Have you ever been frustrated that Google Maps doesn't show your area on the map correctly? However, it is now possible to write in the missing roads yourself

Previously, Google Maps users could report missing roads by pinning them where they should be on the map and sending that information to Google With the new tool, however, they can edit roads directly, drawing roads that should be taken, changing names and other details

The ability to edit and add roads is currently rolling out in the desktop version of Google Maps and will work whether you are using a MacBook, Windows 10 PC, or Chromebook

Google says it will be available "in the coming months" in more than 80 countries where it can already report missing roads However, it does not appear to have reached the United Kingdom yet As yet, there is only the option to report a missing road, but not to draw it

Helpfully, Google has provided a video showing how to use this feature, and it certainly looks easy Here's how to use it

To get started, launch Google Maps on your desktop or laptop

Click on the menu on the right, scroll down and select "Edit the map" Next, select "Missing roads"

Now you can add missing roads or change the route that a road follows by drawing a line with the cursor

You can also add a new road name, change the wrong name of an existing road, or change the direction of a road if it is a one-way road and Google is currently wrong

Of course, these changes do not take effect immediately Instead, all updates are first reviewed by Google Maps, a process that can take up to seven days

The new road edit feature is one of three features added to Maps, which Google explains is part of using "community-driven updates" to help people "make better decisions about what to do and where to go"

The second new feature is "photo updates," which will allow users to share images of places on Google Maps without having to leave reviews or ratings They will also be able to include a brief description with the photo, making it easier to tell other people in the same area that, for example, the beach is particularly crowded today or that the parking lot is closed

This will roll out over the next few weeks, and users will be able to find updates to these photos by clicking on the "updates" tab when viewing a location in Google Maps

Finally, Google is encouraging users to leave reviews and updates as part of a community challenge

In a pilot scheme, Android users in the US will be challenged to add ratings and reviews and review information about local businesses Google said it hopes to update a total of 100,000 businesses and may later try it in other countries