You can create customized maps and stories about places around the world with text, photos, and videos. You can also share your maps and stories with others to collaborate.
Anyone with a Google Account can create projects. If you don't have an account, you can sign up for one.
Earth projects versus local KML files
You can choose to work with your data in Google Earth in either a cloud-based project that is stored in Google Drive, or a local KML file that is stored in your computer's browser storage.
| Capabilities | Cloud-based project | Local KML file |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration and sharing | You can share the same project with multiple editors or viewers and access it across multiple devices, just like with Google Drive. | You have to export and send the KML file to your collaborators, which will create multiple versions of the file. |
| Supported KML features |
Earth projects support KML features like:
|
Local KML files support KML features like:
|
| Bring data into Google Earth | You can import KML files from your device or Google Drive into a cloud-based project, which are saved in your Google Drive. For more information, see Import KML. | You can open a local KML file that is saved on your device in Google Earth. For more information, see Import KML. |
| Access and manage projects and files | You can find both cloud-based projects and local KML files in the Google Earth home screen. To learn more about how to create, copy, and manage your projects and files, see Manage your projects on the Google Earth home screen. | |