Google Maps now offers real-time insights into how busy a business is, helping users make more informed decisions about where and when to visit. This feature uses anonymous data from users who have enabled the Google Maps Timeline, which records their location history. By analyzing the number of devices in a specific area, Google can estimate the number of people present at a venue, comparing it to typical traffic levels to determine if a place is unusually busy or quiet. The app displays a visual graph showing when a business is likely to be slow or when long wait times might occur. These estimates are based on patterns observed over the past few weeks, including the average time people spend at a location and how long they might need to wait for service. This information can help users plan their day more efficiently, whether they're trying to avoid crowds or looking for a place with minimal wait times. In addition to individual businesses, Google Maps can also show how busy entire areas are. This is done by aggregating data from multiple locations within a region, such as shops, restaurants, and parks. This feature is most commonly available in high-traffic areas like tourist destinations or places hosting large events. Google emphasizes that the data used is anonymized, meaning it does not reveal the identity of individuals or the exact number of people present at any given time. Users who have opted into the Google Timeline feature should be aware that their activity is being tracked. This data not only helps in providing real-time business and traffic updates but also contributes to other Google services like Waze. If users are uncomfortable with their data being collected, they can disable the Timeline feature in their account settings, which will stop Google from tracking their location history.