Google Earth now lets you design virtual tours, create map-based stories

Google Earth is adding new features that allow anyone to create maps and stories on the platform.

The company announcing on Wednesday the new features it said will allow users “Easily create and share your discoveries and stories about our world with friends, students or co-workers”.

While the tools are only available on the Google Earth website for now (and not in the Android or iOS apps), the stories themselves will be available to view anywhere, including on phones, tablets, and laptops.

Google Earth brings news

Using the new creation tools in Google Earth, users can draw their own placemarks, lines, and shapes. Then attach your own custom text, images, and videos to these locations.

They can also organize their story into a narrative and collaborate with others to create the experience before sharing it online.

“By clicking the new “Present” button, your audience will be able to fly from one place to another in your personalized Google Earth narrative”, the developers said.

The new feature is an expansion of the "Voyager" program that originally launched two years ago as part of the company's plans to “Infusing the world with stories from the best storytellers on the planet”.

It incorporated guided tours from top researchers, environmentalists, and scientific organizations, including BBC Earth, Jane Goodall, Sesame Street, and NASA.

After pulling Google+ earlier this year, following massive data leaks affecting millions of users, Google has been on a quest to add "social" features to many of its established apps and services as of late.

One such example is the company's recent announcement of an upcoming Google Maps feature. It is said to help users discover new places with the help of leading "Local Guides" in various cities, including the major capitals of the world.

The new Google Earth feature appears to be another step in that direction. What do you think of this new feature of Google Earth? Discretionary comments below.