Sharing your favorite locations in Google Earth recently got a lot easier than it used to be. In the past to share a Google Earth location you had to download the KMZ or KML files. The newest sharing option in the latest version of Google Earth (version 6.2) allows for quicker and easier location sharing. Now when you’re viewing a location in Google Earth that you want to share, you can share it by simply clicking the “share” button in upper-right corner of your screen. The sharing options include sharing a screenshot via Google+ or email, sharing a view via email, sharing a placemark via email, or sharing to the Google Earth community. Sharing a view or placemark via email creates a KML file for you. (You do have to be signed into your Google Account to do this).

While we’re on the topic of sharing map views, this is a good time to remind you that you can share views from Google Maps by clicking on the “link” icon on the upper-left corner of a Google Maps screen. You can also generate a KML file in Google Maps by selecting the “export as KML” option. Take a look at the screenshots below for directions.

Applications for Education
If you’re using Google Earth for lessons with your students, the new location sharing option could be useful for sharing with students who are not in the classroom with you. And if your students are over 13 and using Google+ sharing views to a Google+ circle could be a good way to host a conversation around a particular view or place in the world.