GeoGuessr - guessing places from Google maps by photo

In 2013, Swedish programmer Anton Wallen, while traveling in the United States, came up with the idea to create a game where people would guess places from photos on Google maps. The project, called GeoGuessr, was launched in the same year, and today it already has over 30 million registered players.

GeoGuessr had a big surge in popularity during the pandemic when everyone was locked up at home, but the game is still interesting now. She owes much of her fame to bloggers who stream, guessing places on the map in a matter of seconds. And this is not about sights, but about indicating the exact location of unremarkable streets, sleeping areas, or even sections of the highway.

One such player is US resident Trevor Rainbolt, who has never left North America but is able to pinpoint places around the world with Google Street View to within hundreds of meters. Recently an article about him wroteSiberia or Japan? Expert Google Maps Players Can Tell at a Glimpse / The New York Times

in The New York Times, where Trevor was called a real magician. But for him, it's just the result of endless hours of practice.

How to play GeoGuessr

To evaluate your geographic deduction skills, go to site GeoGuessr, click Play free now, create an account using email or log in via social networks.

Further, the service will offer you various tasks, grouped by countries, capitals, landmarks, and so on - several in each category. You need to guess the place from the photo and put a dot on the map in the lower right corner.

The faster and more accurately you orient yourself, the more points you get. It is important to score more than 15,000 in total in order for the task to be completed.

How to guess places in GeoGuessr

GeoGuessr is described as a geographic educational tool, where it is important to carefully study the features of the area, from street signs to soil and vegetation types. All this will help to accurately determine the points on the map.

In each task, you will be shown a panorama that you can rotate and zoom in on, peering into signs on signs, buildings, cars or terrain. If you find it difficult to answer, then the service will give several consecutive hints in the form of associative images in the upper left corner. It can be either a flag or a famous person or landmark from that city or country.

What modes are there in GeoGuessr

The classic game mode Geoguessr consists of five rounds, each showing a different location. Various multiplayer modes and duels are also available, in which players determine countries, US states or cities around the world until someone makes a mistake.

All this is complemented by a player leveling system, achievements, standings and detailed statistics. There is even customization of your own avatar and the ability to invite friends.

You can play any mode for free, but only for 5 minutes every quarter of an hour. To unlock unlimited access to GeoGuessr, you will have to pay $2 per month. Although if you consider the game as an easy way to get distracted by quickly moving to the other side of the world, then a subscription is not required. Try it.

Play GeoGuessr →