How to set a ZOOM IN link on Google Maps?

Hey guys, I am trying to create a customized google maps using the google maps api.

IF you go to Google Maps now, you will see a lot of cities, when you hover over - they turn blue meaning it is a link. When you click it, it animates and zooms you into the given location.

Also of external sites I have just checked don’t or are not using that function, they mainly use the manual zoom in and out buttons in the corner so I don’t know if it’s something new from Google.

Anyways, my question is - for my custom map of 30 locations does anybody know how to achieve that animation and function where I click on a pin or a city name and it zooms me into that location in the animated type of manner that is happening on google maps current site?

Thanks