GPStag

GPStag is a term used to describe the practice of tagging items with geographic coordinates derived from GPS data. It is not a formal standard, but a colloquial label used in various industries to describe geotagging of media and assets.

In digital media, GPStag data is stored as metadata, typically in EXIF GPS tags for photographs or in XMP/IPTC sidecar files. Contents often include latitude, longitude, altitude, timestamp, and accuracy, along with the geodetic reference system (such as WGS 84). This metadata enables location-based organization, search, and mapping.

Technologies involved include GPS receivers embedded in cameras or mobile devices, as well as external trackers. Geotags can be added at capture or retroactively by software. Accuracy varies with device, satellite geometry, and environment; some systems support augmentation (GLONASS, Galileo) for improved precision.

Applications span photography, field research, asset management, logistics, and cultural heritage work, where knowing the geographic context enhances analysis, planning, and presentation.

Privacy and ethics are considerations: location data can reveal sensitive information about where people or artifacts were located. Users should manage privacy settings when sharing content and consider removing coordinates for public releases.

See also: geotagging, metadata, EXIF, GPS, GNSS.