GeoGuessr has taken the online world by storm with its straightforward concept: you’re placed somewhere in the world and have to deduce your location. The closer your guess is to the actual spot, the more points you earn. Originally launched in 2013, the game made a significant advancement in 2025 by becoming available on Steam.
Whether you’re a first-time player or looking to refine your skills before diving into the Steam version, here are some essential tips to help you pinpoint your location accurately. Enjoy guessing!
While the web version has been around for some time, GeoGuessr for Steam is currently in Early Access and may continue to evolve. This guide is based on both Steam and web versions, and will be updated as changes occur.
Prepare to Act Quickly
Speed is crucial in Duels. Duels are player-versus-player matches where you try to get as close as possible to the target location over several rounds or until one player runs out of health. While technically there’s no strict timer, once a pin is placed, a countdown of fifteen seconds begins for both players.
This timer can open up various strategies. If you have a rough idea of the area, it’s smart to place a pin without finalizing your guess. This way, when the timer activates, you can make your guess swiftly.
Another strategy is to lock in a guess as soon as you have a faint idea. This could pressure your opponent into making a hasty guess that might be incorrect. As long as your guess is closer than theirs, you can still maintain your points.
This tactic works here because you can only lose points, never gain them, and the only way to lose points is to be more incorrect than your opponent. So, getting into their head can be beneficial.
Pay Attention to Website Extensions
Sometimes, even the briefest clues can greatly aid you in identifying a location in GeoGuessr. One such clue is website extensions. Many regions are filled with advertisements featuring business names and contact information.
Whether they’re local or national firms, there’s a high chance they’ll display a way to reach them. So, examine any advertisements you find carefully, as that’s often where crucial location information resides.
Websites often include domain extensions that can provide insight into where you are. For instance, if you see a website ending in .SG, it indicates that the domain is registered in Singapore.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t foolproof; many websites use .com, regardless of whether they’re based in the U.S. Not all extensions will clearly indicate the location. Nonetheless, they can still significantly impact your guess.
Familiarize Yourself with Phone Codes
Phone numbers differ by country, featuring unique area codes and formats. Even playing in one specific country, you can gain insight from local area codes.
In the UK, for instance, various counties have different initial digits, so the first few numbers can hint at your location.
This information is not particularly useful if you’re unfamiliar with it. Looking up codes mid-game is frowned upon and challenging under timed conditions. So, get to know some basic codes ahead of time.
Mastering every phone code for every country would require significant time and effort, but understanding the general regions associated with specific codes can be very helpful.
Looking things up is deemed cheating, and if caught, you could face penalties. Rely on your memory instead.
Use the Compass When Near the Coast
If you find yourself near the ocean and have a decent idea of which country you may be in, it’s crucial to determine which side of the country you’re on.
Check your minimap and use the GeoGuessr compass to identify the coastline’s direction. This can be pivotal, especially if you are on an island.
You can customize your compass in the game settings.
Observe Natural Geography and Local Architecture
Think back to your geography lessons: what types of climates and biomes do various regions possess? Is the area desolate and dry, or is it lush and subtropical? These observations can offer significant clues about your location.
When placed on random rural roads, geographical features might be your best clues.
In addition, consider the terrain around you. Some regions are more mountainous than others, so if the Google car seems to be navigating rough terrain, take note.
In urban settings, you don’t need to spot famous landmarks to gather clues. Different countries exhibit distinct architectural styles, so take a close look at the buildings and streets surrounding you.
Roads can be a significant clue—pay attention to which side of the road traffic flows and watch for notable road signs.
Finding major roads like highways on a map is usually simpler than tracking down smaller, less marked streets.
Look for Signs That Provide Clues
While it might seem obvious to check for signs, they can reveal more than just your exact location. You need to know what clues to look for. Many signs may direct you to specific, less helpful locations.
However, the language or design of the signs can be very telling. The language used may be a significant indicator. If a language is limited to fewer countries, it could provide valuable hints.
For instance, if you spot a sign with Welsh, you know you’re in Wales. Each country develops a unique style for road signs, and this becomes easier to recognize the more you play or travel.
You don’t need to be completely certain about a language to make a logical guess.
Avoid Being Misled by Flags
Spotting a country flag can feel like a surefire way to win, but be cautious; flags can sometimes be misleading. Verify whether a building is an embassy or possibly a restaurant before you assume you’re right.
Most physical flags flown outside are less common; however, you might see flags represented in images on various structures.
Blurred Information Can Still Be Useful
Although identifying information like license plates may be blurred to protect privacy, these details can still assist you. This is especially true when it comes to European vehicles.
Often, the blurring may not be done well, or it might be clearer from a different angle. Just keep an eye out.
European license plates generally feature a blue strip on the left side, indicating the country where they were registered. While you might not clearly see the plate number, noticing the blue strip can help you determine your location.
If numerous vehicles around you show this detail, you are likely in an EU country. Conversely, if the plates lack features like the blue strip, you might be located outside the EU.
Research Countries Without Street View
GeoGuessr uses data from Google Maps’ Street View, which limits the places you’re dropped to only those with available Street View imagery. Some countries, however, have limited or no coverage. For example, Austria and Germany have restrictions due to privacy laws.
Countries with little or no Street View include:
- China
- Morocco
- Papua New Guinea
- North Korea
- Belarus
- Venezuela
Some places within these countries may still offer occasional views, so remain hopeful. Plus, if you place a pin near the borders of these nations, you can earn proximity points.
The best way to familiarize yourself with countries that have extensive Street View coverage is to explore Google Maps and try navigating Street View mode.
