Google is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its 3D map service, Google Earth, with a commemorative content that looks back on major milestones and memorable moments along the way. Since its launch in 2005, Google Earth has become a geographic information platform used by billions of people around the world.
When it first launched in 2005, Google Earth made a splash, garnering over 100 million downloads in its first week alone. That same year, when Hurricane Katrina hit the United States, it partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide emergency responders with real-world imagery, demonstrating the technology’s practical value.
In the 2010s, aerial photography using kites and balloons was introduced, opening up the possibility for the public to observe the Earth from the sky. The Chrome extension 'Earth View', which captures beautiful landscapes from around the world, was released, and the 'Timelapse' function, based on 24 million satellite images taken over 35 years, was introduced, providing interactive content that shows changes on the Earth at a glance.
As of 2025, users can now directly access historical Street View imagery, allowing them to virtually travel back in time to track changes in places. Specialized data sets, such as urban water canopy analysis and land surface temperature, are also available.
For 20 years, Google Earth has gone beyond just a mapping tool to provide inspiration and utility to scientists, urban planners, educators, and everyday users. Google is grateful to the users and community around the world who have joined us on this journey, and looks forward to the next 20 years.
