How to Share a YouTube Video in Google Maps

Google Maps is a good way to share videos shot in interesting locations.

YouTube offers several ways to spread videos outside of the YouTube website itself to more easily share them with others. One interesting option is to embed a YouTube video into a custom map you create in Google Maps. For example, you can create a map of various locations in a city and have videos shot at those locations appear on the map, so others can get a multifaceted experience of the place. You need a Google account to accomplish this, but can use any YouTube videos if their author hasn't disabled embedding.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the Google Maps website, then use the search field and/or the panning and zooming tools to get a view of the area you want to show to others.

2. Click "My Maps" at the top of the left-hand pane of the Google Maps interface. If that pane isn't visible, click the small double arrow button in the top left corner of the map display to reveal it. If this is your first custom map, click the "Get Started" button. Otherwise, click "Create new map." If you aren't already logged into your Google account, you will be prompted to do so before proceeding.

3. Give your map a title and description in the left-hand pane. Select the "Unlisted" radio button if you only intend to share this map with certain people. Select the "Public" radio button if you want others to be able to find your map. The "Unlisted" option only provides a weak kind of security, so don't make a map you wouldn't want others to see.

4. Click the placemark tool near the upper left corner of the map. It resembles an inverted water droplet. Click on the map where you want others to see your video. A placemarker appears there, and a pop-up dialog appears.

5. Click "Edit HTML" in the placemarker's pop-up dialog. Enter a name for the placemarker in the "Title" field. Click the placemarker icon in the pop-up to reveal alternate icons, then click the one you want to appear on the map. The yellow film projector icon may be an appropriate choice to indicate a video.

6. Open a new window or tab in your web browser, then navigate to the YouTube video you want to share in your map.

7. Click the "Share" button beneath the video to reveal another panel, then click the "Embed" button to reveal the embed code and settings. Select a size for the video at the bottom of this area if you wish, or leave the settings as they are (a large video might be unwieldy to use in your map). Copy the entire contents of the text field at the top of this area; this is the embed code.

8. Switch back to the tab or window in your browser with your map, then paste the embed code from YouTube into the "Description" field in the placemarker pop-up. Make sure that "Edit HTML" is selected, and click the placemarker on the map if the pop-up has dissappeared. Click "OK" to dismiss the placemarker pop-up.

9. Click "Save" in the left-hand pane of the Google Maps interface to save your map, then click "Done." Click the placemarker on the map, and see how the YouTube video pops up for viewing. You can now share your video-enhanced map using the "Send" or "Link" buttons in the top right corner of the map.