Google Maps
Google Maps provides mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical Street View images.
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Google Maps provides mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical Street View images.
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Google Maps is a web-based service offering comprehensive information about geographical regions globally. It provides road maps, aerial and satellite views, street views which makes it a good resource for open source researchers. It includes features like real-time traffic updates, business information, 3D views, and location sharing. Accessible through web, mobile, and API integrations, Google Maps supports many geolocation needs.
Features:
3D view
Add or edit map: add or edit items like missing places or business.
Compass North: realign the map to compass north.
Current Location: option to centre the map at user's location.
Directions: get directions from your current location or between two locations by Best Travel modes, Driving, Transit, Walking, Cycling, Flights.
Layers: multiple map layers available including Transit, Traffic, Biking, Terrain, Street View, Wildfires, Air Quality, Satellite.
Location Sharing: users can choose to share their location through the mobile app with friends and visualise it in the web app.
Manage your Data: ensure the privacy of user data.
Measure distance: measure distance between points in kilometers.
Print: print the current map or save it to PDF.
Recents: a historical list of recent searches.
Save: save custom maps and locations as Lists, Labeled, and Visited.
Search: search by address, general location, or latitude and longitude.
Send to phone (from the web client): share the current view to your phone.
Sharing and embedding: share selected locations as a link, embed or to social media with URL shortening available.
Show Imagery: show photos uploaded by users of specific locations. This imagery also displays the capture date in very small text bottom right.
Sidebar: for a city Iconic parts of the city Hotels, Neighborhoods, Restaurants, Hotels, Things to do, Museums, Transit, Pharmacies, ATMs.
Street View: see current and historical Street View imagery. This imagery displays the capture date in very small text bottom right and using see more dates in the popup will show all street view captures across time in a timeline below the map.
Timeline (Mobile only): a record of your locations and searches.
Travel Time
Weather: see the current weather at the selected location.
Zoom tool: zoom in and out on the map.
Google Maps is available in the following formats:
Mobile
The example below shows a search for Amsterdam:
Event Visualization: By utilizing the satellite and street view features, researchers can offer readers a visual context of an event location, making stories more immersive.
Investigative Research: Google Maps can be an invaluable tool for investigative journalism, allowing reporters to explore and gather information on otherwise inaccessible locations or properties.
Environmental and Urban Changes: The historical imagery available on Google Maps enables researchers to document changes in the environment or urban expansion over time, supporting stories on climate change or urban development.
Historical Street View Imagery and Historical images: can be useful to geolocate events.
Web: any modern web browser
Mobile: iOS and Android
Developer Platform: Google account with email address and a credit card.
Limited Offline Functionality: While there is an option for offline maps, not all features, like real-time traffic updates, are available in this mode.
When journalists use Google Maps, they should consider the following ethical aspects:
Privacy and Anonymity: Be cautious when reporting on sensitive areas or topics. Ensure individuals' locations or movements are not disclosed without consent, especially in contexts where revealing locations could endanger lives or privacy.
Dependence and Verification: While Google Maps is a powerful tool for gathering information about locations, researchers should cross-verify this information with other sources to avoid dependence on a singular digital map service.
Ethical Use of API: If utilizing the Google Maps API for data visualization or storytelling, ensure that the usage complies with Google's terms of service and respects user privacy and data usage policies. Unauthorized use or manipulation of data could lead to ethical concerns and legal issues.
To effectively use Google Maps, especially for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, the following resources are highly recommended:
Official Wiki
Tutorials and Articles
Video Tutorials
Community and Support
Anisa Shabir GAP member
: Developer API
Location Verification: Researchers can use Google Maps to verify the location of a news event, checking the geographical accuracy of claims made in various reports. Be aware that not all imagery is current, see: .
A new tool, , enables users to view the filenames of images on Google Maps, providing contextual information. Typically, filenames do not display when viewing an image on Google Maps. However, after installing the tool as a Google Chrome extension, filenames automatically appear on images when using Google Maps. See more about this tool in our guide “.”
Data Availability: While Google Maps offers comprehensive coverage, the availability of Streetview imagery, particularly in less populated or updated areas, may vary. For more information on how and when Street View imagery is collected see .
API Usage Limits: For developers using the Google Maps API, there are usage limits. Exceeding these limits without purchasing additional credits can lead to service interruptions. Google offers many APIs for mapping, geocoding and other GIS services. Each service comes with its own limits depending on the service. and information of the Maps Javascript API are something to investigate before using the service but for many low workload users will not be an issue.
Privacy Concerns: There are privacy issues related to location tracking and data collection. Users should be aware of the data being shared with Google. Although Google provide information on how to it's important to be aware of .
Imagery Currency: Satellite images may not be current in all areas see .
Data Accuracy and Misrepresentation: Verify the accuracy of the information provided by Google Maps. Misrepresenting a location, either intentionally or accidentally due to outdated or incorrect map data, can lead to misinformation and harm reputations. Be in particular and aware of the time lag behind the gathering of Street View imagery. For more information on how Google tries to ensure accuracy see and .
Impartiality and Bias: Understand the limitations of Google Maps in representing disputed territories or areas of conflict. Be aware of how the depiction of these areas might convey a particular political stance or bias. Examples of this can be seen in and .
‘Create Custom Maps in Google Maps’ (no date) Berkeley Advanced Media Institute. Available at: (Accessed: 5 April 2024).
How to keep using Google Maps even when your phone is offline (2023) Google. Available at: (Accessed: 4 April 2024).
Toler, A. (2020) How (Not) To Report On Russian Disinformation, bellingcat. Available at: (Accessed: 4 April 2024).
Youri (2018) ‘How to tell the geolocation of places based on old sources using OSINT — a case study’, Quiztime, 2 November. Available at: (Accessed: 26 June 2024).
10 Minute Tip: Google Maps for OSINT (2020). Available at: (Accessed: 4 April 2024).
Google Maps API: Developers looking to integrate Google Maps into their websites or applications should refer to the for comprehensive documentation and coding examples.
: Explore the official for guides on basic functionalities, from searching locations to understanding map views.
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