This hidden Google Maps feature is making people emotional – here’s why
When did Google Maps Street View add See More Dates?Google introduced the “See More Dates” feature for Street View on desktop in 2014, allowing users to access historical imagery of various locations. In May 2022, to commemorate Street View’s 15th anniversary, Google expanded this feature to its mobile apps, enabling users to view past imagery on both Android and iOS devices. How far back does Google Maps Street View go in time?Google Street View imagery dates back to May 2007, when the service was first introduced in select US cities. Also: Ready to ditch Google Maps? My new favorite map app won’t track you or drain your battery – and it’s freeCan’t see your home in Google Maps Street View’s history?The availability of historical imagery varies by location, depending on when Google captured images in that area. In some places, you can view imagery spanning over a decade, while in others, the available history may be shorter.Historical Street View imagery of your house may be unavailable due to limited data collection in your area, privacy requests leading to image removal or blurring, technical issues causing missing images, or location on private roads restricting access. Why is this Google Maps Street View feature trending?While Google’s “See More Dates” feature has been around for years, TikTok appears to have given it new life. You can see an example here. This trend of “going back in time” on Google Maps is as heartwarming as it is nostalgic. Thanks to Google’s Street View timeline, you can see how your home and neighborhood have changed over the years. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a familiar face waving back at you — frozen in time but forever remembered.Editor’s note: This article was originally published in December 2024. It was thoroughly updated, fact-checked, and republished on July 17, 2025.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More
