New Google Maps Feature Tells You If You're a 'Match' for That Restaurant You Looked Up

Google Maps is a great navigation tool if you already know where you're heading—less so if you can't decide on your dinner plans. A new update for the app aims to change that: Google Maps now shows you how well you "match" with certain restaurants.

Once you've downloaded the update, the new feature will appear automatically when you view a restaurant's page through the app. Google Maps calculates a match score between 0 and 100 percent by looking at your past ratings, location history, and food and drink preferences, and then comparing that to information from the restaurant. If you eat at a lot of ramen places and rate them highly, Google might say you're a good match with a popular ramen place in your neighborhood. If you visited a pizza place the other week and gave it a one-star review, Google will likely show you a low match number if you ever search that restaurant again.

Google Map's calculations are based on machine learning: That means the more places you rate and visit, the more accurate your matches will become. According to Google's blog, "Your matches change as your own tastes and preferences evolve over time—it’s like your own expert sidekick, helping you quickly assess your options and confidently make a decision."

The feature isn't available for every restaurant, so it won't help you make the most informed decision possible. But for nights when you're feeling overwhelmed by food options, its a quick way to narrow down the field. Restaurant matches are now available on Google Maps for Android, and as of July 31, iOS. To get even more out of the app, check out these helpful Google Maps hacks.