Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

We’ve all become accustomed to scrolling down virtual streets, navigating north, south, east, and west with ease in today’s mapping apps. But TikTok users are proving that Google Maps isn’t just for directions—it’s a portal to the past. Through old Street View images, people are uncovering snapshots of their lives: candid, surprising, and often deeply emotional moments that were unknowingly captured by Google’s street cars.

The trend, known as "Somewhere on Google Maps," has TikTokers discovering pieces of their pasts in images that are as heartbreaking as they are heartwarming—and occasionally downright hilarious. From bittersweet memories of loved ones to unexpected glimpses of long-lost homes, these virtual journeys are sparking laughter, tears, and plenty of nostalgia.

Paired with the wistful tune of Eric Church’s Springsteen, the trend strikes a chord with users. The song’s lyrics, “To this day, when I hear that song / I see you standin' there on that lawn,” seem tailor-made for these moments, turning each discovery into a personal time capsule that resonates with millions.


Candid glimpses of everyday magic

Each video shared under the trend reveals a little slice of life that feels both ordinary and extraordinary. TikTok user @jayeyou shared a bittersweet moment from 2012, showing her younger self crouched beside her car with a spray bottle in hand. The text overlay explains, “It’s 2012, and I’m a junior in high school crying because my car got egged.” The image, once just an embarrassing memory, now feels nostalgic—a snapshot of teenage resilience caught on camera.

Other posts carry even more emotional weight. User @dawnqueener shared an image of her young son, who was so excited to see the Google Maps car that he stopped to pose for a photo. “Google Maps documented this moment a decade ago,” her caption reads, bringing a cherished family memory back to life.

@tyra__lynn Screaming, crying, throwing up. This trend is killing me😭 #googlemaps #2008 #springsteen #grandparents #googleearth #nostalgia #gooddays ♬ original sound - noaidenno

And for many, the trend has sparked bittersweet reflections. TikToker @sydshads summed it up perfectly:

"I have cried every day since this trend started bc of these. Please keep posting, y'all are tugging at my heartstrings every single time."

— @sydshads

Finding forgotten faces and places

Beyond humor and nostalgia, many TikTokers have used the trend to reconnect with lost loved ones or explore pieces of their lives that have since disappeared. Childhood homes now renovated beyond recognition, streets once full of neighbors who’ve moved away, and late pets frozen in a moment of joyful play—it’s all there, waiting to be rediscovered.

One user shared an image of their now-deceased dog captured playing in the front yard, while another found a candid shot of their grandparents on the porch of a home they no longer own. These simple, unscripted scenes carry an emotional depth that resonates with millions of viewers.

@dawnqueener Google Maps documented this moment a decade ago 🥹 #googlemaps #googleearth #googleearthfind ♬ original sound - noaidenno

How to unlock your own memories on Google Maps

Curious about what pieces of your own past might be waiting to be found? Here’s a quick guide to start your own journey:

  1. Go to Google Maps. Open the app or website on your phone or computer.
  2. Enter Street View mode. Drag the Pegman icon (the little yellow figure) onto a street.
  3. Search for meaningful locations. Type in the address of a childhood home, a favorite park, or any spot with memories.
  4. Check the timeline feature. If Google has visited the area multiple times, use the timeline slider to scroll through older images and find the version closest to the time you’re looking for.

With a little patience, you might find an image that takes you back to a moment you thought was long gone.

Why this trend matters

"Somewhere on Google Maps" resonates because it taps into a universal longing to hold on to the fleeting moments that make up a life. It’s a reminder that even the mundane—the way the light hit your porch one afternoon, the neighbor walking their dog down the street—can carry immense meaning when revisited years later.

The trend is a powerful blend of nostalgia and discovery, proving that even as technology moves us forward, it can also take us back to where we’ve been. For those inspired to join in, the Google Maps time machine is waiting. And who knows? You might find something that tugs at your own heartstrings in the best way possible.

More For You

Widow keeps entire inheritance while stepdaughter faces eviction. She just got a reality check.
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Mikhail Nilov; Reddit | u/Spiritual_Alps3413

Widow keeps entire inheritance while stepdaughter faces eviction. She just got a reality check.

Inheritance disputes often lead to heated debates, especially when a family is divided. One woman recently sparked outrage after revealing that she inherited her late husband’s entire estate—nearly a million dollars—without leaving anything for his 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Posting on Reddit as u/Spiritual_Alps3413, the widow asked if she was wrong for keeping everything while her stepdaughter and her mother struggled to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | TranStudios Photography & Video; Reddit | u/whoevenisthat5

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love and family, but for one man, it became the breaking point in his relationship. Reddit user u/whoevenisthat5 shared how he was forced to call off his engagement after his fiancée refused to include his 11-year-old daughter in their wedding.

At first, he thought it was just a disagreement over wedding roles—but when he found out her real reason for wanting to leave his daughter out, he realized there was no future for them.

Keep ReadingShow less
9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein
Cover Image Source: Instagram/Adhara Maite Pérez Sánchez

9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein

At just 9 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has achieved what most people can’t even imagine. The Mexico City native has an IQ of 162—higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who were both estimated to have IQs of 160, according to PEOPLE.

Despite facing relentless bullying due to her autism diagnosis, Pérez has not only graduated high school but is also pursuing two college degrees in systems engineering and mathematics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself
Representative image by Canva

Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself

School excursions often provide unforgettable experiences and bonding opportunities for students, but for teachers, they can be loaded with logistical headaches. So when a teacher was asked to single-handedly finance a field trip—with zero compensation—Reddit user u/Unfunded_Teacher took to the platform to vent about this bizarre demand.

Representative photo by Pexels | Anny Patterson

Keep ReadingShow less
The shopping cart test: the viral theory that claims to reveal who’s a “good” person
Representative photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris | Unsplash

The shopping cart test: the viral theory that claims to reveal who’s a “good” person

A simple decision at the grocery store—returning a shopping cart or leaving it in the parking lot—might say more about your personality than you realize. According to a viral theory, this everyday action is actually a litmus test for self-governance and social responsibility.

The idea, originally posted on 4chan, suggests that putting a cart back in its designated place is a sign of good character. Unlike other social norms, there are no immediate consequences for abandoning a cart, making it a pure test of whether someone will do the right thing without being forced.

Keep ReadingShow less