How to Add Custom Icons and Locations to Google Maps

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Mark important locations on Google Maps with custom icons

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: March 31, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using My Maps

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Adding List Markers

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Changing List Icons

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Adding a New Location

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Video

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Tips

If you want to add an icon to Google Maps, there are several ways you can do it. You can create a list of bookmarked locations on Google Maps and add a custom emoji to the list. You can also create a custom map using My Maps. If you notice a location is missing, you can contribute and add it to Google Maps. This wikiHow article teaches you how to add icons and locations to Google Maps.

Quick Steps

Open or create a new map on the My Maps website in a web browser.
Click the marker icon at the top and add a marker to your preferred location.
Give it a name and save it.
Click the paint bucket icon on the marker menu.
Select an icon from the list, or click "Custom icon" to add your own.
Click OK to save the icon.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using My Maps

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Go to www.google.com/maps/about/mymaps/ in a web browser. Use any web browser on your computer, such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari. Unfortunately, My Maps isn’t available for Android, iPhone, or iPad.
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Click Get Started. If you're not already logged in, use the email and password associated with your Google account to sign in. Once you're signed in, you'll be able to view this custom map anywhere you log into your Google account.
- If you don't have a Google account, you can create one by clicking Sign up.
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Once you log in, you'll see a list of maps you've created and maps that were shared with you. Click a map to open it or click Create A New Map in the upper-left corner to make a new custom map.^{[1]
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You can enter the name of a location or address in the search bar at the top. You can use the + and - buttons on the lower-right corner of the map to zoom in or out. Use your cursor and click and drag to move up, down, left, or right of the map.
Click the "Add marker" icon (the pushpin) at the top of the map (right below the search text field), then click the area of the map where you want to place it.
A pop-up box will appear as you place the pin. Type a name for the location (and an optional description), then click Save.
Hover your mouse cursor over the marker icon, then click the paint bucket icon beside it. Alternatively, click the pushpin on the map, then click the paint bucket icon below the marker's name.
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Select an icon. Click an icon from the list, or click More Icons to choose from a larger library. You can also click one of the color swatches to change the color of the icon.^{[2]
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- To add a custom icon you've created, click Custom icon at the bottom of the icon library. You can then select a picture from the internet, your local storage, your Drive, a URL, your webcam, your photos, or something from Google Images.
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Click OK to add your icon. Your custom icon is now added to your map in Google Maps.
- To view your custom map and icons when you're on the go, open the Google Maps app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad, tap the Saved tab, then select Maps.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Adding List Markers

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You can use the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android device to add list markers to a map. It has an icon that resembles a blue, green, red, and yellow push pin. Tap the Google Maps app icon on your Home screen or Apps menu to open the Google Maps app.
To do so, enter the name of a place or address in the search bar at the top of the map. Tap the location when it appears in your search results.
It’s at the top of the window at the bottom of the page that displays information about the location you searched for.
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Tap a list. There are numerous lists you can select. You can tap Favorites, Offline, Want to go, Starred, Travel plans, and more.
- To create a new list, tap New list at the top of the page. Then enter a name for the list and a description. Select if you want this to be a private list or a shared list. Then tap Create in the upper-right corner.
It’s in the upper-right corner. This adds the place to your list and adds a map marker to the map.
To show a saved location on the map, tap You at the bottom of the screen. Then tap one of the lists at the bottom of the screen. Then tap a location from the list.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Changing List Icons

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You can use the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android device to edit list marker icons. It has an icon that resembles a blue, green, red, and yellow push pin. Tap the Google Maps app icon on your Home screen or Apps menu to open the Google Maps app.
It’s the second tab at the bottom of the screen. This displays your lists and saved locations.
This displays all the locations in that list.
It’s at the top of the information window at the bottom of the screen. It’s next to an icon that resembles a pencil.
It’s at the top of the list. This displays a list of emojis.
Tap an emoji to use as the list icon.
This saves the list. All locations in the list will use the emoji you selected.^{[4]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Adding a New Location

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This method allows you to contribute new locations to Google Maps. Once Google verifies your contribution, it will become visible on the map for everyone. You can use the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android device. It has an icon that resembles a blue, green, red, and yellow push pin. Tap the Google Maps app icon on your Home screen or Apps menu to open the Google Maps app.
It’s the third tab at the bottom of the screen. This allows you to contribute to Google Maps.
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Tap Add Place. It’s the first tab at the top of the menu. This allows you to add a new place or a place that is missing.
- If you are adding a new business that you own, you’ll want to set up a business profile with Google. The process includes adding your business to Google Maps.
Enter the name of the place in the first field at the top.
To do so, tap the second field and then tap a category. You can also enter a category at the top to search for more categories.
This is required. Enter the address of a location in the third field.
It’s at the bottom of the page. This displays more fields you can use to add information.
You can add additional information, such as whether the location is in a strip mall, or the nearest crossroads to the location. You can also add hours of operation, a phone number, and a website, or upload pictures of the location.
It’s the blue button at the bottom of the page. Once the location has been verified, it will be added to Google Maps.^{[5]
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Custom images you upload will not appear on the preset icon list.

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If there is a place missing on Google Maps, you can add it.

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