Adwords Location Targeting Update and other Google Geo News

The location targeting interface for AdWords just got a makeover. Google announced that the changes include an easier way to find locations, and a new column that tells the reach (number of users) of Google properties. The location target limits have also been increased from 300 to 10,000, and a new Polygon targeting migration tool has been added. 

- SearchNewz

- Google AdWords Blog

Attention avid bikers and walking enthusiasts: You can now use your desktop to create a biking or walking itinerary using Custom Maps in Google Maps. You can choose to share these directions by allowing people to view your Custom Map and avoid the hassle of scribbling them down or printing them out. Additionally, you can access these stored directions from your phone with the Google Maps Android application. 

- Google Lat Long Blog

Google is getting more Yelp-like.

Google took further steps against Yelp today [Nov 14], adding features to the My Places tab on Google Maps. Businesses you've rated with Google Places are now highlighted on your maps, displaying your rating and showing other personalized recommendations based on places you've already shared. The highlights are available on the desktop and Google Maps for Android.

The article goes on to suggest that Google wants users to be all Google all the time.

- RWW

A Few New Geo APIs from Programmable Web

A few new APIs from the 61 recently added to Programmable Web. There are some other geo ones in the list, too.

Union County NC GIS API: Framework that allows spatial analysis to be performed on GIS data from Union County, North Carolina, through simple HTTP requests. Methods create and execute spatial queries against a PostGIS database (spatially enabled database). Analysis results depend entirely on user input and response format preference. Sample Community Mapper application uses these services almost exclusively to perform spatial analysis and return relevant results to users.

Vs30 map server API: Part of The National Seismic Hazard Mapping Project, this USGS map-based service supports online seismic analysis. Uses topographic slope as a proxy for average shear-velocity to estimate predictions of seismic site conditions across a region, including ground-motions following a global earthquake. Helps to predict earthquake hazards for a general location based on local conditions.

Alaska Satellite Facility API: The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) is one of eight Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC) which provide data to the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). ASF's DAAC is the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Data Center specializing in SAR data collection, processing, archiving, and distribution. An API allows access to the SAR Data Center archive using POST and GET protocols.

Local Search Maps Geocoder API: The Geocode API is a web service that allows users to easily integrate their site or application with the Google Maps or Virtual Earth API's. It is built to function with JavaScript, allowing the user to geocode based on criteria such as street address, city, state, and zip code.