Google Maps testing new feature similar to social media reactions

Google Maps is testing a new feature that many users are already familiar with from other social media platforms — reactions on photos.

According to a report by Android Central, Google is experimenting with a photo reaction feature in its Maps app.

Currently, when you open a location on Google Maps, you see options like call, directions, and images. While users can view photos and videos or check reviews for more details, there hasn't been any way to react to a photo directly—until now.

The report explains that in the test version, if you long-press on an image, a reaction bar appears, allowing you to use various emojis—much like you would on Facebook or other social platforms. These include emojis such as a heart, fire, and others.

When you tap on a reaction, a small animation is triggered. For example, tapping the heart will cause a large animated heart to spin across the screen.

Google has not officially announced this feature yet, but it is expected to boost user engagement. With this update, users will be able to express their thoughts about a photo without having to write a full review, simply through a single tap.

However, there’s no confirmed timeline for when this feature will be rolled out to all users.