How Often Does Google Earth Update Street, Satellite View?

If you’re wondering how often Google Earth and Google Maps update street, satellite, and traffic views, this post will answer all your queries. Here, we’ll explore the policy used by Google to update the data of Google Earth and Google Maps. So, you’ll know how often Google Earth/ Maps updates.

Google Earth provides a 3D interactive environment of Earth that users can explore from different views. Conversely, Google Maps utilize the same data set, allowing users to see their location on a map using GPS. We’ll also explain the core differences between the two similar services here.

How Often Does Google Earth Update

What Is Google Earth?

Google Earth is an application by Google that renders a third-dimensional representation of Earth based chiefly on satellite imagery. The program maps the planet by superimposing satellite images, aerial photography, and GIS data onto a 3D globe, allowing users to view cities and landscapes from different angles. It was formerly known as KeyHole EarthViewer.

Google Earth View

It offers a 3D interactive environment of worth where you can explore the geography of Earth. The app provides an exploring simulation of the planet based on realistic terrain maps and viewing satellite images. You can utilize different angles to watch how the different places on the planet appear.

How Is Google Earth Different From Google Maps?

Google Earth is an application that provides an interactive 3D environment of Earth for users to explore the planet’s geography. However, Google Maps allows users to locate themselves on a location-based service (GPS) in 2D. It is often used for navigation while traveling or visiting new places.

Apart from the dimensional difference between Google Earth and Google Maps, another key difference is that the former is mainly used for exploring. In contrast, the latter is used for routing and navigation. Google Maps also allows you to share your location with friends and family, while Google Earth doesn’t.

Earth vs Maps

The core difference between the two is that Google Earth is an application while Google Maps is a Web Mapping Service. So, if your purpose is viewing different places in a 3D realistic view, Google Earth is the right app, but if you are trying to navigate somewhere, Google Maps is the way to go.

How Often Does Google Earth Update?

According to an official Google Earth blog post, the application’s data is usually updated once a month. However, it doesn’t show any real-time images. This is because Google collects data from various satellite and aerial photography sources, including third-party ones, for immense accuracy.

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After gathering enormous amounts of data, Google takes a good amount of time to process it and put it on the Google Earth app for you to see. You can always see the last updated date and time on imagery for various locations on the app. If you’re a frequent user, you will notice that those don’t update regularly.

Google Earth Data Update

Sometimes the data updates take place in real-time for major events and to aid emergency conditions. For instance, Google Earth updated imagery for the 2012 London Olympic Games just before the Opening Ceremony. Another instance is when the Satellite view data of Google Earth was updated in real-time to help rescue teams to assess damage and target locations just after the Nepal earthquake in April 2015.

Different sorts of views are updated on a different basis. The information above is suitable for the Satellite and Street views of Google Earth, while the Traffic view doesn’t work like that. Google updates traffic data in real time with the help of Google Maps users.

How Often Do Google Maps Update?

Google Maps are updated along with Google Earth, as the same set of satellite data is used for both services. Usually, the satellite view on Google Maps is updated around every one to three years. This is because Google Earth takes a lot of time to process an enormous amount of data from various sources.

Just like Google Earth, Google Maps may also update in real-time when major events occur or at times of crisis. Both services are fairly different but work in a similar manner at the backend. The Traffic view data on Google Maps is updated in real-time to help you navigate better.

Google Maps Traffic View

Google uses the location service (GPS) of different Android users and their movement speed to figure out the Traffic View data for Google Maps. This way, it is updated frequently, while the Street and Satellite view takes a long time.

How Often Does Google Street View Update?

Google Street View is another similar tool that allows you to view different urban and rural locations with realistic frames while sitting at your home. The company collects imagery for Street View by driving, pedaling, sailing, and walking around to capture photos and videos with special cameras.

Another source for Google Street View imagery is from users. They rolled out this feature to allow contributors to add their images to the Street View database for possible inclusion into the map in 2017. So, you can share your photos of a certain location, and there is a chance it’ll be included in Street View.

Google Street View Camera Car

As the data for Google Street View is large, the processing takes a lot of time. Thus, Google Street View has no fixed schedule for updating data. The location data is updated as it’s available, and Google has confirmed it prioritizes locations with no Street View imagery.

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Usually, urban locations undergo major changes instead of rural ones. However, Google will focus more on adding new locations to Street View than adding newly introduced changes to the existing data. Still, major changes are updated on priority, and the accuracy can be around 99%.

How To Request Google To Update Street View?

If you find an inaccuracy in Google Street View data, you can submit the issue to Google and request that they update it. This feature is very useful if your town or street has been renovated, improved, or developed recently or if a major structural change has occurred in your surroundings.

Go to your desired location on Google Street View, then click “Report a Problem.” After that, submit the information in easy-to-understand language.

Report an Issue Google Street View

You can also update pictures of places you’ve traveled to with the Contribution feature on Google Maps. Just tap on the three lines on the Google Maps app and then tap on “Contribute.” Google will review your pictures before adding them to Maps.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How accurate is Google Earth?

A: Google Earth is highly accurate regarding the 3D realistic displays of the planet’s geography. It gets updated data every month. However, it takes 1 to 3 years to process the data and then add it to the application. If you’re looking for numbers, Google Earth is accurate around 80-90% of the time.

Q: Is Google Earth updated in real-time?

A: No, Google Earth is not updated in real-time as the service gets massive amounts of data that needs to be processed accurately. So, there is no fixed schedule for the program to get updates. However, sometimes Google Earth gets updated in real-time when there are major events or times of crisis.
This helps people stay updated with the ongoing happenings around them and in the world. It also helps people in trouble to get the anticipated help. For instance, when an area is hit by a natural calamity like an earthquake or tsunami, Google Earth gets updated in real-time on priority to aid rescue missions.

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Q: How often does Google Earth update Steet View?

A: There is no fixed schedule for Google Earth to update Street View due to the time it takes to process large amounts of data. The imagery for Street View is collected using special cameras by Google via driving, pedaling, sailing, and walking. The imagery from users is also collected to update the data.
Once the data for any location has been gathered, Google processes it to put on the service and provide accurate results. That’s why it is highly accurate and realistic.

Q: Can you request that Google update a certain Street View location?

A: Yes, you can request Google to update any location where you point out inefficiencies on Street View. For that, open the location and click “Report a Problem.” After that, explain and submit the issue and wait for Google to review it. If it is true, Google will make the necessary changes.

Final Words:

Now you know how often Google Earth, Google Maps, and Street View update. The data available on these services is highly processed for accuracy and efficiency. You can always rely on them if you need help from any of these. In case of any inaccuracies, you can report the issue, and Google will fix it.

You can also add your photos to Google Maps using the “Contribute” feature, and if they are good enough, they’ll be selected for the updates. That’s all for this post. Feel free to use the comment box if you have any queries about anything mentioned above.

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