Google Maps Now Covers 98% Of The Earth's Population

In the past few years, Google Maps has become more helpful and informative with imaginary. Ever wonder how Google manages to gather that hefty amount of information for its app? The answer can be found in a blog post shared by the company itself, providing insight into the process of map-making.

According to the search engine giant, the company has collected 10 million mile-worth of images for its Street View function. In other words, this distance is enough to wrap around the Earth 400 times.

The company also said that it had in its stock 36 million square mile-worth of images in HD quality, an equivalence of 98% of the human habitats. This is the first time Google releases such information about one of its most popular products, Maps.

Google also uncover the methods it has been using to gather as many images as possible. A commonly-used technique is to use Street View cars that come equipped with cameras to capture the landscapes from various angles as they drive. For the regions that have no roads for cars or those vehicles are forbidden to enter, trekkers are usually sent wearing Street View Trekker backpacks.

In addition to these methods, another called photogrammetry is also used to piece images together. The same method used to create VR experiences is also employed. You may have seen one of its applications with the Versailles virtual tour.

This information may confirm the fear of privacy-conscious users who think that Google has had way too much data on us, the neighborhoods where we live, and what we do on the internet.

Google, like many other tech giants, has most of its revenue from targeting ads by exploiting user data.