Map settings and Map style settings control how the Google map canvas behaves and looks: center, zoom, gestures, controls, traffic layers, and visual styles (including Snazzy Maps JSON).
Open your map → Progress Map settings → Map settings / Map style settings.
Center point
Set the initial center (latitude / longitude) so first paint lands on your market or city.
- For worldwide directories, prefer autofit (extend bounds to all markers) so the center adapts to results.
- For a single-city site, a fixed center + initial zoom often feels more stable.
- Global plugin settings also define a default center used for single-post maps and as a fallback.
Restrict map bounds
Optionally lock panning to a geographic rectangle (for example one metro area). Visitors cannot drag far outside that region. Useful for local businesses; avoid on global directories.
Zoom
| Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Initial zoom | First zoom level when the map loads |
| Min / Max zoom | Clamp how far users can zoom in or out |
| Zoom on double-click | Enable/disable double-click zoom |
| Scroll wheel zoom | Allow or block zoom with the mouse wheel |
| Autofit | Expand/shrink the viewport to fit all markers & clusters |
Autofit is especially helpful after faceted filters change the visible set.
Gestures & dragging
Control gesture handling (cooperative vs greedy on mobile), whether the map can be dragged, and related UX so the map does not “fight” page scroll on phones.
Map controls
Toggle and size standard controls:
- Zoom
- Fullscreen
- Map type (roadmap / satellite / …)
- Street View pegman
You can also show a recenter button to jump back to the default center after exploration.
Retina markers & clusters
Enable retina-friendly rendering when you use custom high-resolution marker or cluster images so pins stay sharp on HiDPI screens.
Map container background
Set a background color behind the map while tiles load (or if tiles fail). Choose something close to your theme so loading states feel intentional.
Layers (built into map settings)
| Layer | Use when |
|---|---|
| Traffic | Live traffic overlay |
| Transit | Public transport |
| Bicycling | Bike paths |
| Heatmap | Density of locations (excellent with search maps) |
Heatmap parameters and color gradients are adjusted in the heatmap-related options; see also Overlays.
Map style settings
Initial style
Choose roadmap, satellite, hybrid, terrain, or a custom styled map as the default.
Custom JSON styles
Paste a Google Maps styler JSON (greyscale, hide POIs, brand colors, etc.). Many designers start from Snazzy Maps and paste the exported JSON into Progress Map.
Hide default POIs
Styled maps are the cleanest way to hide Google’s points of interest when they compete with your markers (also documented in tutorials).
Practical recipes
Local store locator Fixed center, zoom 12–14, bounds restricted to the city, scroll wheel zoom off on mobile-heavy landing pages.
National directory Autofit on, wider max bounds, clustering on (see Markers), heatmap optional.
Search-first experience Map type = search map, heatmap on, initial style muted so results pop after filter.