Waze’s killer feature finally coming to Google Maps

Way back in 2013, Google acquired the map startup Waze. Fast forward just 11 years and one of Waze’s stand-out features is finally being rolled out to Google Maps.

As first noticed by 9to5Google, users are reporting that community reports from Waze are starting to roll out within Google Maps as well. The feature has long-earned Waze a specific fanbase that preferred this smaller startup directions and maps app over products from its much larger competitors like Google and Apple.

Basically, this Waze feature allows users to share when they come across new or temporary incidents that have occurred, warning other users of potential issues that may arise in their similar travels.

For example, a Google Maps user has shared an alert it received from within the Google Maps app that warned about “Police reported ahead.” The alert included a “From Waze drivers” addendum in the notification. The alert within Google Maps asks “Are they still there?” and the user can tap “Yes” or “No’ to share whether the police are still located where other Waze drivers reported seeing them.

Google has been more closely integrating Google Maps and Waze specific features in recent months. As 9to5Google points out, Google shared that Google Maps would utilize Waze community reports within its app in a future update.

“Google Maps will surface reports from our drivers with attribution to Waze directly in the app,” Waze announced on its website in July.

As of now, the update appears to be in the midst of rolling out, so some Google Maps users just might not seem them just yet. But soon, all Google Maps users will have access to a beloved feature that keeps many Waze users on Waze.