Google announced Tuesday it is extending historical Street View imagery to Google Earth, enabling users to access street-level photo archives directly within the platform for the first time. Previously, this functionality was limited solely to Google Maps. The company introduced the new feature as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations for Google Earth, highlighting the service’s evolution from launch to global sensation.
The decision follows a viral trend across social media last year, in which users took to exploring Google’s historical imagery to virtually revisit meaningful locations, view past versions of their neighborhoods, and reconnect visually with memories of loved ones. Google expects this integration with Earth will now allow even broader exploration possibilities, combining aerial perspectives and detailed street-level insights in one seamless application.
Additionally, Google revealed specialized tools targeted at professional users in the United States. These industry-oriented updates harness AI technology to deliver precise environmental insights about urban landscapes. Examples include mapping tree canopy coverage, allowing cities like Austin, Texas, to clearly identify greener areas and plan where to adopt enhanced cooling strategies. Also provided are land-temperature analytics to pinpoint urban hotspots, further informing effective urban planning decisions.
Reflecting upon two decades since Google Earth first emerged in 2005, the company recalled the application’s immediate popularity, noting its extraordinary milestone of 100 million downloads within just one week. Even today, it remains actively used, with Google recording over two billion place searches within Google Earth throughout the past year.
