Google Earth hits 1 billion downloads mark

Google Earth has had its billionth download. The popular mapping and world reference app was co-built with the company Keyhole, which Google bought in 2004. It’ taken six years to reach the milestone.

“Today, we’ve reached our own one billion mark: Google Earth has been downloaded more than one billion times since it was first introducedin 2005,” blogged Brian McClendon, VP of Engineering at Google Earth and Maps.

“That’s more than one billion downloads of the Google Earth desktop client, mobile apps and the Google Earth plug-in – all enabling you to explore the world in seconds, from Earth to Mars to the ocean floor.

“We’re proud of our one billion milestone, but we’re even more amazed at the way people have used Google Earth to explore the world,” added McClendon.

Google are celebrating the landmark with the www.OneWorldManyStories.com page, where everyone from teachers to archaeologists are sharing their experiences working with the service.