Google Street View and Google Maps are invaluable tools for navigation, exploration, and understanding the world around us. Whether you’re a developer, a business owner, or simply a user leveraging these tools for personal projects, it’s crucial to understand the usage guidelines provided by Google. This article aims to clarify these guidelines, ensuring you use Street View and Google Maps appropriately and within the bounds of Google’s terms of service.
Navigating Permitted Uses of Google Maps and Street View
Generally, for many common uses, you don’t need to specifically request permission to use Google’s mapping products. As long as you adhere to the Terms of Service and properly attribute Google as the source, you are typically free to proceed with your project. However, it’s essential to thoroughly review these guidelines to confirm your intended use is permitted. If your use case falls outside these allowed parameters, Google doesn’t offer exceptions, so submitting a request is unnecessary.
Commercial Applications and Google Maps Platform
For commercial purposes, where Google mapping products are integral to revenue generation, such as integrating Google Maps or Street View into a paid mobile or web application, the Google Maps Platform is the designated solution. This platform provides the necessary licenses and tools for commercial utilization, ensuring compliance and offering scalability for business needs.
Fair Use and Copyright Considerations
Your utilization of Google’s content might be considered acceptable under the principles of fair use, a copyright law concept prevalent in the U.S. (and similar concepts exist in other countries). Fair use generally permits the use of copyrighted material in specific contexts without needing direct permission from the copyright holder. However, Google cannot provide legal counsel on whether your particular use qualifies as fair use. Seeking independent legal advice to ascertain your position on fair use is recommended if you are unsure.
Personalizing and Annotating Your Maps
Google encourages users to personalize their maps by adding supplementary information like points, lines, or labels. Many built-in tools facilitate this customization. For instance, Google My Maps allows users to draw lines and shapes directly onto a Google map. Furthermore, the Styling Wizard and a cloud-based styling tool offer options to modify the color schemes of map elements, such as changing water bodies to purple, or to control the visibility of specific components like roads.
If these tools don’t fully meet your customization requirements, you have the option to export an image from Google Earth or Earth Studio, or capture a screenshot from Google Maps. These images can then be further enhanced with custom labels or graphics using third-party software.
While annotations are welcomed, it’s imperative that you do not significantly alter the fundamental appearance of Google Maps, Google Earth, Earth Studio, or Street View as they appear online. Modifying the colors of the product interface or removing Google’s attribution are prohibited.
For content originating from Google Earth and Earth Studio, avoid making substantial alterations to the imagery without clearly indicating that it is a simulation, projection, or fictional representation. This ensures viewers are not misled about the authenticity of the visual information.
Trademark Usage: Referencing Google Products Correctly
Google’s trademarks are valuable assets, and their correct usage is important to Google. These trademarks encompass a range of terms and icons, including “Google Earth,” “Google Maps,” the Google Maps red pin, “Street View,” the Pegman logo, and others.
You are permitted to use these trademarks to accurately refer to Google’s products and services, provided that such references are appropriate and align with Google’s trademark guidelines. It’s essential to use only approved versions of Google’s trademarks and adhere to all general trademark usage guidelines, the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service, and the Street View Trusted badge usage guidelines. These trademark usage guidelines are applicable even to trademarks that may no longer be actively used in connection with Google products.
For detailed information on the correct usage of Google icons, logos, and names, please consult the brand elements guidelines. By understanding and respecting these guidelines, you ensure proper and lawful use of Google Street View and Google Maps in your projects.
