Everything you ever wanted to know about Google Earth...

...but were too afraid to ask.

The New Google Earth

Navigating in the new Google Earth

  • The Navigation tools are in the bottom right hand corner.
  • Zoom with the +, -, or pinch. You can also double click anywhere on the screen to zoom in to that specific location.
  • Click Pegman to highlight any place where Street Views are available. Click on the highlights to view imagery.
  • Holding "Shift" and dragging the mouse forward/backward will make the Google Earth camera parallel to the ground.
  • Click on the crosshair to fly to your current location.
  • The 3D button will tilt the view and fly in an orbit around your current location. You must be fairly close to the ground for this to work.
  • Can also drag the digital globe in the bottom right to move around.


Searching in the new Google Earth:

  • Click the magnifying glass, search for any location on Planet Earth
  • Locations you search for can be added to your Google Earth bookmarks to view later.
  • The more specific your search, the more reliable your result
  • Generic searches (I.E. Starbucks) will look for those locations around your current location.

Create and Explore your own Bookmarks

  • Add places to your bookmarks to easily access them later.
  • You can export your bookmarks as a KML/KMZ file to open in Google My Maps.
  • You can edit your bookmark names, too.
  • Bookmarks can be used to show locations to students of places studying in class (settings of books, famous locations from history, etc)

Knowledge Cards

  • Learn more about locations by first doing a search in Google Earth (the Eiffel Tower, Gettysburg, etc).
  • Click the card which appears in the top right hand corner
  • Knowledge cards also show business hours, phone numbers, and helpful web listings
  • For physical landmarks and parks, the cards show topographical maps, related locations, and trivia.
  • Cards give more specific information and are good starters for research projects.

The I'm Feeling Lucky Button

  • Roll the dice by clicking the button, and travel to one of 25,000+ different locations around the world.
  • Great way to "get lost" in the new Google Earth
  • Make for quality student writing prompts

Customizing the Map Style

  • Have lower performing Chromebooks? Change the Map Style to fit your device: Clean, Exploration, or Everything.
  • You can also customize your own Google Earth look and feel (get rid of the cloud layer, view bodies of water, landmarks, etc)
  • Wonderful way to show students what the Earth looks like with no boundaries/borders.

Google Earth Voyages

  • Voyages are the new "Tours" of Google Earth
  • Interactive learning experiences for students
  • Voyages include Youtube Videos, weblinks, and helpful information
  • Organized by content area
  • Can be used for instruction or student self-guided learning
  • Voyages can be shared to Google Classroom

Share Earth imagery and Street Views to posts in Google Classroom:

  • Find the image/location/street view you want your class to see.
  • Click the "Share" button in Google Earth and select Classroom.
  • Select the class for the post/assignment/question.
  • Your selected Earth imagery is automatically attached onto your assignment/question/post for your students to view and interact with.

Uploading KML/KMZ Files to Google Earth

Classic Google Earth Tours Work, too!

  • You can upload a classic Google Earth Tour (with videos and animations) and view it on the new Earth, too!

Viewing Photos in the new Google Earth

  • Open the Google Earth menu.
  • Select "Photos" to see all user submitted photos on Google Earth
  • You can scroll through multiple photos for different locations

Editing basic KML files

  • Import your KML file and click "Edit"
  • Click the folder/location name you want to change
  • Press the "label" button and edit the name of your placemark.

Viewing Tourbuilder Files

  • Create a Tour telling a story at tourbuilder.withgoogle.com.
  • Make your tour publically viewable, then click the three lines in the top right.
  • Click "Open in Earth" to view your tour in the new Google Earth.

The World Turned Upside Down

  • Sick of your students telling you that North is up?
  • Click and drag over the poles to invert Google Earth.
  • The country and ocean names remain right-side up.
  • Click the compass in the bottom right to flip it back.

The Measurement Tool

  • Measure distances, perimeter, and area using the new Measurement Tool
  • Click the little ruler in the lower left.
  • Click multiple points to determine distance.
  • Connect points to create a polygon.