Waze Place Editing: Guidelines for Improving Usability
Three important points have been summarized to improve Waze’s search accuracy and optimize visibility on Android Auto and within the app. Please use these as a reference when editing.
Linking “External Providers (Google Maps)”
[Important] Voice Command (Android Auto) Support and Preventing Misrouting
- Action: When creating a Place, always register the corresponding “Google Maps Place” in the External Provider field.
- Benefits:
- Hands-free Support: Without this registration, voice destination setting via “OK Google” on Android Auto will not function correctly.
- Prevents Duplicate Search Results: This prevents the Waze Place and the automatically retrieved Google Place from appearing twice.
- Maintaining Routing Accuracy: Without a link, the location information from Google takes priority, which can cause the “Entry Point” set in Waze to be ignored, leading to routing through back alleys.
Distinguishing Between “Area” and “Point”
[Important] Conditions for Displaying (Rendering) on the Map
The Waze app has specifications to prevent map clutter; Areas will not be rendered on the map while driving unless they are a certain size or larger.
- Display Conditions for Areas: A size of approximately 500 m² or more (with sides of at least 30m–50m) is required.
- Typical for: Convenience stores, large commercial facilities, gas stations, parks, etc.
If you want a location to be recognized as a landmark while driving, please create it as an Area using this size as a guide.
- Typical for Points: Single-family homes, tenants inside malls, office suites, etc.
- Since small facilities created as Areas will not appear on the map anyway, registering them as Points is recommended (they will still appear in search results).
Creating Parking Lot Roads and “Entry Points”
[Important] Accurate Navigation to Parking Lot Entrances
- Action: Draw the roads within the parking lot around the facility thoroughly. If the building and parking lot are on the same site, set Entry Points at each entrance. Also, check the “Parking Lot” box.
- Benefits: This prevents issues where users are guided to the back of a facility or into narrow alleys. Checking the “Parking Lot” box also suppresses the display of unnecessary nearby parking pins upon arrival at the destination.
- It allows drivers to be guided accurately to the “parking lot entrance.”
To all editors, thank you for your cooperation in making the Japan map even more user-friendly!