Google Earth#Resolution and accuracy

The core technology behind Google Earth was originally developed at Intrinsic Graphics in the late 1990s. At the time, the company was developing 3D gaming software libraries.{{cite book |title=Never Lost Again: The Google Mapping Revolution That Sparked New Industries and Augmented Our Reality |publisher=Harper Business |first1=Bill |last1=Kilday |year=2018 |isbn=978-0062673046 }} As a demo of their 3D software, they created a spinning globe that could be zoomed into, similar to the Powers of Ten film. The demo was popular, but the board of Intrinsic wanted to remain focused on gaming, so in 1999, they created Keyhole, Inc., headed by John Hanke. Keyhole then developed a way to stream large databases of mapping data over the internet to client software, a key part of the technology, and acquired patchworks of mapping data from governments and other sources. The product, called "Keyhole EarthViewer", was sold on CDs for use in fields such as real estate, urban planning, defense, and intelligence; users paid a yearly fee for the service. Despite making several capital deals with Nvidia and Sony,{{cite news| url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2003-03-20-earthviewer_x.htm| title = Tiny tech company awes viewers| author = Kevin Manney| newspaper = USA Today| date = March 21, 2003| access-date = August 29, 2017| archive-date = September 13, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120913092856/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2003-03-20-earthviewer_x.htm| url-status = live}} the small company was struggling to pay and retain employees.

Fortunes for the company changed in early 2003 during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when Dave Lorenzini (Director at Keyhole) enticed CNN, ABC, CBS and other major news networks to use their sophisticated 3D flyby imagery to illustrate Baghdad activities for viewers, in exchange for on-air attribution. During the invasion, It was used extensively by Miles O'Brien and other on-air broadcasters, allowing CNN and millions of viewers to follow the progress of the war in a way that had never been seen before. Public interest in the software exploded and Keyhole servers were not able to keep up with demand. Keyhole was soon contacted by the Central Intelligence Agency's venture capital firm, In-Q-Tel,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-05-09/meet-the-cias-venture-capitalist |magazine=Bloomberg Businessweek |title=Meet The CIA's Venture Capitalist |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605121646/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-05-09/meet-the-cias-venture-capitalist |archive-date=June 5, 2013 }} and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency,{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/03/07/the-google-military-surveillance-complex/|title=Oakland emails give another glimpse into the Google-Military-Surveillance Complex|publisher=PandoDaily|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508154602/https://pando.com/2014/03/07/the-google-military-surveillance-complex/|url-status=dead}} for use with defense mapping databases, which gave Keyhole a much-needed cash infusion. Intrinsic Graphics was sold in 2003 to Vicarious Visions after its gaming libraries did not sell well, and its core group of engineers and management including Brian McClendon and Michael Jones transitioned to Keyhole with Hanke remaining at the head.

At the time, Google was finding that over 25% of its searches were of a geospatial character, including searches for maps and directions. In October 2004, Google acquired Keyhole as part of a strategy to better serve its users.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB109888284313557107|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=October 27, 2004|access-date=December 3, 2017|title=Google Acquires Keyhole|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171107/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB109888284313557107|url-status=live}} Keyhole's Earth Viewer was the foundation for what became Google Earth in 2005 while other aspects of its core technology were integrated into Google Maps.{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/28/google_buys_keyhole/|title=Google buys CIA-backed mapping startup|last=Orlowski|first=Andrew|date=October 28, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211040159/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/28/google_buys_keyhole/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|url-status=live|publisher=The Register|author-link=Andrew Orlowski}}

In 2021, Google replaced its layers feature with a new one on its Google Earth software.{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2021 |title=New layers set in Google Earth Pro! |author=Staff |url=https://support.google.com/earth/thread/117930184/new-layers-set-in-google-earth-pro?hl=en%20layers%20feature |url-status=live |access-date=November 9, 2011 |work=Google Earth Help |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109223634/https://support.google.com/earth/thread/117930184/new-layers-set-in-google-earth-pro?hl=en%20layers%20feature }}{{what|date=February 2025}} This replacement consolidated some layers, but also removed some layers and features.{{Cite web|date=September 4, 2021|title=County boundaries and other information missing from new Borders and Labels layer|url=https://support.google.com/earth/thread/124369583/county-boundaries-and-other-information-missing-from-new-borders-and-labels-layer?hl=en|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=Google Earth Help|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109223635/https://support.google.com/earth/thread/124369583/county-boundaries-and-other-information-missing-from-new-borders-and-labels-layer?hl=en}}

Google Earth's imagery is displayed on a digital globe, which displays the planet's surface using a single composited image from a far distance. After zooming in far enough, the imagery transitions into different imagery of the same area with finer detail, which varies in date and time from one area to the next. The imagery is retrieved from satellites or aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en|title=How images are collected|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919215532/https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779|url-status=live}} Before the launch of NASA and the USGS's Landsat 8 satellite, Google relied partially on imagery from Landsat 7, which suffered from a hardware malfunction that left diagonal gaps in images.{{cite web|url=https://landsat.usgs.gov/slc-products-background|publisher=United States Geological Survey|title=SLC-off Products: Background|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072341/https://landsat.usgs.gov/slc-products-background|archive-date=August 7, 2017|url-status=dead}} In 2013, Google used datamining to remedy the issue, providing what was described as a successor to the Blue Marble image of Earth, with a single large image of the entire planet. This was achieved by combining multiple sets of imagery taken from Landsat 7 to eliminate clouds and diagonal gaps, creating a single "mosaic" image.{{cite web|url=https://maps.googleblog.com/2013/06/only-clear-skies-on-google-maps-and.html|title=Only clear skies on Google Maps and Earth|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072138/https://maps.googleblog.com/2013/06/only-clear-skies-on-google-maps-and.html|url-status=live}} Google has since used myriad sources to provide imagery in a higher quality and with greater frequency.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/27/google-earth-and-maps-get-sharper-satellite-imagery-with-new-update/|publisher=Tech Crunch|title=Google Earth and Maps get sharper satellite imagery with new update|date=June 27, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072458/https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/27/google-earth-and-maps-get-sharper-satellite-imagery-with-new-update/|url-status=live}} Imagery is hosted on Google's servers, which are contacted by the application when opened, requiring an Internet connection.

Imagery resolution ranges from {{convert|0.15 to 15|meters|ft}} except for the ocean floor, which ranges from {{convert|100 to 1000|meters|ft}}. For much of the Earth, Google Earth uses digital elevation model data collected by NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.{{cite journal |doi=10.1029/2005RG000183 |bibcode = 2007RvGeo..45.2004F|title = The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission|journal = Reviews of Geophysics|volume = 45|issue = 2|pages = RG2004|last1 = Farr|first1 = Tom G.|last2 = Rosen|first2 = Paul A.|last3 = Caro|first3 = Edward|last4 = Crippen|first4 = Robert|last5 = Duren|first5 = Riley|last6 = Hensley|first6 = Scott|last7 = Kobrick|first7 = Michael|last8 = Paller|first8 = Mimi|last9 = Rodriguez|first9 = Ernesto|last10 = Roth|first10 = Ladislav|last11 = Seal|first11 = David|last12 = Shaffer|first12 = Scott|last13 = Shimada|first13 = Joanne|last14 = Umland|first14 = Jeffrey|last15 = Werner|first15 = Marian|last16 = Oskin|first16 = Michael|last17 = Burbank|first17 = Douglas|last18 = Alsdorf|first18 = Douglas|year = 2007|citeseerx = 10.1.1.102.9372| s2cid=140735782 |issn=1944-9208 }} This creates the impression of three-dimensional terrain, even where the imagery is only two-dimensional.

{{anchor|Copyright}} Google asserts that every image created from Google Earth using satellite data provided by Google Earth is a copyrighted map. Any derivative from Google Earth is made from data that Google claims copyright under United States Copyright Law. Google grants license to this data allowing, among other things, non-commercial personal use of the images (e.g., on a personal website or blog) as long as copyrights and attributions are preserved.{{cite web |publisher=Google Earth Help Center |url=http://earth.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=21422 |title=Can I post images to the web? |access-date=January 20, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051807/http://earth.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=21422 |url-status=live }} By contrast, images created with NASA's globe software WorldWind use The Blue Marble, Landsat, or USGS imagery, each of which is in the public domain.

{{Anchor|historicalimagery}} In version 5.0, Google introduced Historical Imagery, allowing users to view earlier imagery. Clicking the clock icon in the toolbar opens a time slider, which marks the time of available imagery from the past. This feature allows for observation of an area's changes over time.{{cite web | url = http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/dive-into-new-google-earth.html | title = Dive into New Google Earth | access-date = February 3, 2009 | archive-date = February 3, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090203181324/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/dive-into-new-google-earth.html | url-status = live }} Utilizing the timelapse feature allows for the ability to view a zoom-able video as far back as 38 years."Timelapse." Google Earth Engine, earthengine.google.com/timelapse/.

[[File:3D locations in Google Earth.svg|thumb|410px|Countries with 3D coverage in Google Earth as of May 2024:

{{legend|#ED1C24|Countries with 3D coverage (55, including Hong Kong and Macau)}}

{{legend|#B9B9B9|Countries without 3D coverage}}]]

File:Google_Earth_(iOS)_-_3D_Mode_at_Wisconsin_Dells_Great_Wolf_Lodge.png version of Google Earth, seen here at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin|301x301px]]

Google Earth shows 3D building models in some cities, including photorealistic 3D imagery made using photogrammetry.Gopal Shah, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suo_aUTUpps Google Earth's Incredible 3D Imagery, Explained] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611222736/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suo_aUTUpps |date=June 11, 2020 }}, April 18, 2017 The first 3D buildings in Google Earth were created using 3D modeling applications such as SketchUp and, beginning in 2009, Building Maker,{{cite web|url=https://maps.googleblog.com/2009/10/introducing-google-building-maker.html|title=Introducing Google Building Maker|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819071811/https://maps.googleblog.com/2009/10/introducing-google-building-maker.html|url-status=live}} and were uploaded to Google Earth via the 3D Warehouse. In June 2012, Google announced that it would be replacing user-generated 3D buildings with an auto-generated 3D mesh.{{cite web|url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.ca/2012/10/explore-world-with-tour-guide-and-3d.html|title=Explore the world with tour guide and 3D imagery in Google Earth 7|publisher=Google LatLong Blog|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128194004/http://google-latlong.blogspot.ca/2012/10/explore-world-with-tour-guide-and-3d.html|url-status=live}} This would be phased in, starting with select larger cities, with the notable exception of cities such as London and Toronto which required more time to process detailed imagery of their vast number of buildings. The reason given is to have greater uniformity in 3D buildings and to compete with Nokia Here and Apple Maps, which were already using this technology. The coverage began that year in 21 cities in four countries.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/31/google-earth-adds-new-3d-imagery-in-21-cities-to-its-11000-guided-tours-of-our-planet/|title=Google Earth adds new 3D imagery in 21 cities to its 11,000 guided tours of our planet|access-date=July 24, 2016|date=November 2012|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000600/https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/31/google-earth-adds-new-3d-imagery-in-21-cities-to-its-11000-guided-tours-of-our-planet/|url-status=live}} By early 2016, 3D imagery had been expanded to hundreds of cities in over 40 countries, including every U.S. state and encompassing every continent except Antarctica.

In 2009, in a collaboration between Google and the {{lang|es|Museo del Prado|italic=no}} in Madrid, the museum selected 14 of its paintings to be photographed and displayed at the resolution of 14,000 megapixels inside the 3D version of the Prado in Google Earth and Google Maps.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jan/14/museums-internet-google-earth-prado|title=Online gallery zooms in on Prado's masterpieces (even the smutty bits)|author=Giles Tremlett|author-link=Giles Tremlett|date=January 14, 2009|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202105601/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jan/14/museums-internet-google-earth-prado|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.museodelprado.es/en/whats-on/new/14-masterpieces-from-the-museo-del-prado-in/220f2fe9-beec-44a2-afdb-8c67ff37256c|title=14 masterpieces from the Museo del Prado in mega-high resolution on Google Earth|date=January 14, 2009|access-date=December 3, 2017|publisher=Museo del Prado|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204222822/https://www.museodelprado.es/en/whats-on/new/14-masterpieces-from-the-museo-del-prado-in/220f2fe9-beec-44a2-afdb-8c67ff37256c|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Google Street View}}

On April 15, 2008, with version 4.3, Google fully integrated Street View into Google Earth.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2293967,00.asp|magazine=PC Magazine|date=May 6, 2008|access-date=January 1, 2018|first=Tony|last=Hoffman|title=Google Earth 4.3|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221002129/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2293967,00.asp|url-status=live}} Street View displays 360° panoramic street-level photos of select cities and their surroundings. The photos were taken by cameras mounted on automobiles, can be viewed at different scales and from many angles, and are navigable by arrow icons imposed on them.

Using Street View on Google Earth, users can visit and explore 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with historical context and pins for each. The sites include the Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, Sagrada Família, the Dolomites, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Great Sphinx.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/google-earth-visit-historical-world-heritage-sites-while-social-distancing-2020-3#16-the-great-sphinx-of-giza-stands-along-the-nile-river-16|title=Check out 30 famous World Heritage sites you can virtually visit on Google Earth while social distancing|publisher=Business Insider|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321194121/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-earth-visit-historical-world-heritage-sites-while-social-distancing-2020-3#16-the-great-sphinx-of-giza-stands-along-the-nile-river-16|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Walt Disney World and Pixar partnered with Google to create Pixar Street View. A unique activation that enabled viewers to search for hidden Pixar Easter eggs inside Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios through street view. This creative collaboration elevated Pixar's iconic tradition of hiding Easter eggs in films and introduced it to an immersive new platform.{{Cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/07/pixar-easter-eggs-hidden-in-google-street-view-imagery-of-toy-story-land-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|title=Pixar Easter Eggs Hidden in Google Street View Imagery of Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios|website=Disney Parks Blog|date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105065055/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/07/pixar-easter-eggs-hidden-in-google-street-view-imagery-of-toy-story-land-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|url-status=dead}}

Introduced in Google Earth 5.0 in 2009, the Google Ocean feature allows users to zoom below the surface of the ocean and view the 3D bathymetry. Supporting over 20 content layers, it contains information from leading scientists and oceanographers.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7865407.stm | work=BBC News | title=Google Earth dives under the sea | date=February 2, 2009 | access-date=May 3, 2010 | archive-date=March 10, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310191619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7865407.stm | url-status=live }} On April 14, 2009, Google added bathymetric data for the Great Lakes.{{Cite news|url=https://maps.googleblog.com/2009/04/google-earth-now-includes-us-third.html|title=Google Earth now includes US "Third Coast"|newspaper=Google Lat Long |access-date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111210646/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/04/google-earth-now-includes-us-third.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/01/new_view_of_ocean_floor_in_google_e.html |title=New View of Ocean Floor in Google Earth |work=Gearthblog.com |access-date=August 25, 2010 |date=January 18, 2009 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803163301/https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/01/new_view_of_ocean_floor_in_google_e.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2011, Google increased the resolution of some deep ocean floor areas from 1-kilometer grids to 100 meters.{{cite web |url=http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2814 |title=New Google Ocean Maps Dive Deep |publisher=The Earth Institute – Columbia University |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405105746/http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2814 |url-status=live }} The high-resolution features were developed by oceanographers at Columbia University's Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory from scientific data collected on research cruises. The sharper focus is available for about 5 percent of the oceans. This can be seen in the Hudson off New York City, the Wini Seamount near Hawaii, and the Mendocino Ridge off the U.S. Pacific coast.{{cite web |url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/06/see-seafloor-like-never-before-on-world.html |title=Google Lat Long: See the seafloor like never before on World Oceans Day |publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621014531/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/06/see-seafloor-like-never-before-on-world.html |url-status=live }}

File:Google Earth Mars.png landscape]]

File:Google Earth Sky.png

File:Google moon 1.jpg lunar module Eagle and Tranquility Base as portrayed in Google Moon]]

Google has programs and features, including within Google Earth, allowing exploration of Mars, the Moon, the view of the sky from Earth and outer space, including the surfaces of various objects in the Solar System.

Google Sky is a feature that was introduced in Google Earth 4.2 on August 22, 2007, in a browser-based application on March 13, 2008,{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/sky/ |title=Google Sky |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731051817/http://www.google.com/sky/ |url-status=live }} and to Android smartphones, with augmented reality features. Google Sky allows users to view stars and other celestial bodies.{{cite web | title =Explore the sky with Google Earth | date =August 22, 2007 | url =http://earth.google.com/sky/skyedu.html | access-date =August 22, 2007 | archive-date =July 3, 2012 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120703051038/http://earth.google.com/sky/skyedu.html | url-status =live }} It was produced by Google through a partnership with the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, the science operations center for the Hubble Space Telescope. Alberto Conti and his co-developer Carol Christian of STScI planned to add the public images from 2007,{{cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12523 |title=Celestial add-on points Google Earth at the stars – tech – August 22, 2007 – New Scientist Tech |publisher=Technology.newscientist.com |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916084159/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12523 |url-status=live }} as well as color images of all of the archived data from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. Then-newly released Hubble pictures were added to the Google Sky program as soon as they were issued.

New features such as multi-wavelength data, positions of major satellites and their orbits as well as educational resources are provided to the Google Earth community and also through Christian and Conti's website for Sky.{{cite web |url=http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/gsky/ |title=Explore Astronomy – gSky Browser |publisher=HubbleSite |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225105616/http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/gsky/ |url-status=live }} Also visible on Sky mode are constellations, stars, galaxies, and animations depicting the planets in their orbits. A real-time Google Sky mashup of recent astronomical transients, using the VOEvent protocol, is provided by the VOEventNet collaboration.{{cite web|url=http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/09/06_GoogleSky.shtml|title=Astronomers eager to add to Sky in Google Earth|publisher=University of California Berkeley|access-date=December 3, 2017|date=September 6, 2007|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061313/http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/09/06_GoogleSky.shtml|url-status=live}} Other programs similar to Google Sky include Microsoft WorldWide Telescope and Stellarium.

Google Mars is an application within Google Earth that is a version of the program for imagery of the planet Mars. Google also operates a browser-based version, although the maps are of a much higher resolution within Google Earth, and include 3D terrain, as well as infrared imagery and elevation data. There are also some extremely high-resolution images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera that are of a similar resolution to those of the cities on Earth. Finally, there are many high-resolution panoramic images from various Mars landers, such as the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, that can be viewed in a similar way to Google Street View.

Mars also has a small application found near the face on Mars. It is called Meliza, a robot character the user can speak with.{{cite web |url=http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/02/chat-with-martian-in-google-earth-5.html |title=Chat With a Martian in Google Earth 5 |publisher=Googlesystem.blogspot.com |date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119173453/http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/02/chat-with-martian-in-google-earth-5.html |url-status=live }}

Originally a browser application, Google Moon is a feature that allows exploration of the Moon. Google brought the feature to Google Earth for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/07/look_at_the_moon_in_google_earth_-.html |title=Look at the Moon in Google Earth – Available Now! | Google Earth Blog |publisher=Gearthblog.com |access-date=August 25, 2010 |date=July 20, 2009 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201141207/https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/07/look_at_the_moon_in_google_earth_-.html |url-status=live }} It was announced and demonstrated to a group of invited guests by Google along with Buzz Aldrin at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/07/google_earth_event_on_july_20th_in.html |title=Google Earth Event on July 20th in DC – Expect the Moon | Google Earth Blog |publisher=Gearthblog.com |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803163236/https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/07/google_earth_event_on_july_20th_in.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/07/fly-yourself-to-moon.html |title=Google LatLong: Fly yourself to the moon |publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com |date=July 20, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301162718/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/07/fly-yourself-to-moon.html |url-status=live }} Google Moon includes several tours, including one for the Apollo missions, incorporating maps, videos, and Street View-style panoramas, all provided by NASA.

Google Earth has numerous features that allow the user to learn about specific places. These are called "layers", and include different forms of media, including photo and video. Some layers include tours, which guide the user between specific places in a set order. Layers are created using the Keyhole Markup Language, or KML, which users can also use to create customized layers.{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/kml/ |title=Keyhole Markup Language — Google Developers |date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512023723/https://developers.google.com/kml/ |url-status=live }} Locations can be marked with placemarks and organized in folders; For example, a user can use placemarks to list interesting landmarks around the globe, then provide a description with photos and videos, which can be viewed by clicking on the placemarks while viewing the new layer in the application.

In December 2006, Google Earth added a new integration with Wikipedia and Panoramio. For the Wikipedia layer, entries are scraped for coordinates via the {{self-reference link|Template:Coord|Coord templates}}. There is also a community layer from the project Wikipedia-World. More coordinates are used, different types are in the display, and different languages are supported than the built-in Wikipedia layer.{{cite web |url=http://tools.wikimedia.de/~kolossos/world-link.php?lang=en |title=Earth |access-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-date=April 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404143101/http://tools.wikimedia.de/~kolossos/world-link.php?lang=en |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.webkuehn.de/hobbys/wikipedia/geokoordinaten/index.htm |title=Homepage von Stefan Kühn |publisher=webkuehn.de |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=March 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309024346/http://www.webkuehn.de/hobbys/wikipedia/geokoordinaten/index.htm |url-status=live }} The Panoramio layer features pictures uploaded by Panoramio users, placed in Google Earth based on user-provided location data. In addition to flat images, Google Earth also includes a layer for user-submitted panoramic photos, navigable in a similar way to Street View.

Google Earth includes multiple features that allow the user to monitor current events. In 2007, Google began offering users the ability to monitor traffic data provided by Google Traffic in real-time, based on information crowdsourced from the GPS-identified locations of cell phone users.{{cite web | last = Wang | first = David | title = Stuck in traffic? | date = February 28, 2007 | url = http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2007/02/stuck-in-traffic.html | access-date = February 14, 2014 | archive-date = February 12, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170212190835/https://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2007/02/stuck-in-traffic.html | url-status = live }}

File:Toronto downtown.png as seen from an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a simulated flight]]

In Google Earth 4.2, a flight simulator was added to the application. It was originally a hidden feature when introduced in 2007, but starting with 4.3, it was given a labeled option in the menu. In addition to keyboard control, the simulator can be controlled with a mouse or joystick.{{cite web |url=https://support.google.com/earth/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=148089 |title=Use Google Earth flight simulator – Google Earth Help |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528063027/http://support.google.com/earth/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=148089 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Wall |first1=Matthew |title=Webwise: Google's flight simulator |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/webwise-googles-flight-simulator-nhmcx9556pd |website=www.thetimes.com |publisher=The Sunday Times |language=en |date=January 27, 2008}} The simulator also runs with animation, allowing objects such as planes to animate while on the simulator.{{cite web |url=http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/08/planes_for_google_earth_flight_simu.html |title=Planes For Google Earth Flight Simulator | Google Earth Blog |publisher=Gearthblog.com |access-date=July 30, 2012 |date=August 11, 2009 |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930235428/http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/08/planes_for_google_earth_flight_simu.html |url-status=live }}

Another flight simulator, GeoFS, was created under the name GEFS-Online using the Google Earth Plug-in API to operate within a web browser. As of September 1, 2015, the program now uses the open-source program CesiumJS, due to the Google Earth Plug-in being discontinued.{{cite web|url=https://cesiumjs.org/2016/07/12/Moving-GEFS-Online-from-Google-Earth-to-Cesium/|title=Moving GEFS Online from Google Earth to Cesium|work=Cesium Blog|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615135618/http://cesiumjs.org/2016/07/12/Moving-GEFS-Online-from-Google-Earth-to-Cesium/|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Liquid Galaxy}}

Liquid Galaxy is a cluster of computers running Google Earth creating an immersive experience. On September 30, 2010, Google made the configuration and schematics for their rigs public,{{cite web|url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/09/galaxy-of-your-own.html|title=A galaxy of your own|publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com|date=September 30, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2012|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330010016/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/09/galaxy-of-your-own.html|url-status=live}} placing code and setup guides on the Liquid Galaxy wiki.{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/liquid-galaxy/|title=Liquid Galaxy wiki on code.google.com|date=September 30, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2012|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330013036/http://code.google.com/p/liquid-galaxy/|url-status=live}} Liquid Galaxy has also been used as a panoramic photo viewer using KRpano, as well as a Google Street View viewer using Peruse-a-Rue{{cite web| url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/liquid-galaxy/z0VXsLhimsw| title=Peruse-a-Rue: Street View for Liquid Galaxy| date=September 3, 2013| access-date=November 20, 2013| archive-date=January 22, 2011| archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20110122130054/https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/liquid-galaxy/z0VXsLhimsw| url-status=live}} Peruse-a-Rue is a method for synchronizing multiple Maps API clients.{{cite web| url=http://blog.endpoint.com/2013/11/liquid-galaxy-and-its-very-own-street.html| title=Liquid Galaxy and its Very Own Street View App| date=November 9, 2013| access-date=November 20, 2013| archive-date=November 19, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119072532/http://blog.endpoint.com/2013/11/liquid-galaxy-and-its-very-own-street.html| url-status=dead}}

{{Missing information|the specific versions and their respective differences|date=January 2023}}

Google Earth has been released on macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The Linux version began with the version 4 beta of Google Earth, as a native port using the Qt toolkit. The Free Software Foundation considers the development of a free compatible client for Google Earth to be a High Priority Free Software Project.[http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority.html FSF.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810230457/http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority.html |date=August 10, 2007 }}: High Priority Free Software Projects Google Earth was released for Android on February 22, 2010,{{cite web |url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/02/google-earth-now-available-for-android.html |title=Google Earth now available for Android |publisher=google-latlong.blogspot.com |access-date=August 15, 2010 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005350/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/02/google-earth-now-available-for-android.html |url-status=live }} and on iOS on October 27, 2008.{{cite magazine| url=http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/google-earth-co.html| title=Google Earth Comes to the iPhone| magazine=Wired| date=October 27, 2008| last=Sorrel| first=Charlie| access-date=October 27, 2008| archive-date=April 22, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422203231/http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/google-earth-co.html| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url=http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/10/google-earth-now-available-for-iphone.html| title=Google Earth now available for the iPhone| publisher=Google Mobile team| date=October 27, 2008| access-date=October 27, 2008| archive-date=February 4, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174125/http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/10/google-earth-now-available-for-iphone.html| url-status=live}} The mobile versions of Google Earth can make use of multi-touch interfaces to move on the globe, zoom or rotate the view, and allow to select the current location. An automotive version of Google Earth was made available in the 2010 Audi A8.{{cite web |last=Redmer |first=Jens |url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/12/google-audi-take-google-services-in-car.html |title=Google LatLong: Google & Audi take Google services in a car to the next level in the new Audi A8 |publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com |date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017055435/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/12/google-audi-take-google-services-in-car.html |url-status=live }} On February 27, 2020, Google opened up its web-based version of Earth to browsers like Firefox, Edge, and Opera.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/27/21155707/google-earth-firefox-edge-opera-support-webassembly-code-update-web-release|title=Google Earth finally available in browsers other than Chrome|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=February 27, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227123743/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/27/21155707/google-earth-firefox-edge-opera-support-webassembly-code-update-web-release|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/27/google-earth-web-assembly-firefox-edge-opera/|title=Google Earth finally works on Firefox, Edge and Opera browsers|website=Engadget|date=February 27, 2020 |language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228003626/https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/27/google-earth-web-assembly-firefox-edge-opera/|url-status=live}}

File:Google Earth.png]]

Google Earth Pro was originally the business-oriented upgrade to Google Earth, with features such as a movie maker and data importer. Up until late January 2015, it was available for $399/year, though Google decided to make it free to the public.{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/google-earth-pro-is-now-free-1682987518 |title=Google Earth Pro Is Now Available for Free |author=Kate Knibbs |date=February 2, 2015 |access-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703041123/https://gizmodo.com/google-earth-pro-is-now-free-1682987518 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Robert |title=Good News Everyone! Google Earth Pro Now Free! |url=http://mapshole.com/2015/02/11/google-earth-pro-now-free/ |website=Mapshole |access-date=February 22, 2015 |date=February 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726175647/http://mapshole.com/2015/02/11/google-earth-pro-now-free/ |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Google Earth Pro is currently the standard version of the Google Earth desktop application as of version 7.3.{{cite web |url=https://support.google.com/earth/answer/40901?hl=en |title=Notes on Google Earth releases, Help Center |work=Google Earth Pro Support Community |date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408181021/https://support.google.com/earth/answer/40901?hl=en |url-status=live }} The Pro version includes add-on software for movie making, advanced printing, and precise measurements, and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.{{cite web|title=Google Earth for Desktop|url=https://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/desktop.html|website=Google Earth|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222022903/http://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/desktop.html|url-status=live}}

Discontinued in December 2008, Google Earth Plus was a paid subscription upgrade to Google Earth that provided customers with the following features, most of which have become available in the free Google Earth.{{cite web|url=http://earth.google.com/enterprise/earth_plus.html |title=Google Earth Plus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420013757/http://earth.google.com/enterprise/earth_plus.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2017}} One such feature was GPS integration, which allowed users to read tracks and waypoints from a GPS device. A variety of third-party applications have been created which provide this functionality using the basic version of Google Earth by generating KML or KMZ files based on user-specified or user-recorded waypoints.

Google Earth Enterprise is designed for use by organizations whose businesses could take advantage of the program's capabilities, for example by having a globe that holds company data available for anyone in that company.{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/enterprise/earthmaps/enterprise.html |title=Google Earth Enterprise – Google Earth and Maps Enterprise |access-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210065725/https://www.google.com/enterprise/earthmaps/enterprise.html |url-status=live }} As of March 20, 2015, Google has retired the Google Earth Enterprise product, with support ended on March 22, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://support.google.com/earthenterprise/#topic=2802998 |title=(Deprecated) Google Earth Enterprise Help |access-date=July 12, 2016 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826190959/https://support.google.com/earthenterprise/#topic=2802998 |url-status=live }} Google Earth Enterprise allowed developers to create maps and 3D globes for private use, and host them through the platform. GEE Fusion, GEE Server, and GEE Portable Server source code was published on GitHub under the Apache2 license in March 2017.{{cite web |url=https://maps-apis.googleblog.com/2017/01/open-sourcing-google-earth-enterprise.html |title=Open-Sourcing Google Earth Enterprise |work=Google Geo Developers Blog |access-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218014914/https://www.google.com/images/errors/robot.png |url-status=live }}

Google Earth Studio is a web-based version of Google Earth used for animations using Google Earth's 3D imagery. As of June 2021, it is preview-only and requires signing up to use it.{{Cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://www.google.com/earth/studio/faq/|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Google Earth Studio|language=en|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814174627/https://www.google.com/earth/studio/faq/|url-status=live}} It features keyframe animation, presets called "Quick-Start Projects", and 3D camera export.{{Cite web|title=Google Earth Studio|url=https://www.google.com/earth/studio/|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Google Earth Studio|language=en|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125213200/https://www.google.com/earth/studio/|url-status=live}}

Google Earth 9 is a version of Google Earth first released on April 18, 2017, having been in development for two years.{{Cite web|url=https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/n5kxulcQUTM|title=Google Groups|website=productforums.google.com|access-date=April 22, 2017|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203081016/https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/n5kxulcQUTM|url-status=live}} The main feature of this version was the launching of a new web version of Google Earth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2017/04/first-review-new-google-earth.html|title=First Review of New Google Earth - Google Earth Blog|date=April 18, 2017|work=Google Earth Blog|access-date=April 22, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423072252/https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2017/04/first-review-new-google-earth.html|url-status=live}} This version added the "Voyager" feature, whereby users can view a portal page containing guided tours led by scientists and documentarians.{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/04/google-earth-adds-guided-video-tours-from-bbcs-planet-earth-and-others/|title=Google Earth gets a new home on the Web, fancy "guided tour" section|work=Ars Technica|access-date=April 22, 2017|language=en-us|archive-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421135215/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/04/google-earth-adds-guided-video-tours-from-bbcs-planet-earth-and-others/|url-status=live}} The version also added an "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, represented by a die, which takes the user to a random location on Earth along with showing them a "Knowledge Card" containing a short excerpt from the location's Wikipedia article.

The Google Earth API was a free beta service, allowing users to place a version of Google Earth into web pages. The API enabled sophisticated 3D map applications to be built.{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/earth/ |title=Google Earth API — Google Developers |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501182856/https://developers.google.com/earth/ |url-status=live }} At its unveiling at Google's 2008 I/O developer conference, the company showcased potential applications such as a game where the player controlled a milktruck atop a Google Earth surface.{{cite web|last=Teglet|first=Traian|title=Driving the Monster Milktruck in Google Earth|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Driving-the-Monster-Milktruck-in-Google-Earth-86765.shtml|publisher=Softpedia|access-date=March 30, 2012|date=May 29, 2008|archive-date=May 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507151550/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Driving-the-Monster-Milktruck-in-Google-Earth-86765.shtml|url-status=dead}} The Google Earth API has been deprecated as of December 15, 2014, and remained supported until December 15, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/earth/|title=Google Earth API Developer's Guide|date=May 8, 2015|work=Google Developers|access-date=May 24, 2013|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501182856/https://developers.google.com/earth/|url-status=live}} Google Chrome ended support for the Netscape Plugin API (which the Google Earth API relies on) by the end of 2016.{{cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2013/09/saying-goodbye-to-our-old-friend-npapi.html|title=Chromium Blog: Saying Goodbye to Our Old Friend NPAPI|work=Chromium Blog|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122184036/https://blog.chromium.org/2013/09/saying-goodbye-to-our-old-friend-npapi.html|url-status=live}}

On November 16, 2016, Google released a virtual reality version of Google Earth for Valve's Steam computer gaming platform.{{cite web|url=https://vr.google.com/earth/|title=Google Earth VR|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223110252/https://vr.google.com/earth/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blog.google/products/google-vr/google-earth-vr-bringing-whole-wide-world-virtual-reality/|title=Google Earth VR Bringing the Whole Wide World to Virtual Reality|date=November 16, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104013822/https://www.blog.google/products/google-vr/google-earth-vr-bringing-whole-wide-world-virtual-reality/|url-status=live}} Google Earth VR allows users to navigate using VR controllers, and is currently compatible with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets. On September 14, 2017, as part of Google Earth VR's 1.4 update, Google added Street View support.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/14/google-earth-vr-app-gets-support-for-street-view/|title=Google Earth VR App Gets Support for Street View|work=TechCrunch|date=September 14, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103193521/https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/14/google-earth-vr-app-gets-support-for-street-view/|url-status=live}}

Google Earth Outreach is a charity program, through which Google promotes and donates to various non-profit organizations. Beginning in 2007, donations are often accompanied by layers featured in Google Earth, allowing users to view a non-profit's projects and goals by navigating to certain related locations.{{cite web|url=http://earth.google.com/outreach/index.html|title=Google Earth Outreach|access-date=December 21, 2014|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330004916/http://earth.google.com/outreach/index.html|url-status=live}} Google Earth Outreach offers online training on using Google Earth and Google Maps for public education on issues affecting local regions or the entire globe. In June 2008, training was given to 20 indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest, such as the Suruí, to help them preserve their culture and raise awareness for the problem of deforestation.{{cite web|url=http://earth.google.com/outreach/amazon1.html|title=Google Earth Outreach Goes to the Amazon|access-date=December 21, 2014|archive-date=March 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317062823/http://earth.google.com/outreach/amazon1.html|url-status=dead}}

Non-profit organizations featured in Google Earth via the Outreach program include Arkive, the Global Heritage Fund, WaterAid, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.{{cite web|url=https://thegoodhuman.com/exploring-global-awareness-layers-in-google-earth/|title=Exploring Global Awareness Layers in Google Earth|publisher=The Good Human|date=November 26, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2018|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528234143/https://thegoodhuman.com/exploring-global-awareness-layers-in-google-earth/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.arkive.org/Earth/ocean.html|title=Explore Arkive using Google Earth|access-date=January 2, 2018|publisher=Arkive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125183317/http://www.arkive.org/Earth/ocean.html|archive-date=November 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}

File:Flii globe.png, created in Google Earth Engine]]

Google Earth Engine is a cloud computing platform for processing satellite imagery and other geospatial and observation data. It provides access to a large database of satellite imagery and the computational power needed to analyze those images.{{cite news| last= Gardner| first= Timothy| url= https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B13RK20101202| title= Google unveils satellite platform to aid forest efforts| publisher= reuters| date= December 2, 2010| access-date= January 3, 2018| archive-date= December 5, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101205031303/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B13RK20101202| url-status= live}} Google Earth Engine allows observation of dynamic changes in agriculture, natural resources, and climate using geospatial data from the Landsat satellite program, which passes over the same places on the Earth every sixteen days.{{Cite web|url=https://earthengine.google.com/faq/|title=FAQ – Google Earth Engine|website=earthengine.google.com|access-date=March 20, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411002111/https://earthengine.google.com/faq/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author= Dunbar, Brian|title= New Public Application of Landsat Images Released|website= NASA|date= n.d.|access-date= March 19, 2014|url= http://www.nasa.gov/content/new-public-application-of-landsat-images-released/#.UynQuvldWht|archive-date= March 11, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140311103810/http://www.nasa.gov/content/new-public-application-of-landsat-images-released/#.UynQuvldWht|url-status= live}} Google Earth Engine has become a platform that makes Landsat and Sentinel-2 data easily accessible to researchers in collaboration with the Google Cloud Storage. Google Earth Engine provides a data catalog along with computers for analysis; this allows scientists to collaborate using data, algorithms, and visualizations.{{cite journal |last1= Gorelick|first1= Noel|date= April 2013|title= Google Earth Engine|bibcode= 2013EGUGA..1511997G|journal= EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts|volume= 15|pages= EGU2013–11997}} The platform provides Python and JavaScript application programming interfaces for making requests to the servers,{{Cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/|title=Introduction {{!}} Google Earth Engine API {{!}} Google Developers|website=Google Developers|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2018|archive-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528172744/https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/|url-status=live}} and includes a graphical user interface{{Cite web|title=Earth Engine Code Editor {{!}} Google Earth Engine|url=https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/guides/playground|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Google Developers|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127175702/https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/guides/playground|url-status=live}} for developing applications.

An early prototype of Earth Engine, based on the Carnegie Institute for Science's CLASlite system and Imazon's Sistema de Alerta de Desmatamento (SAD) was demonstrated in 2009{{Cite web|title=Seeing the forest through the cloud|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/seeing-forest-through-cloud.html|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Official Google Blog|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127175701/https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/seeing-forest-through-cloud.html|url-status=live}} at COP15, and Earth Engine was officially launched in 2010{{Cite web|date=December 2, 2010|title=Introducing Google Earth Engine|url=https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/introducing-google-earth-engine/|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Google|language=en-us|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127175704/https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/introducing-google-earth-engine/|url-status=live}} at COP16, along with maps of the water in the Congo Basin and forests in Mexico produced by researchers using the tool.

In 2013, researchers from University of Maryland produced the first high-resolution global forest cover and loss maps using Earth Engine, reporting an overall loss in global forest cover.{{cite web|author=Hansen, M. C.|display-authors=etal|date=November 15, 2013|title=Global Forest Change|url=https://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/google.com/science-2013-global-forest|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-date=February 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223183318/http://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/google.com/science-2013-global-forest|url-status=live}} Other early applications using Earth Engine spanned a diverse variety of topics, including: Tiger Habitat Monitoring,{{Cite journal|last1=Joshi|first1=Anup R.|last2=Dinerstein|first2=Eric|last3=Wikramanayake|first3=Eric|last4=Anderson|first4=Michael L.|last5=Olson|first5=David|last6=Jones|first6=Benjamin S.|last7=Seidensticker|first7=John|last8=Lumpkin|first8=Susan|last9=Hansen|first9=Matthew C.|date=April 1, 2016|title=Tracking changes and preventing loss in critical tiger habitat|journal=Science Advances|language=en|volume=2|issue=4|pages=e1501675|bibcode=2016SciA....2E1675J|doi=10.1126/sciadv.1501675|issn=2375-2548|pmc=4820387|pmid=27051881}} Malaria Risk Mapping,{{Cite web|title=UCSF, Google Earth Engine Making Maps to Predict Malaria|url=https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/09/116906/ucsf-google-earth-engine-making-maps-predict-malaria|access-date=March 22, 2018|website=UC San Francisco|date=September 10, 2014 |language=en|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030626/https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/09/116906/ucsf-google-earth-engine-making-maps-predict-malaria|url-status=live}} Global Surface Water,{{Cite news|date=December 7, 2016|title=The nature of water: unveiling the most detailed view of water on Earth|language=en|work=Google|url=https://blog.google/topics/google-europe/nature-water-unveiling-most-detailed-view-water-earth/|access-date=March 22, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030603/https://blog.google/topics/google-europe/nature-water-unveiling-most-detailed-view-water-earth/|url-status=live}} increases in vegetation around Mount Everest,{{cite news|last1=Barkham|first1=Patrick|date=January 10, 2020|title=Grass growing around Mount Everest as global heating intensifies|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/10/grass-growing-around-mount-everest-as-global-heating-intensifies|access-date=January 10, 2020|issn=0261-3077|via=www.theguardian.com|archive-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418055310/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/10/grass-growing-around-mount-everest-as-global-heating-intensifies|url-status=live}} and the annual Forest Landscape Integrity Index.{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|year=2020|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|page=5978|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|issn=2041-1723|pmc=7723057|pmid=33293507|doi-access=free|last18=Goetz|first41=E.|first44=R.|last44=Tizard|first43=T.|last43=Tear|first42=R.|last42=Taylor|last41=Stokes|first45=O.|first40=T.|last40=Stevens|first39=B.|last39=Strassburg|first38=A.|last38=Shapiro|last45=Venter|last46=Visconti|last37=Silverman|last15=Ervin|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|first15=J.|first46=P.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first48=J. E. M.|last48=Watson|first47=S.|last47=Wang|first37=J.|first36=C.|first18=S.|last23=Kang|last26=Lieberman|first25=W. F.|last25=Laurance|first24=P.|last24=Langhammer|first23=A.|first22=S.|last27=Linkie|last22=Jupiter|first21=P.|last21=Jantz|first20=E.|last20=Hofsvang|first19=A.|last19=Hansen|first26=S.|first27=M.|last36=Samper|first32=N. J.|first35=S.|last35=Saatchi|first34=J.|last34=Radachowsky|first33=H.|last33=Possingham|last32=Murray|first17=E.|first31=R.|last31=Mittermeier|first30=M.|last30=Mendez|first29=S.|last29=Maxwell|first28=Y.|last28=Malhi}} Since then, Earth Engine has been used in the production of hundreds of scientific journal articles{{Cite journal|last1=Amani|first1=Meisam|last2=Ghorbanian|first2=Arsalan|last3=Ahmadi|first3=Seyed Ali|last4=Kakooei|first4=Mohammad|last5=Moghimi|first5=Armin|last6=Mirmazloumi|first6=S. Mohammad|last7=Moghaddam|first7=Sayyed Hamed Alizadeh|last8=Mahdavi|first8=Sahel|last9=Ghahremanloo|first9=Masoud|last10=Parsian|first10=Saeid|last11=Wu|first11=Qiusheng|date=2020|title=Google Earth Engine Cloud Computing Platform for Remote Sensing Big Data Applications: A Comprehensive Review|journal=IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing|volume=13|pages=5326–5350|doi=10.1109/JSTARS.2020.3021052|bibcode=2020IJSTA..13.5326A|s2cid=221848196|issn=2151-1535|doi-access=free|hdl=2117/359277|hdl-access=free}} in many fields including: forestry and agriculture, hydrology, water quality monitoring and assessment,{{Cite journal |last1=Akbarnejad Nesheli |first1=Sara |last2=Quackenbush |first2=Lindi J. |last3=McCaffrey |first3=Lewis |date=January 2024 |title=Estimating Chlorophyll-a and Phycocyanin Concentrations in Inland Temperate Lakes across New York State Using Sentinel-2 Images: Application of Google Earth Engine for Efficient Satellite Image Processing |journal=Remote Sensing |language=en |volume=16 |issue=18 |pages=3504 |doi=10.3390/rs16183504 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2024RemS...16.3504A |issn=2072-4292}} natural disaster monitoring and assessment, urban mapping, atmospheric and climate sciences and soil mapping.

Earth Engine has been free for academic and research purposes since its launch, but commercial use was prohibited until 2021, when Google announced a preview of Earth Engine as a commercial cloud offering and early adopters that included Unilever, USDA and Climate Engine.{{Cite web|title=Commercial – Google Earth Engine|url=https://earthengine.google.com/commercial/|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=earthengine.google.com|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128232440/https://earthengine.google.com/commercial/|url-status=live}}

{{further|List of satellite map images with missing or unclear data}}

The software has been criticized by a number of special interest groups, including national officials, as being an invasion of privacy or posing a threat to national security. The typical argument is that the software provides information about military or other critical installations that could be used by terrorists. Google Earth has been blocked by Google in Iran[https://productforums.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!category-topic/earth/problems-and-errors/EBYhLh_amzI "Why is Google Earth being blocked in Iran?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102094807/https://productforums.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!category-topic/earth/problems-and-errors/EBYhLh_amzI |date=January 2, 2021 }} Google Earth Help forums June 17, 2009 and Sudan[http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article21501 "Google Earth ban in Sudan is due to US export restrictions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411053211/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article21501 |date=April 11, 2020 }} Sudan Tribune, April 22, 2007 since 2007, due to United States government export restrictions. The program has also been blocked in Morocco since 2006 by Maroc Telecom, a major service provider in the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.ogleearth.com/2006/08/morocco_censors.html |title=Morocco censorship? |publisher=Ogleearth.com |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-date=June 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603091720/http://www.ogleearth.com/2006/08/morocco_censors.html |url-status=live }}

Image:Royal Stables.jpg, Netherlands. This has since been lifted.]]

In the academic realm, increasing attention has been devoted to both Google Earth and its place in the development of digital globes. In particular, the International Journal of Digital Earth features multiple articles evaluating and comparing the development of Google Earth and its differences when compared to other professional, scientific, and governmental platforms.{{cite journal |last1=Arza-García |first1=Marcos |last2=Gil-Docampo |first2=Mariluz |last3=Ortiz-Sanz |first3=Juan |last4=Martínez-Rodríguez |first4=Santiago |title=Virtual globes for UAV-based data integration: Sputnik GIS and Google Earth™ applications |journal=International Journal of Digital Earth |date=May 4, 2019 |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=583–593 |doi=10.1080/17538947.2018.1470205 |bibcode=2019IJDE...12..583A |hdl=10347/16754 |s2cid=134211000 |issn=1753-8947|hdl-access=free }} Google Earth's role in the expansion of "Earth observing media" has been examined to understand how it is shaping a shared cultural consciousness regarding climate change and humanity's capacity to treat the Earth as an engineerable object.{{Cite journal|title=Google Warming|journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies|volume=20|pages=85–107|doi=10.1177/1354856513516266|year=2014|last1=Gurevitch|first1=Leon|s2cid=144987331}}

• In 2006, one user spotted a large topographical replica in a remote region of China. The model is a small-scale (1/500) version of the Karakoram Mountain Range, which is under the control of China but claimed by India. When later confirmed as a replica of this region, spectators began entertaining military implications.{{cite news | url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/web/chinese-xfile-excites-spotters/2006/07/20/1153166503699.html | title=Chinese X-file excites spotters | access-date=January 25, 2007 | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=July 20, 2006 | archive-date=January 27, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127231705/http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/chinese-xfile-excites-spotters/2006/07/20/1153166503699.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/9972.html|title=From sky, see how China builds model of Indian border 2400 km away|access-date=January 25, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123084226/http://www.indianexpress.com/story/9972.html|archive-date=January 23, 2007}}
• In July 2007, it was reported that a new Chinese Navy Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine was photographed at the Xiaopingdao Submarine Base south of Dalian.{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/07/new_chinese_ballistic_missile.php|title=New Chinese Ballistic Missile Submarine Spotted|access-date=July 10, 2007|archive-date=July 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709175611/http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/07/new_chinese_ballistic_missile.php|url-status=dead}}
• Hamas and the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades have reportedly used Google Earth to plan Qassam rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. (See: Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel){{cite news |author=Clancy Chassay in Gaza City and Bobbie Johnson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/oct/25/google.israel |title=Google Earth used to target Israel |newspaper=Guardian |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |location=London |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212190618/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/oct/25/google.israel |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1567442/Google-Earth-used-in-rocket-strikes-on-Israel.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1567442/Google-Earth-used-in-rocket-strikes-on-Israel.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Google Earth used in rocket strikes on Israel|last=Levinson|first=Charles|date=October 26, 2007|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=December 3, 2017}}{{cbignore}}
• On February 13, 2019, 3D imagery was launched in four of Taiwan's cities: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung. This has caused concerns from Taiwanese officials, such as Taiwan's Defense Minister Yen Teh-fa, saying that the 3D imagery exposed some of its Patriot missile sites. Ten days later on February 23, Google confirmed that it would be removing all of its 3D imagery from Taiwan.{{cite news|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3637321|title=Google Maps launches 3D view of Taipei today|publisher=Taiwan News|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019|location=Taipei|archive-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226045941/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3637321|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/google-earth-3d-map-exposes-taiwan-military-bases/|title=Google Earth spills the beans, reveals Taiwan's secret military bases|date=February 19, 2019|publisher=Digital Trends|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226045922/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/google-earth-3d-map-exposes-taiwan-military-bases/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201902230019.aspx|title=3D images of Taiwan to be pulled from Google Maps|publisher=Focus Taiwan|date=February 23, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019|location=Taipei|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225074319/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201902230019.aspx|url-status=dead}}

• Former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam expressed concern over the availability of high-resolution pictures of sensitive locations in India.{{cite web |url=http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=68712&cat_id=582|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320085233/http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=68712&cat_id=582|archive-date=March 20, 2012| title=Kalam Concerned Over Google Earth | access-date=January 25, 2007}} Google subsequently agreed to censor such sites.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Google-Earth-agrees-to-blur-pix-of-key-Indian-sites/articleshow/1559236.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811132728/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-02-04/india/27872874_1_google-earth-images-concern-that-unrestricted-pictures|url-status=live|archive-date=August 11, 2011|title=Google Earth agrees to blur pix of key Indian sites | first1=Rajeev|last1=Deshpande|work=The Times of India|date=February 4, 2007}}
• The Indian Space Research Organisation said Google Earth poses a security threat to India and seeks dialogue with Google officials.{{cite web | url=http://www.techshout.com/internet/2006/10/google-earth-poses-security-threat-to-india-isro-chief-seeks-dialogue/ | title=Google Earth Poses Security Threat to India, ISRO Chief seeks Dialogue | access-date=January 25, 2007 | date=July 10, 2006 | archive-date=February 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212190927/http://www.techshout.com/internet/2006/10/google-earth-poses-security-threat-to-india-isro-chief-seeks-dialogue/ | url-status=live }}
• The South Korean government expressed concern that the software offers images of the presidential palace and various military installations that could possibly be used by its hostile neighbor North Korea.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/TEMP/ea_skorea_09_06.html| title=Google Earth images compromise secret installations in S. Korea | access-date=January 25, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070701162623/http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/TEMP/ea_skorea_09_06.html |archive-date = July 1, 2007}}
• In 2006, Google Earth began offering detailed images of classified areas in Israel. The images showed Israel Defense Forces bases, including secret Israeli Air Force facilities, Israel's Arrow missile defense system, military headquarters and Defense Ministry compound in Tel Aviv, a top-secret power station near Ashkelon, and the Negev Nuclear Research Center. Also shown was the alleged headquarters of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, whose location is highly classified.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3261490,00.html |title=Google 'spying' on IDF |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=June 20, 1995 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |last1=Goldman |first1=Dudi |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607133556/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3261490,00.html |url-status=live }}
• As a result of pressure from the United States government, the residence of the Vice President at Number One Observatory Circle was obscured through pixelization in Google Earth and Google Maps in 2006, but this restriction has since been lifted. The usefulness of this downgrade is questionable, as high-resolution photos and aerial surveys of the property are readily available on the Internet elsewhere.{{Cite web |title=Eyeball-series.org |url=http://www.eyeball-series.org/veep-eyeball.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704221647/http://www.eyeball-series.org/veep-eyeball.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |access-date=September 6, 2006 |website=www.eyeball-series.org}} Capitol Hill also used to be pixelized in this way. The Royal Stables in The Hague, Netherlands, also used to be pixelized. This is also true for airports in Greece.
• The lone surviving gunman involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks admitted to using Google Earth to familiarise himself with the locations of buildings used in the attacks.{{cite news|last=Bedi |first=Rahul |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3691723/Mumbai-attacks-Indian-suit-against-Google-Earth-over-image-use-by-terrorists.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3691723/Mumbai-attacks-Indian-suit-against-Google-Earth-over-image-use-by-terrorists.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mumbai attacks: Indian suit against Google Earth over image use by terrorists |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=December 9, 2008 |access-date=August 6, 2011}}{{cbignore}}
• Michael Finton, aka Talib Islam, used Google Earth in planning his attempted September 24, 2009, bombing of the Paul Findley Federal Building and the adjacent offices of Congressman Aaron Schock in Springfield, Illinois.Gruen, Madeleine,[http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefa_fintontargetamerica.pdf "Attempt to Attack the Paul Findley Federal Building in Springfield, Illinois"]{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301022613/http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefa_fintontargetamerica.pdf |date=March 1, 2012 }}," The NEFA Foundation, December 2009, accessed December 18, 2009

• Operators of the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, asked Google to censor high-resolution pictures of the facility.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1432602.htm| title=Google Earth prompts security fears | website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date=January 25, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070124105253/http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1432602.htm |archive-date = January 24, 2007}} They later withdrew the request.{{cite web|url=http://searchviews.com/archives/2005/08/aussie_nuclear.php|title=Aussie Nuclear Reactor on Google Earth|access-date=January 25, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017173952/http://searchviews.com/archives/2005/08/aussie_nuclear.php|archive-date=October 17, 2006}}
• In 2009, Google superimposed old woodblock prints of maps from 18th- and 19th-century Japan over Japan today. These maps marked areas inhabited by the burakumin caste, formerly known as eta (穢多), literally "abundance of defilement", who were considered "non-humans" for their "dirty" occupations, including leather tanning and butchery. Descendants of members of the burakumin caste still face discrimination today and many Japanese people feared that some would use these areas, labeled etamura (穢多村 "eta village"), to target current inhabitants of them. These maps are still visible on Google Earth, but with the label removed where necessary.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6337499.ece |title=Google Earth maps out discrimination against burakumin caste in Japan |publisher=Timesonline.co.uk |date= May 22, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090927080209/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6337499.ece | archive-date = September 27, 2009 |access-date= January 10, 2018}}
• Late 2000s versions of Google Earth require a software component running in the background that will automatically download and install updates. Several users expressed concerns that there is not an easy way to disable this updater, as it runs without the permission of the user.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/02/why-googles-sof/|title=Why Google's Software Update Tool Is Evil|magazine=Wired|first=Scott|last=Gilbertson|date=February 13, 2009|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=May 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529222923/http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/02/why-googles-sof|url-status=live}}
• In February 2014, the Berlin-based ART+COM charged that Google Earth products infringe U.S. Patent No. RE44,550, entitled "Method and Device for Pictorial Representation of Space-related Data" and had remarkable similarity to Terravision which was developed by ART+COM in 1993 and patented in 1995.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Todd R. |date=February 22, 2014 |title=Google Sued for Alleged Google Earth Patent Infringement |url=https://www.eweek.com/cloud/google-sued-for-alleged-google-earth-patent-infringement |access-date=October 23, 2021 |website=eWEEK |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218014912/https://www.eweek.com/cloud/google-sued-for-alleged-google-earth-patent-infringement/ |url-status=live }} The court decided against Art+Com both at trial{{Cite case|title=ART+COM Innovationpool GmbH v. Google LLC |id=1:14-cv-00217|via=CourtListener|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4220416/artcom-innovationpool-gmbh-v-google-llc/|access-date=October 24, 2021|language=en-us}} and on appeal{{Cite case|title=Art+Com Innovationpool v. Google |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-federal-circuit/1878050.html|access-date=October 24, 2021|via=Findlaw|language=en-US}} because trial testimony showed that Art+Com was aware of an existing, substantially similar invention that it failed to mention as "prior art" in its patent application, thereby invalidating their patent. Stephen Lau, a former employee of federally funded, not-for-profit Stanford Research Institute ("SRI") testified that he helped develop SRI Terravision, an earth visualization application, and that he wrote 89% of the code. He further testified that he shared and discussed SRI Terravision code with Art+Com. Both systems used a multi-resolution pyramid of imagery to let users zoom from high to low altitudes, and both were called Terravision. Art+Com agreed to rename their product because SRI's came first. Stephen Lau died from COVID-19 in March 2020.{{cite web | url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pelham-al/stephen-wong-lau-9106466 | title=Stephen Wong Lau Obituary - Pelham, AL | access-date=October 24, 2021 | archive-date=October 24, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024153638/https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pelham-al/stephen-wong-lau-9106466 | url-status=live }}

Google Earth is featured prominently in the 2021 German miniseries The Billion Dollar Code, which serves as a fictionalized account of a 2014 patent infringement lawsuit brought against Google by the German creators of Terravision.{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/the-billion-dollar-code-the-battle-over-google-earth/a-59433376|title='The Billion Dollar Code': The battle over Google Earth|work=Deutsche Welle|date= October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011050817/https://www.dw.com/en/the-billion-dollar-code-the-battle-over-google-earth/a-59433376|archive-date=October 11, 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021}} The series, which was shown on Netflix is prefaced by an episode of interviews with the ART+COM developers of Terravision and their legal representative.{{cite web |title=The Billion Dollar Code |url=https://www.netflix.com/watch/81187101?trackId=200257858 |website=Netflix.com |publisher=Netflix |access-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218014909/https://www.netflix.com/title/81074012?trackId=200257858 |url-status=live }}

One of the co-founders of Keyhole has published a first-hand account claiming to debunk the origins, timelines and interpretations depicted in the fictionalized miniseries.{{Cite web|last=Bar-Zeev|first=Avi|date=October 14, 2021|title=Was Google Earth Stolen?|url=https://avibarzeev.medium.com/was-google-earth-stolen-7d1b821e589b|access-date=October 17, 2021|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017210813/https://avibarzeev.medium.com/was-google-earth-stolen-7d1b821e589b|url-status=live}} Not shown in the mini-series was that the patent owned by ART+COM and used to challenge Google was completely invalidated, after it was shown that another so-called TerraVision, this one at the Stanford Research Institute, predated ART+COM's ideas by several years.{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2017 |title=CAFC affirms invalidity of geographic map visualization patent asserted against Google Earth |url=https://ipwatchdog.com/2017/10/25/cafc-affirms-invalidity-geographic-map-visualization-patent-asserted-against-google-earth/id=89554/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |website=IPWatchdog.com {{!}} Patents & Intellectual Property Law |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114175707/https://ipwatchdog.com/2017/10/25/cafc-affirms-invalidity-geographic-map-visualization-patent-asserted-against-google-earth/id=89554/ |url-status=live }}

• Elevation
• Esri, publisher of ArcGIS Earth
• Flyover (Apple Maps), similar 3D feature on Apple Maps
• List of space flight simulation games
• Planetarium software
• List of observatory software
• Orthophotomap, the type of aerial and satellite imagery present in Google Earth
• Virtual globe, the category of software that includes Google Earth
• Web mapping

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

{{GeoGroup}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.blog.google/products/maps/ Official Google Maps and Earth blog]
• [https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/index.html Google Earth Outreach]
• [https://earth.google.com/web/data=ClUSUxIgZDY1OGRjYWIzNjlhMTFlOGFjNmU2OWJjN2I2ZDI2Y2EaGjNEIEltYWdlcnkgaW4gR29vZ2xlIEVhcnRoIhNsYXllcl8zZGNvdmVyX3BhbmVs Map of 3D-imagery coverage in Google Earth]

{{Google LLC}}

{{Google Maps navbox}}

{{Android}}

{{Astronomy software}}

{{Earth}}

{{Portal bar|Geography|Astronomy|Stars|Solar System|Science}}

{{Authority control}}

Earth

Category:Virtual globes

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Category:GIS software

Category:IOS software

Category:Internet software for Linux

Category:Keyhole Markup Language

Category:MacOS Internet software

Category:Remote sensing software

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Category:Freemium