Google Maps Logo
Google Maps is a first proper online mapping service created in 2005 by Google. The goal is to put as much of the world onto a single, interactive map. It includes 3D view of the streets, up-to-date details on all address details and even information on local businesses, establishments & more.
Meaning and History
2005 – 2005
The original Maps logo was created when the platform was still a beta. As such, it features a contemporary logo of the service, paired with a simple orange ‘Maps’ word beneath the twin ‘O’ letters of the ‘Google’, as well as a pale grey ‘Beta’ word below its two last words.
2005 – 2006
The first proper logo version got rid of the ‘Beta’ mark, but also turned ‘Maps’ into ‘Local’ in an attempt to try out a new name. The size and the style were pretty much unchanged from the previous version.
2006 – 2009
In 2006, they returned to the old ‘Maps’ design, changing very little from the original beta logo (except, of course, for the old grey ‘Beta’, which is gone now).
2009 – 2010
In 2009, they decided to move their secondary word to the name’s immediate right, while also giving it a new look. The color changed to dark blue, and the font changed to a full lowercase with slimmer letters. Moreover, the proportions changed to match the main word’s size.
Speaking of it, the ‘Google’ part also got rid of the excessive shading, but it was universal for their logo across the platforms.
2010 – 2013
In 2010, they decided to work further on the left part of the logo and leave the ‘Maps’ part alone. The letters in ‘Google’, consequentially, became bigger and brighter, and that’s about all that changed.
2013 – 2015
A further change happened to the word ‘Google’ in 2013. They made it even brighter, while also getting rid of all the 3D elements – namely, remaining shading, volume & texture.
2015 – 2020
By 2015, Google decided to simplify their master logo even further. Basically, they streamlined all the letters, made all the lines equally thick and simplified the shapes. The same happened to their Google Maps logo as well. Furthermore, the ‘Maps’ part here turned grey and receive the same font (but slimmer) and style.
2020 – Today
2020 saw a major change for all Google products, Maps not excluded. Each of them received a new icon featuring all the colors from their iconic logo design. For Maps, it’s their marker symbol used by the service to pinpoint where everything’s located. Except here it’s colored in green, blue, red & yellow.
Consequentially, the ‘Google’ part of the logo got bleached. It also became grey like the other word, although this shade is darker.
Emblem and Symbol
In addition to the official logotypes, Google Maps also had an icon it used throughout the years. In 2020, it made it into the official logotype, but the previous versions did not. Most featured the same pinpoint marker, but red and surrounded by various ‘Google’ symbols – usually a white letter ‘G’ put onto some other shape.
