Stay organized with collectionsSave and categorize content based on your preferences.
Every data layer in Google Earth's catalog comes with important information to
help you understand its content, origin, and how it can be used.
Select platform:
Access layer details
You can view a layer's metadata from the data catalog view.
Understand layer metadata
The layer detail view provides key information about the dataset. Look for the
following sections:
Title: The name of the data layer.
Description: Detailed information about the data layer and its purpose.
This may include links to additional resources.
Last updated: The date when the data was last updated.
Thumbnail image: A static image representing the data layer.
Data usage restrictions
All data layers available in the Google Earth data catalog are subject to
specific usage policies and restrictions.
Export restrictions: Youcannotexport, download, or copy data
directly from data layers in Google Earth. This policy protects proprietary
data and intellectual property. Projects can be shared with others using thegroupSharebutton in at the top of
the screen.
Privacy-sensitive data: Some data layers may have restrictions to
protect privacy. For example, data might not be shown if there are too few
data points within a boundary.
Geopolitical considerations: Data availability and boundaries shown
within Earth are subject to Google's geopolitical policies.
Understand how data layers change over time
Data layers in Google Earth are dynamic and can be updated, temporarily removed,
or eventually deprecated. Understanding these changes helps you maintain
accurate projects and anticipate data availability.
Automatically updated layers
When a data layer is updated (for example, new data is added or refreshed), your
projects that include that layer will automatically update to the latest
version.
Notifications for updates:For layers with regular update cadences (such
as monthly or annually), a badge may appear on the layer's title in the
left-hand panel to indicate an update. This visual cue will disappear after
a few views or after selecting the layer.
View changelog:For some data layers, you may be able to view a
changelog that details specific changes made with each update. Access this
from the layer's detail view in the data catalog.
Important notes
Not all data layers are available for all geographic regions.
Data layers may have different levels of granularity, aggregation, or
anonymization.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-09-04 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Learn about data layers in Google Earth\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n| This product or feature is Experimental (pre-GA). Pre-GA products and features might have limited support, and changes to pre-GA products and features might not be compatible with other pre-GA versions. Pre-GA Offerings are covered by the [Google\n| Maps Platform Service Specific Terms](https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms/maps-service-terms). For more information, see the [launch stage descriptions](/maps/launch-stages).\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nEvery data layer in Google Earth's catalog comes with important information to\nhelp you understand its content, origin, and how it can be used.\n| **Note:** During the Experimental phase, the Google Earth data catalog features data covering the United States only.\n\n|----------------------|----------|---------|-----|---|\n| **Select platform:** | Computer | Android | iOS | |\n\nAccess layer details\n--------------------\n\nYou can view a layer's metadata from the data catalog view.\n\nUnderstand layer metadata\n-------------------------\n\nThe layer detail view provides key information about the dataset. Look for the\nfollowing sections:\n\n- **Title**: The name of the data layer.\n- **Description**: Detailed information about the data layer and its purpose. This may include links to additional resources.\n- **Last updated**: The date when the data was last updated.\n- **Thumbnail image**: A static image representing the data layer.\n\nData usage restrictions\n-----------------------\n\nAll data layers available in the Google Earth data catalog are subject to\nspecific usage policies and restrictions.\n\n- **Export restrictions** : You **cannot** export, download, or copy data\n directly from data layers in Google Earth. This policy protects proprietary\n data and intellectual property. Projects can be shared with others using the\n **group Share** button in at the top of\n the screen.\n\n | **Note:** You can export your project to KML, but proprietary data layers are not included within the downloaded file.\n- **Privacy-sensitive data**: Some data layers may have restrictions to\n protect privacy. For example, data might not be shown if there are too few\n data points within a boundary.\n\n- **Geopolitical considerations**: Data availability and boundaries shown\n within Earth are subject to Google's geopolitical policies.\n\n| **Note:** During the Experimental phase, the data catalog contains data covering the **United States only**.\n\nUnderstand how data layers change over time\n-------------------------------------------\n\nData layers in Google Earth are dynamic and can be updated, temporarily removed,\nor eventually deprecated. Understanding these changes helps you maintain\naccurate projects and anticipate data availability.\n\n### Automatically updated layers\n\nWhen a data layer is updated (for example, new data is added or refreshed), your\nprojects that include that layer will automatically update to the latest\nversion.\n\n- **Notifications for updates:** For layers with regular update cadences (such as monthly or annually), a badge may appear on the layer's title in the left-hand panel to indicate an update. This visual cue will disappear after a few views or after selecting the layer.\n- **View changelog:** For some data layers, you may be able to view a changelog that details specific changes made with each update. Access this from the layer's detail view in the data catalog.\n\nImportant notes\n---------------\n\n- Not all data layers are available for all geographic regions.\n- Data layers may have different levels of granularity, aggregation, or anonymization."]]
