Google Earth Street Search

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Google Earth, formerly Earth Viewer, was acquired by Google from Keyhole in 2004. The program effectively creates a virtual globe by combining images obtained from several sources. Satellite images, aerial photographs and geographical data are combined to create a 3D earth model. This program has become one of the most popular programs for web users who are interested in viewing their world from a new and manageable perspective that can even be accessed on the desktop. The future of Google Earth seems obvious. As technology and bandwidth increase, it is likely that users will see an interface between Google Earth street search and the local Google search option, creating a unique opportunity for business owners to expand their local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) processes.

Previously, website owners were encouraged to manually submit their site to local directories and mapping applications for inclusion in search results. This typically led to increased visibility and is still a viable part of the SEO process. Now, optimizing a website for this advanced mapping technology is likely to produce even greater results.

The ...
... major issue with optimizing a site for Google Earth purposes is KML (Keyhole Markup Language). This language is an XML-schema that supports the display of geospatial data in a three dimensional format, and is used by several applications including Google Maps and Google Earth. KML includes multiple parameters allowing users to display a location in a three dimensional virtual environment.

Including a unique KML file location for physical ‘brick and mortar’ businesses is an integral step for those attempting to optimize their site for Google Earth street search inclusion. This process involves determining the latitude and longitude of each location as well as several other specific required sets of data. After saving the KML to the website root directory, Google will index your location information when it crawls your site map.

Additionally, linking the physical site addresses directly to Google Earth should be considered as an important part of the optimization process for Google Earth submissions. This will provide not only useful and relevant information for the viewer, but will increase the number of organic links included in the site.

Staying abreast to current and future technology and SEO strategies is of paramount importance for those who hope to remain on the cutting edge of Internet marketing. A tool such as Google Earth which is relevant, informative and ‘fun’ for the user is ideal for the purpose of SEO on three separate fronts.

1. Content and information provided on a website should be relevant to the viewer.
2. Links, images, content and auditory or visual elements should be designed to immediately capture the attention of the viewer
3. Design elements, content and functionality of a website must serve two purposes: to attract or inform both the viewer and search engines.

Optimizing a site for Google Earth street search inclusion through the use of KML meets all three of these SEO goals.