Google determines the names for bodies of water in Google Earth (2008)

Google explains how it names disputed bodies of water in Google Earth, arguing that a mapping service should avoid taking sides in geopolitical conflicts while still showing users the names they encounter locally. Its “Primary Local Usage” policy displays the dominant, commonly used name or names in countries that border the water. Where neighboring countries use different names, the English-language version shows both, positioned nearer the countries using each name, with a clickable note explaining the competing usages. For instance, the Yellow Sea is also identified as the West Sea in Korea. Non-English versions show the preferred name in that language, while annotations retain the alternative. “Primary” excludes marginal variants, “common” rejects government renamings that have not gained broad use, and “local” limits the relevant names to those used by bordering countries.

Google says this approach balances neutrality, legitimacy, and usefulness, while acknowledging that it will not satisfy everyone. It rejects relying solely on the UN because its guidance does not settle disputes and lacks sufficient coverage; the International Hydrographic Organization focuses on nautical standards and undersea features rather than current political disagreements. National geographic societies represent only some countries and may disagree, while surveying academics would require subjective choices about whose expertise counts. Google therefore favors a consistent rule applied to all bordering countries, while inviting communities to publish their own perspectives through Google Earth’s user-created data layers.