Google's latest Find Hub update makes it even easier to find your luggage

There may be nothing more frustrating in the world than waiting for an eagerly anticipated vacation to start and spending the time watching an empty luggage carousel spin around with your luggage still stuck in some other state. Most of us have been there, and for some of us, the solution to this problem has been to simply start using Bluetooth-based luggage trackers. However, the communication between these types of devices and airlines was always sort of a "he said, she said" situation, but now Google is looking to change this with their new update to Find Hub.

A smarter way to track your luggage

In a new blog post, Google has shared that it has added a "Share Item Location" feature to Find Hub with the sole purpose of helping baggage claim departments do their job. Rather than simply letting you know where your luggage currently is, Find Hub can now create a link to this location and send it to the airline. This way, they can get an actual look at where your luggage currently is and go retrieve it, rather than simply filing a report and waiting for it to turn up.

How to use the new luggage sharing feature

1. Choose your item: Open the Find Hub app and select the tracker tag attached to your luggage.
2. Create a link: Tap the "Share item location" button to create a link to your item's location.
3. Share with the airline: Copy and paste the link into the airline’s app or website when filing your baggage claim.

Why this is a game-changer for travelers

This is notable because it is no longer just Google in a bubble trying to release a feature that will be sandboxed to just Android devices. The company has actually managed to get the industry on board, with over 10 major airlines that are already on board. These include airlines such as Lufthansa, Air India, and Turkish Airlines, and others like Qantas set to join soon.

But that’s not all. Google has also partnered with WorldTracer and NetTracer, which are the systems most airports use to try and find missing bags. This ensures that your phone’s information can actually talk to the airport’s systems.

But wait; there’s more. Suitcase manufacturers like Samsonite and July are actually building this feature right into their luggage, as I recently got to try out last week. This way, you don’t have to worry about buying a special tag, as your suitcase will actually be part of the Find Hub network.

All that to say that Google is in a powerful position here to compete against Apple’s Find My network, which has been the gold standard for travelers over the last few years.

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