geotagged

Geotagged refers to data items, typically media such as photographs or videos, that include geographic location information embedded within their metadata or linked databases. A geotag records coordinates (latitude and longitude) and often altitude, timestamp, and place names, allowing the item to be associated with a specific place on a map. Geotagging commonly relies on device location services, such as GPS, GLONASS, or cellular triangulation, and the resulting coordinates may be stored in metadata formats such as EXIF, IPTC, or XMP, or in separate sidecar files.

Geotags enable mapping, organization, and search; they are widely used in photography, travel blogging, social media, geospatial research, and journalism. They can improve user experience by enabling map-based galleries, location-based filters, or geospatial analysis. However, geotags can introduce privacy and safety concerns, as precise coordinates may reveal home addresses or routine movements, particularly for public posts. Accuracy varies with device and environment; GPS may be degraded indoors or in dense canyons, and some platforms apply rounding or obfuscation.

Viewing and management of geotags involve image viewers, map applications, and metadata editors. Users can remove or anonymize coordinates through photo editors, metadata tools, or platform privacy settings. Some services offer options to share location only at posting time or to blur or strip location data on upload. Awareness of geotagging practices helps balance usefulness for organization and analysis with privacy considerations.