I am working on creating Google Maps and Google Earth screenshots and .KMZ files for our upcoming Costa Rica and Peru trip.

In order to personalize the maps and flight routes, I uploaded an icon of Jose, our travel bear that is used instead of default icons for the placemarks. To use your own icons, upload the image, note the URL where the image is stored (Best is to copy the URL to your clipboard).  Tip: It is best to upload a .gif image with transparent background for your icon.

in Google Maps click on the default placemark icon, then place it on the map.

Type in a title, then click on the default icon in this window.

Click on “Add an icon”.  Your image will be placed under “My incons” link.

Enter (or paste) the URL of the image you want to use as an icon in the text box and click OK.

The placemark default icon is replaced with your personalized icon now. Place it anywhere you wish on your map.

You can add also your own customized icon in Google Earth. Click on add a placemark (yellow little push pin). When the next window opens, up enter a name for the placemark and click on the pushpin again, that will open up another window with many different pins and icons. Choose “Add Custom Icon”.

Browse for the location of the image you want to use as an icon and click OK.