interest In a highly visual way, you can add notes with schedules, prices, or recommendations, mark which sites are priorities, and share the entire plan with your travel companions. This way, you avoid missing important places and always have a flexible and easy-to-consult itinerary at hand.

How do I add places to a custom list?

You can do it in two ways: by searching for the place on the map, or by going to its information page and tapping on it. Save to select the list; or by opening the list, using the button Add and search from there for the places you want to add. You can create a new list at any time from that same save box.

Can I share my lists and let others edit them?

If you can share Google Maps lists generating a link. In the sharing options, you decide whether the list will be private, shared via link, or public. You can also allow other users to edit the list, adding or modifying places—very useful for collaborative group trip planning.

How do I sort, edit, or delete items from my lists?

From option Edit List You can change the name, description, and order of places, as well as add or modify detailed notes. You can also activate custom sort mode to drag and drop places into different ordering modes. To delete items, select them and use the Remove option, or open the place and uncheck the list using the Saved button.

What does it mean to configure the privacy settings of a list?

Privacy determines who can view or edit The list. If you leave it private, only you will have access. If you mark it as shared via link, anyone who receives that link will be able to view it and, if you allow it, edit it. In public mode, the list can appear on your profile or in some Google Maps results, becoming an open guide for other users.

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Using custom lists in Google Maps is one of those small habits that, once you incorporate it, They greatly simplify the way you travel and get around.You save everything that interests you, organize it your way, share it when needed, and always have it there, ready to turn any impromptu outing into a well-organized plan. Share this guide to creating custom places lists in Google Maps.