# GeoHints

## URL

<https://geohints.com/>

## Description

Geohints provides example images of geographical entities from different countries around the world to help open source researchers identify what country an image may come from.

GeoHints shows pictures of things like license plates, post boxes, road signs, etc. from different countries or regions. Those pictures are often (but not always) taken from Google StreetView.

Geohints was originally created for players of <https://www.geoguessr.com/>.

**Features**

* **Architecture**
* **Bollards**
* **Companies:** images of beers, petrol stations and post offices from different countries.
* **Camera Gens** - different Google camera gens Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4, Trekker
* **Countries** - Google Street View country coverage.
* **Currencies**
* **Domains** url country domains
* **Driving side**
* **Flags**
* **Follow Cars**
* **Google Vehicles**
* **House Numbers**
* **License Plates**
* **Road Lines**
* **Nature** - plants
* **Phone Numbers:** telephone country codes.
* **Post Boxes**
* **Rifts:** camera distortions
* **Scenery**
* **Sidewalks**
* **Road Signs**
* **Snow:** snow coverage in different countries.
* **Street Suffix**
* **Traffic Lights**
* **Utility Poles**
* **Years:** the years in which Google Street View cameras gathered imagery.

## Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Level of difficulty

<table><thead><tr><th data-type="rating" data-max="5"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Requirements

* **Web:** Any modern web browser.

## Limitations

GeoHints has the following limitations:

Some regions and countries have better coverage than others on GeoHints. Not much or no information might be available for some countries.

## Ethical Considerations

GeoHints, like any other geolocation tool, presents several ethical considerations:

* **Privacy Concerns**: Collecting and storing geolocation data can lead to privacy breaches. It's essential to ensure that users are informed and give explicit consent.
* **Bias and Discrimination**: Avoid using geolocation data in ways that could lead to discriminatory practices or biases.
* **Anonymization**: Where possible, anonymize geolocation data to protect the identities of the individuals involved.

## Guides and articles

To effectively use Geohints, especially for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, the following resources are highly recommended:

**Official Wiki**

* [https://geohints.com/FAQ](https://geohints.com/faq)

**Articles**

* *Beginner’s Guide to Geoguessr 3* (no date) *Plonk It*. Available at: <https://www.plonkit.net/beginners-guide-3> (Accessed: 13 June 2024).

**Video**

* *Twitch* (no date) *Twitch*. Available at: <https://www.twitch.tv/geohints> (Accessed: 13 June 2024).
* *What is the Best Way to Learn Geoguessr in 2023?* (2023). Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-PidoFqZFY> (Accessed: 13 June 2024).

#### Community and Support

* Discord service not working

## Tool provider

Not clear

*Research & website: MouseWithBeer*

*Graphical work & research: PV\_93*

*United States part of Geohints: Oddtom*

*Interactive maps: Sören*

## Advertising Trackers

* [ ] This tool has not been checked for advertising trackers yet.
* [x] This tool uses tracking cookies. Use with caution.
* [ ] This tool does not appear to use tracking cookies.

| Page maintainer                                                                    |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Paul - Bellingcat Volunteer Community. Review: Sophie Tedling, Riccardo Giannardi: |
|                                                                                    |