Recently clocked over two million views on google maps photos. What follows is a compilation of the ten most popular photos on Google maps and the story behind them.
Using Google Maps
I first started using Google Maps years ago when travelling. Given an internet connection abroad there was no more getting lost or relying on rip off taxis for small journeys when trying to find a location. Without an internet connection you could download a map using WIFI and then use offline out on the street.
Using Google Photos
Only in the last couple of years have I been using Google photos. I mostly use Google Photos to organise the many snaps I take with my mobile phone. But into the Google photos albums you can also upload imaged optimised for the web but captured with other cameras.
Adding Photos to Google Maps
When Google detects your photos are of a given location( using GPS coordinates stored in exif data) you receive a notification on your mobile device. You can then add this photo to google maps and optionally provide a review. Alternatively you can add photos manually to Google maps, but you need to select a location that is already on the map.
Traffic Source
As a Google contributor, you have an associated profile. Within the profile you can add links etc to your own websites and social media pages. I thought maybe adding popular photos to google maps might provide a traffic source to this website. This has not really materialised, but I enjoy adding photos to Google maps knowing it helps people. So without further ado here are the ten most popular photos on Google maps.
1. Bayham Old Abbey
At number 1 with 99403 views is Bayham old abbey. I visited Bayham abbey just less then a year ago having moved back to East Sussex.
I discovered the location of Bayham old abbey not on google maps but on Ordnance survey maps as I was planning a walk over the High Weald in Kent from Lamberhurst. Great spot, not very well know.
2. Barley High Street
Number 2 with 97905 views is a photo of Barley high street in Hertfordshire. Nothing spectacular about that snap but guess people are more interested in the pub and coach bus hire that it has been associated with.
Still that day out in Barley over the east Hertfordshire countryside was a memorable day. Barley is quite a remote part of Hertfordshire, just goes to show you don’t know what photos on google maps will be popular.
3. Boscombe Pier, Dorset
At number 3 is Boscombe Pier in Dorset with 84646 views to date. I was temporary living in Bournemouth while in between jobs. Each morning I would walk the beach from Bournemouth and into Boscombe pass the pier.
Most of my photos of Boscombe pier were captured on my mobile phone, rarely taking my camera on those early morning beach walks. They were much more about getting out for a walk, some fresh air and exercise.
4. Camber Castle
Coming in at number 4 is a shot of Camber Castle with 83521 views to date. Much like Bayham Abbey, Camber castle is an ancient ruin not so well known.
Camber Castle is quite remote located on Marshland between Winchelsea and Rye in east Sussex. Its quite spectacular though and not surprised Camber Castle features twice in the top ten.
5. Studland Beach
At number 5 is a photo of Studland beach in Dorset with 81774 views. Studland beach is a beautiful area of Dorset to visit and not surprised its getting lots of views on Google maps.
This photo of the sand dunes on Studland beach is an example of a photo I shot with my DLSR not mobile phone. Later uploading to Google photos then sharing on Google maps.
6. IBIS Stevenage
At number 6 is a night photo of the Ibis hotel in Stevenage town centre with 66612 views. It was early February and started snowing, that inspired me to take a snap with my mobile phone. I was in Stevenage for the night due to an interview I had the next morning.
Not surprisingly I not have any landscape photos of Stevenage. Still I like to take lots of snaps on my mobile phone of places I visit. Google photos has a great feature whereby it takes you down memory lane from 1 year to n years on this date depending on how far back your photo archive goes. I got the job and spent the next 10 months in Stevenage and exploring the landscape of east England.
7. Pistone Hill Chilterns
Coming in at number 7 with 58558 views is Pitstone hill in the northern chilterns Buckinghamshire. The jewel in the crown of East England from a landscape photography context was the Chiltern Hills, which are particularly spectacular around Pitstone Hill.
It was a very hot day in June when I visited Pitstone hill in Buckinghamshire. To avoid the heat I arrived early and was out of the area by 10AM. I do remember sitting on top of Pitstone hill early in the morning with a cool breeze blowing high up, feeling really good. This goes to show you can associate landscape locations with photos on Google maps not just buildings.
8. Heartwood Forest
At number 8 on Google map photos was a shot deep within Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire with 51228 views to date. Good thing with Google maps is you can discover new locations to visit via restricting area to parks, nature reserves etc. That’s how I discovered Heartwood forest that day.
I was in Heartwood forest hoping to capture some bluebells which its well known for but I was too early. It was one of those rare days where I found no worthwhile compositions and not get my DLSR out at all. Only snaps on my mobile.
9. Camber Castle
Camber castle in east Sussex appears twice in the top ten with the second entry receiving 50515 views. I just had to visit Camber castle a second time this time during sunset.
Views of Camber castle on Google maps are very popular, no doubt due to its history and intrigue. Visitors to the area probably want to include a walk here.
10. Great Yarmouth Beach
Last but not least coming in 10th at 35001 views is a photo of the promenade along Great Yarmouth beach. While working in Stevenage during the summer, bank holiday weekends I would take trips down to the coast along Norfolk and Suffolk. This included an evening at Great Yarmouth with some street photography.
There is lots to shoot along the seafront at places like Great Yarmouth where you can add many photos of buildings and landmarks to Google maps to boost your views.
Summary Points
That wraps up my top 10 photos on google maps. Its a good way to showcase some of your work to potentially millions of viewers. It may create some leads via contacts through your Google profile attached to your contributor account. Iv become more systematic now when adding photos to google maps. This is by uploading the best photos to google photos and then adding these to Google maps.
You do get points for each photo you add to Google maps and reviews you give, but these dont add up to much. Occasionally I get a voucher to spend in Google store and shopping, but I don’t do it for that. Would be nice though if you could earn some commission relative to views.