https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/21/google-maps-is-turning-its-over-a-billion-users-into-editors/

I think a lot of these new/enhanced editing features are from Waze.

This has been going on for quite a while. Months anyway

Not mentioned in this is the new backend interface where you can manage all of your Maps listings in one place. As a test I started managing 20 locations for the company I work for (we have hundreds of locations). This all ties in to not only your Maps listings, but also G+, Analytics, and webmaster tools. Every listing on Maps now becomes a G+ profile that you can control if you claim it. This could lead to a resurgence in G+ usage for businesses that FB may not have anticipated.