How can you ensure that a newly created web map is not accessible to the public until ready?

Setting the sharing option to Private ensures that the newly created web map is not accessible to anyone outside of the owner. This option restricts visibility to only the creator, making it suitable for content that is still in development or awaiting approval. By keeping the map private, you can fully prepare it without inadvertently sharing incomplete or incorrect information with others.

The other sharing options, such as Group, Organization, and Public, allow for varying levels of access that could potentially expose the map to unwanted users or the general public before it is finalized. Choosing Group would limit access to members within a specific group, while Organization allows access to all members of the organization. Public, on the other hand, would make the map available to anyone on the internet, which is not desired when wanting to keep the content private.