How to Blur Your House, Face, Car or Shop on Google Street View (and When Not To)

Quick answer: Open Street View at your location in Google Maps, tap the three dots or Report a problem, choose what to blur (your face, home, car or licence plate, or another object), mark the area and submit. Google reviews the request, and once blurred, it's permanent for that imagery. Google automatically blurs most faces and number plates. If you run a business, don't blur your shopfront: customers and Google's verification use it to recognise you. Instead, update your signage and add your own photos or 360° views.

Street View helps people find places, but owners and residents sometimes want privacy.

What Google blurs automatically

Google uses technology to blur faces and vehicle number plates in Street View imagery. It isn't perfect, so some faces or plates may remain visible.

How to request a blur

On a computer

1. Open Google Maps and drop into Street View at the location.
2. Click Report a problem (bottom right).
3. Position the red box over what you want blurred.
4. Choose a reason: face, home, car or licence plate, or a different object.
5. Add details and your email, then submit.

On a phone

Open Street View, tap the three dots or menu, choose Report a problem, select the area and reason, then submit.

Requests can take days to process.

Blurring is permanent

Once Google blurs something in Street View imagery, it isn't reversed for that imagery. Think carefully, especially if it's a business.

Should a business blur its shopfront?

Usually no. A blurred shopfront:

• Makes it harder for customers to recognise your shop.
• Removes Street View as evidence during verification (video verification, re-verification).
• May look suspicious.

If Street View shows an old signboard or the previous business, get updated imagery instead (signboard and Street View, old photos after renovation).

Getting newer imagery

Google updates Street View on its own schedule. You can:

• Publish your own 360° photos (Street View and 360 photos, virtual tour cost).
• Upload fresh exterior photos to your profile (photos guide).
• Make your signage clear for the next capture.

When blurring makes sense

• Private homes whose owners want privacy.
• Faces that weren't automatically blurred.
• Children or vulnerable people visible in imagery.
• Car number plates not caught automatically.
• Home-based businesses that don't want visitors (hide home address, my home showing as a business).

Other privacy steps

• Hide your home address on your business profile.
• Remove personal phone numbers (remove personal phone number).
• Report inappropriate user-uploaded photos of your premises (remove photos).

User-uploaded 360° photos

Photospheres uploaded by users aren't Street View imagery from Google's cars. You can report them if they're inappropriate or show private areas without permission.

Example: a homeowner

A family found their house clearly visible on Street View with their car's plate. They requested a blur of the house and plate. Within a week the house appeared blurred.

Example: a shop that almost blurred

A shop owner wanted to blur his shop because Street View showed the old tenant's signboard. Instead, he installed a clear new signboard, uploaded fresh exterior photos and a 360° photo. Customers recognised the new shop, and verification later used the updated photos.

Checklist

• Use Report a problem in Street View
• Select the exact area and reason
• Remember blurring is permanent
• Businesses: update signage and photos instead
• Hide home address and personal numbers if needed

Key takeaways

• You can request blurs for homes, faces and plates.
• Blurs are permanent — businesses usually shouldn't blur shopfronts.
• Fresh photos and 360° views fix outdated imagery.

Sources and further reading

• Google Maps Help — Street View privacy and blurring: support.google.com/maps
• Signboard and Street View

Street View in Indian neighbourhoods

Street View coverage in India varies: big city roads are well covered, while narrow lanes, villages and new layouts may have old or no imagery. Many customers still use Street View to check what a shop looks like before visiting, especially for clinics, hotels and showrooms. If your street has imagery, make the most of it with a clear signboard. If not, your own exterior photos and 360° views do the same job (hidden shops).

Blurring vs removing

Google generally blurs rather than removes Street View imagery. You can't delete the imagery of your street, but you can have specific elements blurred. For imagery that is offensive or dangerous, the "Report a problem" form includes other options.

Privacy for staff and customers

If you upload your own 360° photos or exterior photos, check that staff and customers aren't identifiable without consent, and that no private documents, screens or number plates are visible (photo consent).

Common mistakes

• Blurring a shopfront and later struggling with verification.
• Requesting blurs for the wrong building because the box was misplaced.
• Expecting the blur to update the map listing; it only affects imagery.
• Uploading 360° photos that show private areas such as staff rooms or homes upstairs.

Apartment and society residents

In large societies, Street View may show the gate, towers and parked cars. Residents worried about privacy can request blurs of their vehicles or specific areas visible from the road. Society committees can also contact Google about imagery of private internal roads where cars shouldn't have driven.

Frequently asked questions

How do I blur my house on Street View?

Report a problem → select the house → choose "My home".

Is the blur permanent?

Yes, for that imagery.

Should I blur my shop?

Usually not — it helps customers and verification.

How long does a blur request take?

Usually days.

Can I update Street View of my shop?

Upload your own photos and 360° views; Google updates its imagery over time.

Are faces blurred automatically?

Mostly, but not always.

Can I remove my street from Street View?

Google usually blurs specific elements rather than removing imagery.

Can I blur a neighbour's house?

Requests should generally come from people with a genuine privacy interest.