Geotagging Digital Images

What is Photo Geotagging?

Geotagging is the process of identifying the location that an image was photographed from, and typically that also includes date and time information. The location is typically based on the format that current Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units utilize, the WGS84 coordinate system, and the units are degrees and refered to as latitude (north-south) and longitude (east-west).

Many smartphones and some newer digital camera are capable of automatically geotagging the photos as they shoot them.

If you shot photos with a regular digital camera or have scanned some negatives, prints or slides, you can still geotag them; photo geotagging is not just the realm of newer cameras.

Risks of Geotagged Photos in Online Estate Auctions

When posting estate or downsizing auctions on platforms like A.....ja.com, using geotagged images can inadvertently compromise the privacy and security of your clients. Geotags, often embedded by smartphones or digital cameras, contain precise location data — sometimes down to exact GPS coordinates. If left unstripped, these metadata tags can be extracted by criminals, revealing the physical location of valuable items that are often still inside the client's residence.

This issue becomes especially sensitive when auctioned items belong to clients who have recently passed away or moved out of the immediate area. In such cases, the original residence is often left vacant or only lightly monitored. Uploading geotagged photos of antiques, collectibles, electronics, or even safes essentially broadcasts a digital roadmap for theft — making it easier for opportunists to target the property at the worst possible time.

Online auction photos are typically intended to showcase the condition and appeal of the items. However, these same photos, when improperly processed, can disclose far more than intended. Reverse image tools and browser-based EXIF viewers can extract geolocation data with ease. Even a novice with the right browser extension could determine where high-value items are stored — before the auction pickup location is even disclosed at the end of the online auction.

For auction companies, failing to address this risk could lead to serious consequences — not just for the homeowner, but also for their own reputation. A burglary traced back to geotagged listings might open the door to lawsuits, insurance disputes, and a damaged client base. Taking simple steps like stripping EXIF data before uploading, or using screenshots of the images instead of originals, can make a major difference in client protection.

As a best practice, auction professionals and estate liquidators should always review photos for embedded metadata and use tools to remove or anonymize it. Geotagging may seem like a small detail, but in the world of digital security, it's a big liability. Protecting your clients' locations is just as important as protecting the value of their belongings. Even easier, just turn off your camera's (or phone's) GPS/Location Services prior to taking those photos.

I have made this last suggestion to my favorite auctioneers when I have noticed them. The way that I have noticed them is that when I win an auction lot, I will download the photos of the auction lot, so I have a visual inventory to compare against when I do my auction pickup. When referring to those photos in Google Photos, I had checked the Information to see when I had downloaded the photos and noticed Location information, in latitude/longitude format, along with a map and a link for traveling to that location using a list of navigation choices!

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Geotagging in the U.S.: 2025 Trends and Awareness

In 2025, geotagging has moved from niche tech to everyday utility across the United States. Social media apps, real estate platforms, and even local news services are leveraging geotags to deliver more relevant content based on a user’s location history. Fitness tracking apps like Strava and MapMyRun integrate geotagged photos into route maps, creating rich, interactive experiences. For hobbyists and professionals alike, the ability to organize and search images by location has become a must-have feature.

Across the country, U.S.-based environmental and educational initiatives are putting geotagging to work. National parks and conservation groups now use GPS-tagged photo submissions to document rare species sightings and track changes in natural landscapes. Citizen science projects, such as iNaturalist and eBird, rely heavily on geotagged contributions from volunteers. These efforts help scientists gather valuable data at scale while also engaging the public in environmental stewardship.

On the flip side, geotagging has sparked growing concerns around digital privacy and safety. News stories have highlighted cases where public photo sharing unintentionally exposed sensitive locations, from private residences to secure facilities. In response, smartphone platforms like iOS and Android have made it easier for users to disable or strip geotags before sharing photos online. Raising awareness of how to manage geolocation data—while still enjoying its benefits—is becoming increasingly important in the U.S. digital landscape.

Geotagging Software

Here is a list of some of the useful software that I have found. As I find the time, I will be documenting how useful I found them and how I used them.

  • GeoSetter, version 3.4.16, by Friedemann Schmidt - Windows platform
  • Microsoft Pro Photo Tools, version 2.2.0912.03 - Windows platform
  • PixGPS, version 1.1.5, by B-R Software - Windows platform - this is an inexpensive application, but very useful
  • BR's EXIFextracter, version 0.9.9 beta, by B-R Software - Windows platform
  • Free Photo View, version 1.2, by 10-Strike Software

Instructable - GeoTagging With a Standalone GPS Unit & GeoSetter

GeoTagging With a Standalone GPS Unit & GeoSetter, MacGyver9 in Circuits, on Autodesk Instructables.

This instructable is so thorough that I am going to share the link and not write my own.

Geosetter is freeware and can be downloaded from Friedemann Schmidt's website at https://geosetter.de/en/main-en/. It is currently in version 3.5.3.