Google Maps, a popular navigation and discovery tool, is set to bid farewell to its “Followed Places” feature in early 2025. This change was uncovered through an APK breakdown of the app’s code, indicating that users will no longer have access to this feature. However, users can download their local followed places data from the Maps section of Google Takeout before the feature is removed.

The “Followed Places” feature allowed users to receive updates and news from businesses and locations listed on Google Maps. Over time, this feature has lost prominence, with the once visible “+” Follow button disappearing for many users. Google’s support documentation no longer includes instructions on how to follow a business, suggesting a shift away from this feature while the ability to add places to a list remains unchanged.

Possible reasons for phasing out “Followed Places” include low user engagement and a less than ideal integration within the Google Maps app. The decision may also reflect Google’s focus on prioritizing resources towards other features deemed more valuable to users.

Introduced in 2018, “Followed Places” aimed to simplify how users stay informed about their favorite businesses and locations on Google Maps. By following a place, users could receive updates directly within the app, including upcoming events, special offers, and any other news from the business or location.

With Google Maps constantly evolving to enhance user experience, removing the “Followed Places” feature indicates a shift in user preferences for staying informed about places around them. While some users may miss this feature, Google is likely aiming to streamline functionality and prioritize widely used features. Users have the opportunity to save their followed places data before the feature disappears in 2025.