Google Maps pin

The Google Maps pin is the inverted-drop-shaped icon that marks locations in Google Maps. The pin is protected under a U.S. design patent as "teardrop-shaped marker icon including a shadow".^[1]^[2] Google has used the pin in various graphics, games, and promotional materials.

The pin, sometimes referred to as "the marker",^[3] has been widely co-opted by other companies, organizations, and individuals for their own marketing efforts, artwork, and activism. In both digital and physical representations, the pin is often used to symbolize mapping software and the technology industry as a whole.

The Google Maps pin has been called "a product of pure function that has evolved into a cultural phenomenon"^[4] and "a solution that would take on a life of its own, recognizable enough to stick up for itself in the art and design projects of others".^[5] "Looking like a hot air balloon in flight, this marker has landed squarely in the middle of our visual culture".^[6]

In 2014, the Museum of Modern Art acquired a physical representation of the Google Maps pin for its permanent collection.^[7]^[8] In 2020, the pin icon became the official logo of Google Maps.^[9]

^ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/50/209/D06/1.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ http://pimg-fpiw.uspto.gov/fdd/13/214/D06/0.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ "Customizing Google Maps: Custom Markers". Google Developers. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ Hilary Greenbaum (18 April 2011). "Who Made Google's Map Pin?". The New York Times' 6th Floor Blog. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ Rob Walker (16 June 2011). "Stealth Iconography: The Google Maps Pin". Design Observer. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ Steve Gordon (25 April 2013). "Well-Dressed Map Marker | Cartagram | Madison, Alabama". cartagram.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ "Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen. Google Maps Pin (2005)". MoMA.org. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ Jacob Kastrenakes (17 February 2014). "The art arcade: MoMA collects 40 years of innovative design". The Verge. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
^ "Google Maps celebrates 15th birthday with new look and features". Fox 13. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.

[1] ttp://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/50/209/D06/1.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[2] ttp://pimg-fpiw.uspto.gov/fdd/13/214/D06/0.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[3] "Customizing Google Maps: Custom Markers". Google Developers. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[6thf_WhoM-4] Hilary Greenbaum (18 April 2011). "Who Made Google's Map Pin?". The New York Times' 6th Floor Blog. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[desi_Stea-5] Rob Walker (16 June 2011). "Stealth Iconography: The Google Maps Pin". Design Observer. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[cart_Well-6] Steve Gordon (25 April 2013). "Well-Dressed Map Marker | Cartagram | Madison, Alabama". cartagram.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[moma_Jens-7] "Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen. Google Maps Pin (2005)". MoMA.org. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[thev_Thea-8] Jacob Kastrenakes (17 February 2014). "The art arcade: MoMA collects 40 years of innovative design". The Verge. Retrieved 2014-12-11.

[9] "Google Maps celebrates 15th birthday with new look and features". Fox 13. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.

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