“YouTube-style” embedded Google maps for blogs and web sites

Google Maps users can now easily embed maps in their blogs and web sites simply by  copying and pasting HTML code, thanks to a new feature announced by Google.

Product manager of Google Maps Jess Lee described the new maps as “YouTube-style”.

“And once you embed the map, it has alt the same functionality of the Google Maps know and love; it’s dickable, draggable, and zoomable,” said Lee.

“Adding a map to your website or blog is now as easy as embedding a YouTube video.”

According to Lee, no programming skills are needed, and there’s no need to sign up for a maps API key.

Adding a map to your web site or blog is simply a matter up of pulling up the map you want to embed, whether it’s a location, driving directions, search results, or a map you’ve created, clicking “Link to this page” and then copying and pasting the supplied code.

You’re also given the opportunity of customizing the map size. Sizes of between 300 x 300 pixels up to 640 x 480 pixels are available.

The generated code uses <iframe>, so it will work on many blog sites, including Blogger, but not others, like MySpace, which strips <iframe> tags.

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