While zooming through the streets on Google Maps, you will have noticed that faces are blurred out. This practice protects privacy, which is exactly why some houses are blurred, too. With a blurred house on Street View, strangers can’t use Google Maps to get a look at your property.
Nowadays, it is not unusual to see a house blurred on Google Street View and most of the time, the explanation for this is simple. But why would Google Maps blur a house? According to Google-Contributed Street View Imagery Policy, faces of people and license plates are automatically blurred.
Google Street View (not quite the same thing as Google Maps) blurs road signs to prevent its competitors using it. So Google blurs signs, which prevents use by potential competitors but doesn’t affect consumers who want to know whether that restaurant they just found using Google search has some off street parking.
Another popular inquiry is “Why does Google Street View blur faces and number plates?”.
Google have sophisticated software that automatically detects and blurs faces and number plates in Street View imagery in order to protect people’s privacy. It is not perfect, however, and we often get emails asking us to blur peoples faces or number plates in Street View.
Some authors claimed according to Google-Contributed Street View Imagery Policy, faces of people and license plates are automatically blurred. You can also request additional blurring of your face or car license plate if you think it is needed. This same policy lets you request to blur your entire house, car, or body by submitting the “ Report a problem ” tool.
Can I Blur my House on Google Street View?
NOTE: Once you request your house to be blurred, you can’t request Google to unblur it. This means when you go to sell your house, people will not be able to see your house in Street View and may therefore be discouraged. You’ll have to rely on advertising and new photos to sell. Open the location in the Google Maps version of Street View.
How do I request that my house be blurred on street view?
Enter into Street View mode by dragging the small yellow human-shaped icon, found in the bottom-right corner of the screen, onto the map in front of your house 3. With your house in view, click “Report a problem” in the bottom-right corner of the screen 4. Center the red box on your home, and select “My home” in the “Request blurring” field.
What is Google Street View and how does it work?
Street View is a facility which they offer free in certain countries for the sole purpose of helping to persuade users to choose Google for their business search and directi Google Street View (not quite the same thing as Google Maps) blurs road signs to prevent its competitors using it.
Why does Google blur or remove photos?
Google usually blurs or removes those at their own initiative to meet their Inappropriate Content policy, but mistakes and oversights do happen. Imagine sunbathing in a funny position in front of your house and getting captured by Google Street View cameras. You would probably want to delete that.
Do you see road signs in Google Maps?
For clarity your question should ask about Google Street View not Google Maps per se. I never saw any road signs in Google Maps and I never came across any blurring in the maps; only in Sreet View. Faces, some signs, and license plates are blurred for privacy and legal purposes in Google Street View.