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Here's how to Use Google Maps like a pro.

i. Here are a few ideas for how to make money with Google Maps:

- Become a Google Local Guide - Google Local Guides contribute reviews, photos, and other location info to Google Maps. Active, high-quality contributors can get various perks and rewards from Google, like free products or credit towards certain Google services.

- Do mapping or data correction work - There are services like GeoWorker that pay regular people to make corrections/improvements to mapping data. This can involve verifying business info, adding missing places, correcting street names, etc.

- Make custom maps - You can use the Google Maps API to create custom maps with overlays, markers, etc. and sell access to these maps or the underlying data through a website or app. For example, real estate agents may pay for custom maps highlighting home listings.

- Sell advertising space - If you have a website or blog that gets decent traffic and is related to locations, travel, etc. you can make money by selling ad space to local businesses who want to promote themselves to your audience. Display ads related to nearby places.

- Promote affiliate services - Earn commissions by promoting services like Uber, Lyft, AirBnB to your website visitors and anyone looking for directions/options related to transportation, accommodations, etc. These companies have affiliate programs.

- Provide consulting services - If you're an expert in using Google Maps, geospatial data, location-based services, etc. you can potentially sell your consulting time and expertise to other businesses and clients.

The key is to find creative ways to monetize Google Maps data, your audience, or expertise around the mapping platform. It takes effort but there are definitely ways to make money from it.

ii. Here is a comparison between Google Maps and Google Earth:

Google Maps:

- Primarily provides road maps, directions, location search, and street view images. Optimized for navigation and finding local businesses/places.

- Offers both web-based and mobile app interfaces. Integrates with Android/iOS for native map experience.

- Provides live traffic data, public transit info, and other real-time map data.

- Limited 3D support - buildings and terrain are depicted as simple 3D meshes.

- Imagery is 2D and optimized for viewing on small mobile screens. Resolution limited to zoom levels.

Google Earth:

- Provides interactive 3D visual globe of the Earth using satellite imagery and aerial photography.

- Allows seamless zooming from space level into street level views. High resolution imagery.

- Supports detailed 3D rendering of landscapes, buildings, trees etc. Photorealistic geospatial visualization.

- Allows overlaying different data sets - weather, seismic activity, demographics etc.

- Provides historical imagery to view changes over time.

- Mainly designed as a desktop application, though mobile apps available.

- Advanced GIS capabilities for measurement, creating placemarks, animations, etc.

In summary, Google Maps excels at navigation and location-based services while Google Earth focuses on an immersive geospatial visualization experience using high quality 3D imagery.

iii. Here are some ways to check road conditions using Google Maps:

- Traffic layer - Enable the traffic layer in Maps to see colored roads indicating live traffic flow from green (good) to red (congested).

- Incidents - Traffic incidents like closures, construction, accidents will be marked on the map if reported. Click for more details.

- Street View - Look at the actual road conditions using Street View imagery along the route.

- Avoid roads - Choose options like "Avoid highways" or "Avoid tolls" when getting directions and Maps will route you around those roads.

- Local search - Search for terms like "road work [city]" or "road conditions [highway name]" to find local articles about current conditions.

- Google Maps Community - People often post about observed road issues in the Maps community forums for a location.

- Live weather layer - Add the weather layer to see precipitation which may affect road conditions.

- Contact transportation department - Many state/city transportation departments provide real-time road condition info on their websites.

- Check traffic cams - Some areas have live traffic cameras you can view to see the roads yourself.

- Call for reports - For very recent or unmapped issues, calling the local transportation or highway department can provide updates.

Checking multiple sources gives the best sense of road conditions for safe navigation. Always remain attentive while driving for unreported issues.

Learn more@ https://www.youtube.com/c/ITGuides/search?query=Google.