Google Maps is getting rid of its Follow feature. Henceforth, you’ll no longer be able to follow other users on the app. No one will be able to follow you either. If you had thousands of subscribers you could boast of before, or were watching many interesting people, all that data will be deleted. You don’t have to do anything on your end because the change will happen automatically by September 2025.
However, this update doesn’t affect your profile visibility. If your profile was public or restricted, it will remain as it was. Google says that you can still interact with people using Local Guides Connect, which is a separate platform for contributors. You’ll also still be able to create and share place lists within Maps.
No more following on Google Maps
I’ve never been an avid Google Maps contributor. My zero followers and zero following activity can attest to that. I’m sure Google is silently judging my profile every time I open the app. That said, I do have 44 contribution points (and counting) that I'm proud of. One chicken suya joint photo here and a random two-star review there has added up to make me a level two local guide.
Thankfully, Google is going to hide my shame permanently by removing the following feature in the coming days. They made the announcement in a community support post, explaining that the change will happen automatically, and you don’t have to lift a finger.
If you’ve never used the feature, the idea is just the same as any other platform driven by engagement. You could follow local guides, food reviewers, or prolific mappers whose recommendations you liked. Their reviews and other content would show up in your feed, helping you discover new places based on people you trusted.
To see your followers and followed accounts, open the Google Maps app. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Your Profile. Tap Following or Followers to see people you're connected to.
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Follow people unofficially with Local Guides Connect
The Follow feature on Maps was kind of like Instagram for navigation nerds. But apparently, not enough people were interested. It makes sense now that Google wants to retire the feature altogether. If you want to keep your connections, stick to Local Guides Connect.
Local Guides Connect is Google’s official online and web-based community for people who actively contribute to Google Maps, and you're known as Local Guides. You’ll share tips and stories about your Maps contributions, ask questions or get advice from other Guides, partake in global challenges and themed discussion threads, and learn about program updates directly from the Google Maps team.
Although it's tied to your Maps activity, Local Guides Connect is separate from it and more conversation-driven. You’ll need to log in again with the same Google account you use for Maps. If you haven't already, join the community to get started.
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