Skip to content

How to use Google Maps on WhatsApp with an assistant

WhatsApp lets you share a location, but not ask Google Maps questions. With Ugo, an AI assistant with its own WhatsApp number, the team admin switches on maps from the portal, and from then on you ask in the chat how long it takes to get somewhere in traffic, which businesses of a given type are in an area or what an entrance looks like on Street View.

Try UgoAll about Maps

Why connect Maps to WhatsApp

If you spend your day in the car, you’re forever opening Google Maps: to see how long it’ll take to reach the next client, to find businesses of a given type in a new area, to work out where to park. With your phone in its holder, typing into a search bar isn’t easy.

With Ugo you ask in the same chat where you manage your diary and emails: “how long from Leeds to Bradford right now?”, “what joinery firms are there near York?”. Ugo uses Google Maps services and answers in a few lines, with a link to start navigation.

How to connect Maps to WhatsApp, step by step

It takes a few minutes. You do the first two steps only once, then you connect as many apps as you like.

  1. 1

    Create your Ugo account

    Sign up at app.ciaougo.com with your email and password and enter your company name.

  2. 2

    Link your WhatsApp

    In Settings → WhatsApp, generate a code and send it in a chat to Ugo’s number: from then on Ugo recognises your number.

  3. 3

    The admin switches on maps

    On the Ugo portal, open Skills and, on the Maps card, tap Turn on for the team. If you’re not the admin, ask them to do it.

  4. 4

    The whole team uses them

    There’s nothing for each person to connect: everyone in the team asks for routes and searches from their own WhatsApp.

  5. 5

    Keep an eye on today’s requests

    On the Maps card you can see how many requests the team has used today, against the daily limit.

  6. 6

    Message Ugo on WhatsApp

    Ask how long it takes to get from one place to another: if it replies with time, distance and a link, it works.

What you can do with Maps on WhatsApp

How long it takes, in traffic

Time and distance with live traffic, by car, on foot, by bike or by public transport, and a link to start navigation.

Businesses of a given type nearby

Hardware shops around Didsbury, joiners near York: up to 10 results with address, phone, website and ratings.

Recognise the entrance

Ugo sends you the Street View image of an address, so you can spot the door or the car park before you arrive.

Get to know an area

Ugo describes an area for you: what kinds of businesses there are, the main roads, what’s around.

The first messages to send

  • How long from Leeds to Bradford right now?
  • Find hardware shops around Didsbury
  • Show me the entrance of 12 High Street, Harrogate
Ugoonline

  1. What joinery firms are there near York?

  2. I found 10. The top three by rating: 1. Hargreaves Joinery, Haxby – 4.8★ 2. Wood & Design, York – 4.7★ 3. Clarke Furniture, Tadcaster – 4.6★

  3. How long from York city centre to Hargreaves, right now?

  4. With current traffic, 17 minutes (5 miles). I’ll send you the link to start navigation.

What Ugo doesn’t do (yet)

  • Searches that use Google have a daily limit, shared by the whole team.
  • It sends you up to 10 businesses per search, in the chat: no bulk extraction or exports.
  • It doesn’t know your location: for routes, tell it where you’re starting from.
  • It doesn’t drive your sat nav for you: it sends you the route link to open.

Other ways to connect Maps to WhatsApp

Ugo isn’t the only option. Here are the most common alternatives, and when they make sense.

The Google Maps app

It’s the complete tool for navigating and searching, but you use it separately, searching and typing yourself, outside the chat you work in.

Sharing your location on WhatsApp

It’s for telling someone where you are or where to find you, but it doesn’t work out routes or find businesses.

Business directories and databases

If you need long lists of businesses to export, business data services are a better fit: Ugo is designed for a few targeted searches, in the chat.

Questions about Maps and WhatsApp

Do maps cost extra?

No. They’re included in the Ugo subscription: €50 a month per person (or €550 a year), excl. VAT, with every app. Google searches have a daily limit per team.

Does Ugo use Google Maps?

Yes, for places, businesses, routes with traffic and Street View it uses Google Maps services; for some area analyses it uses OpenStreetMap.

How many searches can I do?

Searches that use Google have a daily limit shared by the whole team. On the Maps card in the portal you can see how many requests the team has already used today.

Does Ugo know where I am?

No. Ugo doesn’t track your location: it only uses the addresses and places you type or say in your request.

More guides: Ugo’s tools

Who uses Maps

Connect Maps to WhatsApp

Create your account, link your number and switch on Maps from the portal. Every app is included in the subscription.

Try UgoTalk to us

Works with