When individuals request task-relevant spatial content in the form of
area maps, GIS applications typically return default maps displaying
standard map content. Little effort is made by these applications to
present users with personalized maps displaying spatial content
tailored to users' specific interests. Maps generated usually contain
superfluous information that hinders the user's end goal and is
irrelevant in terms of their spatial content preferences. Users may
then customize the map through toggling features on and off but this
must be done repeatedly whenever they request a map. One solution is
to demand explicit input from users, before presenting them with a
map, detailing features of interest related to their current
task. This, however, proves an expensive answer as the system is
reliant on user input. Another solution is to store simplistic
profile information whereby the user ticks several feature
boxes. While simple customizations could be stored, only basic
interaction information is captured in the user profiles. We outline
an approach to solving this problem by providing personalized maps
whereby only the most relevant spatial content is returned each time
a user requests a map. Map personalization is realized by monitoring
users' implicit interactions with maps when locating content and
regions of interest. User preferences regarding map features and
zones of interest are inferred from the actions executed. This is an
attractive solution, as it requires no real effort from the user,
other than standard usage. All map interactions are captured at the
interface and the system learns users' interests by unobtrusively
observing their behavior. A persistent user model storing information
describing user interests related to spatial content is created and
evolves over time.