Google Maps to Retire “Follow” Feature in September as Part of Platform Streamlining

Google has announced that the “Follow” feature in Maps—which allowed users to follow other contributors and receive updates—will be discontinued in September 2025. The decision came after many users rarely utilized the feature, and its support documentation had already been quietly removed from Google’s online help resources.

Once the feature is fully retired, all data related to follower relationships will be automatically deleted. Users will no longer have the option to follow other Local Guides or receive updates from them. However, contributor profile visibility settings remain intact; you can still control who sees your content, but follower-specific interactions will cease.

The “Follow” feature, launched in 2018, once surfaced updates from people you followed—such as new reviews or photos—within the “For You” tab. Despite its promise, adoption was low, and the feature failed to gain traction amid competing channels like social media and email. Its integration didn’t resonate with many users, prompting Google to shift focus elsewhere.

Before the feature disappears, users who valued following others might want to export their data via Google Takeout. This enables them to retain lists of followed contributors or migrate this data to other platforms. Once September arrives, though, Google will perform automatic housekeeping, removing all follow-related data ([techloy.com][3]).

Some users welcome the change. Reports from Local Guides communities mention concerns about bot followers and the added noise from low-value updates. The removal is viewed by many as a simplification that declutters their Maps experience.

Despite the sunsetting of follower functionality, core discovery features—such as saving places to custom lists, browsing recommended spots, and posting reviews or photos—will remain fully functional. People who wish to stay connected with guides can still use Local Guides Connect or rely on list-sharing. Google recommends these alternatives as viable replacements.

This move underscores Google Maps’ growing trend toward streamlining features that lack strong user engagement. By removing low-value elements, the service hopes to offer a sharper, more intuitive navigation and discovery experience. As always, user feedback will guide future decisions—so sharing thoughts via official channels remains the best way to influence upcoming product changes.

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