Google Maps updates its data at varying frequencies depending on the type of data:
- Satellite images are typically updated every 1 to 3 years in urban areas, and every 3 to 5 years or more in rural areas.
- Street View imagery is updated roughly every 1 to 3 years for urban areas, and possibly 3 or more years in rural or less populated areas.
- Real-time data like traffic updates refresh every 5 to 10 minutes in busy areas and every 30 to 60 minutes in quieter regions.
- Business listings, points of interest, road names, and routes can be updated daily to monthly or even in real time through user reports and business owner inputs.
- Google prioritizes updates in places with rapid development or high population density, so major cities tend to get updated far more frequently than remote areas.
- There is no fixed official schedule for overall updates; it varies by region, data availability, and events like natural disasters or new construction.
In summary, Google Maps updates consistently but not uniformly—urban areas may see updates in images and data every 1-3 years, while less active areas might wait several years. Real-time elements like traffic and business info are updated much more frequently, sometimes daily or in real time.