Simplified addresses

Plus Codes. © Google.

Google has added a feature to its Maps service for mobile devices to quickly and easily obtain a 7-character code for any location on earth. For example, Spiria’s offices in Montreal can be found at G9MJ+77. These “Plus Codes” were originally developed for countries where it is common for streets and houses to have no names or numbers, making it difficult to find places. Plus Codes provide a reliable, accurate numerical address for those with no official address and ease the work of emergency and delivery services. According to Google, over 2 billion people in the world have no address, or have an address that is hard to find. While this coding system is not exactly new (Google starting implementing it in 2018), it is now easier to access: just click on the blue positional icon in Google Maps.

⇨ YouTube, “Addressing underserved urban communities in Kolkata.”

⇨ The Verge, Jon Porter, “Google Maps makes it easier to share your location without an address.”