This quick Google Maps trick helps keep your residence hidden from public view.
With more than a decade of experience, Nelson covers Apple and Google and writes about iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings, and more.
You might not realize it, but your home is probably visible to anyone online with just a quick search. Google Maps and its Street View feature let users virtually explore streets all over the world, including a clear look at your front yard, driveway, and even your car. While it’s helpful for directions and trip planning, it can also raise serious concerns about privacy and safety.
That kind of visibility can be misused by people with bad intentions. It’s the reason many celebrities choose to blur their homes on Google Maps, preventing stalkers or burglars from getting a close look. The good news is that you don’t need to be famous to do the same. With just a few clicks, you can request Google to blur your house and take it off the digital map for good. Here’s how to do it.
If your house is visible on Street View, you might want to consider taking this extra to blur it from public view. Here’s how.
For more, check out essential Google Maps tips for travel.
Watch this: How to Blur Your Home or an Object in Google Maps
How to blur your home on Google Maps
You’ll need to do this on your computer since the blurring feature isn’t available in the Google Maps application on iOS or Android. It is accessible through the web browser on your mobile device, but it’s rather difficult to use, so your best option is a trusted web browser on your Mac or PC.
At maps.google.com, enter your home address in the search bar at the top-right, hit return, then click the photo of your home that appears.
Click on the photo of your home, right above your address, on the top-left part of the page.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNETNext, you’ll see the Street View of your location. Click Report a Problem at the bottom-right. The text is super tiny, but it’s there.
This is the Street View of your location.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNETNow, it’s up to you to choose what you want Google to blur. Using your mouse, adjust the view of the image so that your home and anything else you want to blur is all contained within the red and black box. Use your cursor to move around and the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out, respectively.
If you want to blur more than what’s in the red and black box, use the + button to zoom in.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNETOnce you’re finished adjusting the image, choose what you’re requesting to blur underneath:
- A face
- Your home
- Car/license plate
- A different object
You’ll be asked to give a bit more detail as to what exactly you want blurred, in case the image is busy with several cars, people and other objects.
Also, be completely sure that what you select is exactly what you want blurred. Google cautions that once you blur something on Street View, it’s blurred permanently.
Finally, enter your email (this is required), verify the captcha (if needed), and click Submit.
You are required to provide additional information about what you want to blur so be thorough.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNETYou should then receive an email from Google that says it’ll review your report and get back to you once the request is either denied or approved. You may receive more emails from Google asking for more information regarding your request. Google doesn’t offer any information on how long your request will take to process, so just keep an eye out for any further emails.
For more, take an inside look at how Google built Immersive View for Maps.