# Waze Map Editor/Welcome
**URL:** https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor-welcome/377482
**Category:** SouthAfrica Wazeopedia
**Created:** [September 23, 2018, 8:01am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor-welcome/377482 "2018-09-23T08:01:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@SouthAfrica\_Wazeopedia1](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/SouthAfrica_Wazeopedia1)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2018, 8:01am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor-welcome/377482/1 "2018-09-23T08:01:17Z")
- New Editors
- [Glossary](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Glossary?redlink=1 "Glossary (page does not exist)")
- [FAQ](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Frequently_Asked_Questions_(FAQ)?redlink=1 "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (page does not exist)")
- [Waze Map Editor](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor/377484 "Waze Map Editor")
- [Manual](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Editing_manual?redlink=1 "Editing manual (page does not exist)")
- [Country guides](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/USA?redlink=1 "USA (page does not exist)")
- [Forum](http://www.waze.com/forum/index.php)
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| You can bring up comments or questions about this in
[](http://www.waze.com//forum/viewtopic.php?f=276&t=108515&view=unread#unread) [_ **"New and prospective editors" portal** forum topic_](http://www.waze.com//forum/viewtopic.php?f=276&t=108515). |
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| Essentials |
- [Permalink](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor/377484#Permalink "Waze Map Editor")
- [Quick Start](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide?redlink=1 "Map Editing Quick-start Guide (page does not exist)")
- [Best practices](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_map_editing_practice?redlink=1 "Best map editing practice (page does not exist)")
- [Common mistakes](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Common_editing_mistakes?redlink=1 "Common editing mistakes (page does not exist)")
- [Your area manager](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/How_to_find_your_area_manager?redlink=1 "How to find your area manager (page does not exist)")
- [cheat sheet](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8WbeRGWGEOjQ1BvbHFtYlJSV2pIOVdyQlgtRmJzQUtHNjRz)
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| Tools |
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/keyboard-shortcuts/377445 "Keyboard shortcuts")
- [Magic](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools?redlink=1 "Community Plugins, Extensions and Tools (page does not exist)")
- [Toolbox](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools?redlink=1 "Community Plugins, Extensions and Tools (page does not exist)")
- [Color Highlighter](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools?redlink=1 "Community Plugins, Extensions and Tools (page does not exist)")
- [Chat addon](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools?redlink=1 "Community Plugins, Extensions and Tools (page does not exist)")
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| Assisted Edits |
- [Unlock Forum](http://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=622)
- [US road closures](http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=102605)
- [Non-US road closures](http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=815&t=76775)
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Our motto is [“Usability, Simplicity, Retention”](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_map_editing_practice?redlink=1 "Best map editing practice (page does not exist)"). Make it useful, keep it simple, and do not delete. You are about to join a community working together to improve wazers’ drives by improving the Waze map. You have probably figured out that you have the power to tremendously improve wazers’ commutes. To do that, just start simple, learn the basic principles, and connect with the community.
Waze is an app that helps its users avoid traffic while navigating to their destinations. It relies on a map suitable for a small smart-phone screen. It needs a map that accurately represents where motor vehicles can drive, is simple and uncluttered, and retains the road segments with the traffic data.
## Before you get started
- Understand there are guidelines to help you make edits that will improve the map. The editing videos in the app don’t tell the whole story. Every edit you make can make a big difference to a lot of wazers. Do not delete roads. Only make edits that follow the principles of good waze map editing – [usability, simplicity, and retention.](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_map_editing_practice?redlink=1 "Best map editing practice (page does not exist)")
- Be prepared to see your changes to roads go live at the next tile update.
- Be prepared to wait for approval on your place changes until you reach level 2. New places appear at the next tile update, but place updates go live as soon as they are approved.
- Watch the [status updates](http://status.waze.com/) to see when tile updates happen. [Tile updates](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/FAQ?redlink=1 "FAQ (page does not exist)") happen frequently – usually every 1 to 3 days anywhere in the world.
- [Register an account and set a password](https://support.google.com/waze/answer/6073202?hl=en&ref_topic=6049902)
- [If your username begins with **usa\_** or **world\_** , please change your username to something memorable](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=636&t=51403).
- Log on to [the waze forum](http://www.waze.com/forum/). This will make sure your forum account is set up so other editors can contact you.
- Practice your skills in the practice editor – log out and choose practice mode at [the waze editor](http://waze.com/editor). Read a bit about [how to edit](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide?redlink=1 "Map Editing Quick-start Guide (page does not exist)").
## Your first editing session
- Log in and get started.
- See other waze editors, so they can catch your attention. Use the layers icon  in the upper right-hand corner and tick the box next to [Live Users](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Layers?redlink=1 "Layers (page does not exist)").
- [Open chat](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor/377484/Chat?redlink=1 "Waze Map Editor/Chat (page does not exist)") . Send “`Good Morning. This is my first time editing!`” and say what you are here to do. Any available experienced editors will be very glad to talk to you while you make your first edits.
- Remember that you need to stick with the work you started until it is finished and corrected. Follow the [best practices](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_practices?redlink=1 "Best practices (page does not exist)") guide, and use the [Quick Start Guide](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide?redlink=1 "Map Editing Quick-start Guide (page does not exist)") if you don’t know how to do something. Also, you should take the time to read over the full [Waze Map Editor](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor/377484 "Waze Map Editor") guide, which goes into lots of detail and shows you how to do many things with the editor that might not be covered in the quick start and best practices guides (or not in as much detail).
- What is safe to do your first time out?
- Correct spellings.
- Check and correct road direction (one-way or two way).
- Check whether turns are allowed or not.
- [Create new roads](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide?redlink=1 "Map Editing Quick-start Guide (page does not exist)") or fix up roads you have recently “paved” using the app. Remember to [confirm the road](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Creating_and_editing_road_segments?redlink=1 "Creating and editing road segments (page does not exist)"), connect it to other roads, and [fix all the allowed and not-allowed turns](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Creating_and_editing_road_segments?redlink=1 "Creating and editing road segments (page does not exist)") to make it route properly.
- Unless you are working closely with an experienced editor, you should:
1. Not Delete roads or any parts of roads – because that deletes traffic data.
2. Not Create [parking lots](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Places/Parking_lot?redlink=1 "Places/Parking lot (page does not exist)") or [area places](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Places?redlink=1 "Places (page does not exist)"), or add [roads or lanes in parking lots](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Road_types?redlink=1 "Road types (page does not exist)"). This can confuse Waze and clutter the map. Because all your place changes will initially require approval, you might like to avoid any [Places](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Places?redlink=1 "Places (page does not exist)") edits (points and areas) entirely at first.
3. Not make changes to [major roads](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Road_types?redlink=1 "Road types (page does not exist)") and their ramps or turn lanes.
4. Not make changes to roads that are connected to [locked roads](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/FAQ?redlink=1 "FAQ (page does not exist)").
5. Not turn two-way roads into divided roads or highways, even if they are that way in real life.
- After you save your change, use chat to send “`I have just saved my first edit. Can someone check my work in (or wherever you are located) please.`” Select the object you just saved and share a [permalink](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/waze-map-editor/377484#Permalink "Waze Map Editor")  to it.
## After your first editing session
- Check your [private messages on the Waze forum](http://www.waze.com/forum/ucp.php?i=pm&folder=inbox) for a welcome message.
- Connect with the editor community by checking [the editing forum](http://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8)
- Check the email you used to register with waze. You’ll get a notification there if anyone sends you a new [PM](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Private_message?redlink=1 "Private message (page does not exist)"), or if you get any other kind of notification from waze.
- Come back to editor chat and ask lots of questions.
- Learn about [skills for beginning editors](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRCkUFyBp9W3NbVWu5eXlY0V9IILQlym2WW1793-FjS6qIV1wnSGml_dty-1qAhpFElIeL0vD9jTYHv/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000)
- Find out [the area managers](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/How_to_find_your_area_manager?redlink=1 "How to find your area manager (page does not exist)") in the areas you edit. If you can’t figure out who they are, ask in chat. Introduce yourself in chat or PM ask for guidance.
- Learn to check your own work, following the [Best practices](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_practices?redlink=1 "Best practices (page does not exist)") guidelines, and avoiding [Common editing mistakes](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Common_editing_mistakes?redlink=1 "Common editing mistakes (page does not exist)").
- Read some more in the wiki. Begin with the [Quick Guide](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide?redlink=1 "Map Editing Quick-start Guide (page does not exist)"). Go into more details with the [Map Editor Interface and Controls](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Map_Editor_Interface_and_Controls?redlink=1 "Map Editor Interface and Controls (page does not exist)"). Digest [Best practices](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Best_practices?redlink=1 "Best practices (page does not exist)") and [Common editing mistakes](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Common_editing_mistakes?redlink=1 "Common editing mistakes (page does not exist)"). Start to understand when and when not to create roads, what road types to use, and how [junctions](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Junction?redlink=1 "Junction (page does not exist)") and [road types](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Road_type?redlink=1 "Road type (page does not exist)") affect routing. Some of this stuff is tricky, so ask questions all along the way.
## Tools you can use
Some mistakes can be difficult to spot. Some enterprising editors have written Waze Map Editing [browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools?redlink=1 "Community Plugins, Extensions and Tools (page does not exist)")
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/keyboard-shortcuts/377445 "Keyboard shortcuts") – For example, ⇧ Shift+Z shows all forbidden turns.
- [WME Toolbox](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Scripts#WME_Toolbox "Scripts") – Contains many powerful tools and highlights, including fixes for common errors at intersections, and gets more powerful as you climb in editing rank and role.
- [Color Highlighter](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Scripts#WME_Color_Highlights "Scripts") – Makes some road segment features easier to see.
- [Chat addon](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Scripts#WME_Chat_addon "Scripts") – Gives your chat window a much-needed upgrade and smooths away a couple of WME chat bugs.
## Things you can do next
- Learn the right way to use [Update requests](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Update_Requests_in_Waze_Map_Editor?redlink=1 "Update Requests in Waze Map Editor (page does not exist)") to improve the map – courteously and efficiently. You might consider using [UR Overview +](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Extensions?redlink=1 "Extensions (page does not exist)") for its powerful UR filtering tools.
- Consider [Formal Mentoring](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Mentoring/Formal?redlink=1 "Mentoring/Formal (page does not exist)"). It is a great opportunity to learn the basics quickly, and speed your advancement through the ranks. Whether or not you think you are interested in formal mentoring, have a look through the learning material on the [Mentoring Resources page](https://www.waze.com/wiki/SouthAfrica/Mentoring/Resources?redlink=1 "Mentoring/Resources (page does not exist)").