Google has finally added a welcome addition to Google Maps and that is the URL shortener that will automatically take the link that's created based on the location you are viewing and shorten it dramatically. This allows for a specific map to be shared much more efficiently using Google's own URL shortener, goo.gl.

Mashable:

We typed an address in Manhattan to try the new feature out. With the Short URL feature turned off, our shareable URL for this address was “http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=41+11th+St,+New+York,+NY&sll=40.745612,-74.008065&sspn=0.010794,0.020707&g=41+11th+Avenue,+New+York,+NY&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=41+W+11th+St,+New+York,+10011&ll=40.734925,-73.997099&spn=0.002699,0.005177&t=h&z=18." Ouch! When we navigated into Labs and checked the box to enable Short URL, it became a simple “http://goo.gl/maps/2cl8.” That’s much better.

Well put. Of course you'll have to manually turn on these additional features clicking the little Labs icon on the top right of the Google Maps page to actually use them, but I think you'll find there's just enough to slightly brighten up your day.