Geobrowsing Behaviour in Google Earth – A semantic Video Content Analysis of On-screen Navigation

In this paper, a semantic approach to the analysis of the recorded on-screen navigation within virtual globes is presented. The research question addressed is which specific geovisual browsing patterns can be identified during the use of Google Earth. In order to explore and visualize geobrowsing behaviour systematically, we have developed a novel system for the analysis of Google Earth tours, called Videana. The software’s functionality comprises the detection of ‘text bubbles’, the visualization of dominant/average colour values, and the allocation of ‘virtual camera’ movements. Based on a multiple case study this paper demonstrates that on-screen navigation behaviour is largely defined by the morphology of the landscape and, to a lesser extent, by the navigational aids and the additional multimedia information provided. Top view and orientation towards True North are most often retained. Users generally prefer satellite views rich in contrast where they can identify map contours. Thus, an established form of map use exists that has also been applied to