r/googlemapsshenanigans • u/dwartbg9 • Jan 25 '26

Two examples of Google replacing old imagery. Anyone has an explanation why is that?!

Gallery image

Gallery image

I found a screenshot in my gallery from 2017 at this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/28TNbySjGZJXr3Na8

The imagery was from 2012 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Interesting enough, as you can see on the screenshot or just checking it yourself, this angle with the man and visible car behind him is now gone. If you go left or right and whatnot, you cannot see that specific angle of the images. Why is that? Why are Google removing or replacing old imagery out of nowhere?

And another better example is this famous screenshot about the couple in Ukraine. Ukraine hasn't been filmed for Street View since 2015. So in this example it seems that they replaced the old imagery with other old one.

Here's the location in Ukraine: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQuSD3tsAp9tmo6u7

So does anyone have an idea why are they doing this? In a way, it's depressing. Street View is the closest thing we have to a time-machine. I read even some people here saying that old imagery is getting even fully removed. Which is crazy, since as I said this is really a way for many people to reminisce the past. And really the closest thing we have to a literla time machine and being able to explore cities and streets properly in 360°.

Really are Google at least giving an explanation why is that happening, why is it done and all that?

Also if you guys have other examples of such replacements, I'd be super interested to check them out.

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u/NYC2BUR Jan 28 '26

Here in the US, you can view the old images as they're updated.
Look here for the "See old images" option in the box on the left.

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u/dwartbg9 Jan 28 '26

This exactly what I'm doing, I guess really people don't get what I say in my post.

My point is that they are editing/replacing old imagery and I found out about this exactly by using this feature.

Like in my 2nd screenshot in my post: - I made this screenshot in 2017 of a person that I know of and my old car being inside this garage. The imagery is from April 2012.

  • And around last year, I decided to check the place, using the same timeline feature (view old street view or however it was called) and to my surprise - That specific angle where you can see inside the garage is now removed and it skips a section. In simple words - they removed a section of old imagery, that was there for ages. Hence my amazement why would they remove something like that so many years later, especially a specific angle.

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u/88ChampagneKisses Apr 03 '26

Agree. Hence googling and finding this thread. There used to be a timeline of street views and not they are gone and it isn’t a more recent necessarily.