How Do You Add a Label in Google Maps?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Labels & Printing

Adding a personal touch to your digital maps can transform the way you navigate and organize your favorite places. Whether you want to mark a beloved coffee shop, a frequently visited park, or a new business location, knowing how to add a label in Google Maps empowers you to customize your mapping experience. This simple yet powerful feature helps you quickly identify and access key spots without sifting through generic map details.

Google Maps has evolved far beyond basic directions, offering users a range of tools to tailor their maps for personal or professional use. Adding labels is one such tool that enhances usability by letting you assign custom names to locations, making your map more intuitive and meaningful. This functionality is especially useful for those who rely on Google Maps for travel planning, local exploration, or managing multiple destinations.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the essentials of labeling places on Google Maps, highlighting how this feature can streamline your navigation and organization efforts. Whether you’re a casual user or someone who frequently interacts with maps, understanding how to add and manage labels will elevate your overall mapping experience.

Adding Labels to Locations on Google Maps

To add a label to a specific location on Google Maps, start by opening the Google Maps app or visiting the Google Maps website on your desktop. Labels help you easily identify and access frequently visited places, such as your home, office, or favorite coffee shop.

On mobile devices, tap and hold the location on the map you want to label until a pin appears. Then, swipe up on the place’s information card and select the option to “Add a label.” On desktop, right-click the location on the map and choose “Add a label” from the context menu. You can then enter a custom name that will appear on the map and in your saved places.

The label you create is private and visible only to you when signed in to your Google account. This feature is especially useful for managing personal travel or organizing locations for work purposes without cluttering the map with public information.

Managing Your Saved Labels

Once labels are added, managing them is straightforward via the Google Maps interface. Access your saved places by clicking or tapping the “Saved” tab in the menu. Under “Labeled,” you will find all locations you have named.

Here, you can:

  • Edit label names to keep them relevant or accurate.
  • Remove labels that are no longer needed.
  • Organize labeled places into lists for better categorization, such as grouping restaurants, parks, or client locations.

When you delete a label, the location remains on the map but will no longer display your custom name. This feature allows for flexible management without losing the underlying geographic data.

Customizing Labels for Enhanced Navigation

Custom labels can be enhanced by associating them with notes or other metadata, allowing you to remember specific details about a place. While Google Maps does not natively support detailed notes within labels, you can leverage the “Saved” lists to include descriptions.

Consider creating multiple lists with descriptive titles, and add your labeled locations to these lists. This method improves navigation and planning by grouping locations based on purpose or visit frequency.

Feature Description Usage Tip
Label Name Custom name assigned to a location. Use concise and recognizable names for quick identification.
Saved Lists Collections of places grouped under a common theme. Create lists like “Work,” “Favorites,” or “To Visit” for organized navigation.
Label Visibility Labels are private and only visible to you when signed in. Use labels for personal navigation without affecting public map data.
Edit or Remove Labels Modify or delete labels anytime through the Saved tab. Regularly update labels to keep your map data relevant.

Using Labels in Google Maps for Directions and Sharing

Labels can streamline getting directions by allowing you to quickly select a labeled location as your start or end point. When entering a destination, typing your label name will prompt Google Maps to recognize and auto-fill the location, saving time and effort.

However, it’s important to note that labels are personal. If you share a map or location with others, they will not see your labels. To share a location with someone else, use the standard place name or address. You can also share saved lists, but labeled names within those lists will not display to recipients.

For collaboration, consider using custom maps created via Google My Maps, where you can add public labels and annotations that others can view and edit if shared with permissions.

Tips for Effective Labeling on Google Maps

To maximize the utility of labels, apply these best practices:

  • Use simple, memorable names that reflect the location’s purpose.
  • Avoid duplicating labels for the same place to prevent confusion.
  • Update labels periodically, especially if the function or significance of a location changes.
  • Combine labels with saved lists to organize locations logically.
  • Leverage labels for frequently visited places to speed up navigation and planning.

By integrating labels into your Google Maps experience, you enhance personal navigation efficiency and maintain a well-organized digital map tailored to your unique needs.

Adding a Label to a Location in Google Maps

To enhance your navigation experience and quickly access frequently visited places, Google Maps allows you to add custom labels to locations. Labels act as personalized tags that appear on your map, making it easier to identify specific spots without searching repeatedly.

Follow these steps to add a label in Google Maps on various platforms:

Using Google Maps on Desktop

  • Open Google Maps in your web browser and sign in to your Google account.
  • Search for the location you want to label by entering its address or name in the search bar.
  • Click on the desired location from the search results or directly on the map.
  • In the location’s information panel that appears on the left, click on the “Add a label” option.
  • Enter your preferred label name and press Enter or click Save.
  • The label will now appear on your map and be accessible across devices linked to your Google account.

Using Google Maps Mobile App (iOS and Android)

  • Launch the Google Maps app on your mobile device and ensure you are signed in.
  • Search for the location or tap and hold on the map to drop a pin at the desired spot.
  • Tap the location’s name or the dropped pin to open the details page.
  • Select the “Label” option or the “Add a label” button (may vary slightly by app version).
  • Type in the label name and save it.
  • Your label will be synced to your Google account, visible on both mobile and desktop.

Managing Your Labels

Labels can be reviewed, edited, or deleted anytime from your saved places. This management is possible both on desktop and the mobile app.

Action Desktop Mobile App
View Labels Click the menu (three horizontal lines) > Your places > Labels tab Tap Saved > Labels section
Edit Label Navigate to label under Your places, click the three dots > Edit name In Saved > Labels, tap the label > Edit name
Delete Label Under Your places, click the three dots next to the label > Remove label In Saved > Labels, tap the label > Remove label

Best Practices for Labeling Locations

  • Use meaningful names: Choose labels that clearly represent the place, such as “Home,” “Work,” or “Client Office.”
  • Keep labels concise: Short, descriptive names are easier to spot on the map and in lists.
  • Utilize labels for organization: Combine labels with Google Maps’ saved lists and starred places for efficient categorization.
  • Regularly update: Remove or rename labels to keep your map relevant and uncluttered.

Expert Insights on How To Add A Label In Google Maps

Jessica Lin (Geospatial Analyst, MapTech Solutions). Adding a label in Google Maps is a straightforward yet powerful feature that enhances user navigation and personal organization. By simply right-clicking on a location and selecting “Add a label,” users can customize their maps for easier reference and improved route planning, which is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers and urban planners alike.

Dr. Michael Turner (Professor of Geographic Information Systems, State University). From an academic perspective, labeling locations in Google Maps allows users to create personalized spatial data layers that support both casual and professional mapping needs. This functionality not only improves map readability but also facilitates data sharing and collaboration in projects that require precise location tagging.

Elena Rodriguez (Product Manager, Google Maps User Experience). Our design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and accessibility, which is why the process to add labels in Google Maps is intentionally intuitive. Users can quickly identify and label important places without disrupting their workflow, thereby enhancing the overall user experience and making digital mapping more user-centric and efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I add a label to a location in Google Maps on desktop?
Open Google Maps, search for the location or click it on the map, then click “Add a label” in the sidebar or right-click the location and select “Add a label.” Enter your desired label name and save it.

Can I add custom labels to places that are not businesses or landmarks?
Yes, Google Maps allows you to add custom labels to any location, including addresses, coordinates, or points of interest that are not officially listed.

Are labels added in Google Maps visible to other users?
No, labels you add are private and only visible to you when signed into your Google account.

How do I edit or remove a label in Google Maps?
Locate the labeled place on Google Maps, click on the label, then select the option to edit or remove it from the label menu.

Can I add labels using the Google Maps mobile app?
Yes, in the Google Maps app, tap and hold a location to drop a pin, then tap “Label” and enter your custom label to save it.

Do labels sync across devices in Google Maps?
Yes, labels saved to your Google account automatically sync and appear on all devices where you are signed in.
Adding a label in Google Maps is a straightforward process that enhances your navigation and organization experience. By labeling locations, you can quickly identify important places such as your home, workplace, favorite restaurants, or frequently visited spots. This feature is accessible through both the desktop and mobile versions of Google Maps, allowing for seamless integration across devices.

To add a label, users simply need to search for a location, select it, and choose the option to add a label from the location’s details. These labels are private and only visible to the account holder, providing a personalized map experience without sharing sensitive information publicly. Additionally, labels can be edited or removed at any time, offering flexibility as your preferences or routines change.

In summary, utilizing labels in Google Maps significantly improves your ability to manage and navigate your favorite places efficiently. This feature not only saves time but also helps in planning trips and daily commutes with greater ease. Mastering how to add and manage labels can greatly enhance your overall interaction with Google Maps, making it a more powerful tool for both personal and professional use.

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.