Now, you can virtually visit a place while in front of your computer or mobile device. Using the feature added to Google Maps last 2007, Google Street View is only available in several major cities in the United States but has since expanded to include other cities and rural areas worldwide including the Philippines.
If you access Google Street View on your personal computer, laptop, or mobile device, and search for the address that you want to visit, if Google Street View is available you can easily view the place in 360 degrees, it’s like you’re in the place where you can look around by simply dragging your mouse or swiping your screen.
You can visit all the popular tourist destination around the world in front of your computer or devices, if you still wonder how you can use the instructions below as your reference.
With Google Street View, you can “visit” almost any location in the world from the comfort of your home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to exploring a place virtually with Street View:
In the search bar, type the name of the place, landmark, or address you want to visit. Google Maps will zoom in on the location.
Enter Street View Mode Desktop : Drag the Pegman (the little yellow person icon) from the lower right corner and drop it onto the map where blue lines appear, or click the thumbnail beside it. The blue lines indicate areas with available Street View imagery.
Mobile : Tap on the location, and if Street View is available, a small thumbnail image will appear. Tap this to enter Street View.
Explore the Area Use your mouse or finger to navigate around:
Click or tap to move forward or backward along the road. Rotate by clicking and dragging (on desktop) or swiping (on mobile) to look in different directions. Switch to 360° Panoramic Views If you’re at a popular location, you may also see 360° photos, which let you look around in all directions. Tap on any available photospheres for an immersive experience.
Zoom in for Details Use the scroll wheel (desktop) or pinch-to-zoom (mobile) to get a closer view of specific details.
Use Time Travel (Optional) On desktop, Google Street View offers a time travel feature in some locations. Click the clock icon (if available) to view older imagery and see how the place has changed over time.
Explore Local Information Many places include detailed photos, reviews, and other info, making the experience richer. Look for images, popular times, and even recent reviews.
Street View works for streets, historical sites, national parks, and even specific indoor locations like museums and landmarks, making it an amazing tool for virtual exploration!
Thanks to Google for making this feature available to the public for free, it’s a big help if you want to familiarize the place that you want to visit. It is also very useful to those who are looking for the specific establishment or just want to experience the place.
Although some are afraid that it can be used by lawless people to their advantage, Google assures that Street View is only available in public places and nothing to be afraid because all the image captured are being masked to protect the privacy.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have about Google Street View:
1. What is Google Street View?
Google Street View is a feature of Google Maps and Google Earth that provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets around the world. It allows you to explore real-world locations virtually.
2. How often is Street View updated?
The update frequency varies depending on the location. Busy urban areas may get updated every year or two, while more remote locations might take longer. Google uses various cars, trekkers, and even drones in some cases to capture images for Street View.
3. Why can’t I find Street View in certain areas?
Some areas might not have Street View due to privacy concerns, local laws, geographic challenges, or simply because Google hasn’t yet mapped that location. Certain countries have opted out or have strict regulations on data collection.
4. How can I use Street View to see past images?
On the desktop version, you can use the “time travel” feature in Street View by clicking the clock icon in the top-left corner (if available). This allows you to view older images captured at that location and see how it’s changed over time.
5. Is it possible to add or request a Street View for a specific location?
Yes, users can add their own 360° photos to Google Maps using the Street View app on mobile devices. However, adding official Street View coverage is up to Google’s discretion based on their resources and plans.
6. How does Google protect privacy in Street View images?
Google automatically blurs faces and license plates in Street View images to protect privacy. If a specific detail is not blurred, users can report it by selecting “Report a problem” within Street View.
7. Can I use Street View offline?
No, Street View requires an internet connection to load the images. However, Google Maps does allow users to download offline maps, though this doesn’t include Street View imagery.
8. How can I use Street View for indoor locations?
Some places, like museums, shops, and other public venues, have indoor Street View. Look for “Indoor” icons or tap on the thumbnail when available, and you’ll be able to explore interiors.
9. Is Google Street View free to use?
Yes, Street View is free on both the Google Maps website and app.
10. How can I control the view and move around in Street View?
On desktop, you can click and drag to look around, and use the arrows to move forward or backward along a street. On mobile, swipe to look around and tap the arrows to navigate along roads.
Related Articles 
Skip to content 
