---
title: "Pictures Don’t Lie"
description: "Google Maps takes \"vanity searches\" to a whole new level."
date: "2005-04-13"
authors:
  - name: "Susannah Fox"
    job_title: "Former Researcher"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/susannah-fox/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2005/04/13/pictures-dont-lie/"
categories:
  - "Online Search"
tags:
  - "Search"
---

# Pictures Don’t Lie

In 2002, we asked internet users about “vanity searches” and [](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/Reports/2002/Search-Engines.aspx)[found](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/PPF/r/64/report_display.asp) that one in four admitted to typing their own name into a search engine. Most people said the information was accurate – just 17% said it was inaccurate.

I wonder how many people are typing their own addresses into [Google Maps](http://maps.google.com/), just to see what they can see. Or, even better, typing in other people’s addresses. As they say, pictures don’t lie – there’s little chance for inaccuracy here.

Sites are springing up to do some of the work for you – linking directly to [Graceland](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.046623,-90.025470&spn=0.005000,0.008347&t=k&hl=en) or [Area 51](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=groom+lake,nv&ll=37.272835,-115.798731&sll=36.518555,-115.561924&spn=0.060081,0.085402&sspn=0.127029,0.120678&t=k&hl=en).

Check out [Google Sightseeing](http://www.shreddies.org/gmaps/) and [Google Globetrotting](http://gmaps.nicj.net/).