Articles on: Opt Outs & Removals

How to blur your home on maps services

Optery offers an optional privacy setting that allows you to request the blurring of your home on map services such as Google Maps and Apple Maps.

Blurring your home address with Optery is an opt-in only feature that we provide to our Extended and Ultimate plan customers. To use this feature, you must own or otherwise have legal authority over the home to request that Optery support your request to blur a house from map services.


What Does “Blur Your Home on Maps” Do?

When enabled, Optery will submit requests to supported map services to blur your home in publicly visible street-level imagery.

Key things to know:


  • This setting is disabled by default
  • Requests are sent **only after you opt-in to the feature via your **Account page settings
  • The request applies to the Primary Home Address on your profile


Once you enable this opt-in preference setting in Optery, the action is irreversible


Which Services Are Affected?

This setting applies only to Google Maps and Apple Maps at this time. 


These services are handled separately from standard data broker removals and are provided only after you explicitly opt-in to the feature via your Account Settings.


Who Can Enable This Feature?


  • Available on Extended and Ultimate plans
  • Not available on Free Basic or Core plans


How to Enable Map Blurring


Available for Extended & Ultimate Plans

  1. Go to your Account page.
  2. Navigate to Maps Preferences.
  3. Locate the option: “Blur your home on maps sites (Google, Apple)”
  4. Click the checkbox to enable it.
  5. A confirmation modal will appear:“Removing your home from map services cannot be reversed. Please confirm to continue.”
  6. Confirm to proceed.


Once confirmed, Optery will begin processing blur requests for supported maps services.


Important: This Action Is Irreversible

Once you enable this setting:


  • The request cannot be undone
  • Optery cannot reverse or cancel requests once they are submitted


If you later want the image to be reinserted, you must contact the map service provider directly. Whether reinsertion is possible depends entirely on the provider’s policies and discretion.


What You’ll See After Enabling the Setting

After opting in:


  • Map services will appear in your Data Brokers table
  • They will be visible like other supported services
  • Automation will only run because you explicitly enabled it


Note: While the “live” version of the map will be blurred, some third-party archives or historical view features may still show older, unblurred images. Additionally, street-level images from crowdsourced map sites (e.g., Mapillary) will continue to be available.


If you do not opt in:


  • Map services remain hidden
  • No requests are sent to map services (e.g. Google Maps and Apple Maps)


Optery Map Blurring for Google Maps and Apple Maps



FAQ

Why is this feature opt-in only?

Map services require explicit user consent to perform the request because they are irreversible


Can I turn this off after enabling it?

No. Once enabled, the request is irreversible.


What address is used for the blur request?

The request applies to the Primary Home Address listed in your profile.


Will map services appear if I don’t opt in?

No. They remain hidden and are not processed unless you enable the setting.


Can Optery restore my home image later?

No. If you want the image restored, you must contact the map service provider directly. Restoration depends on the provider.


Can I use this feature if I’m renting my home?

No. Only persons with legal ownership rights to the home may enable this feature.


Updated on: 27/01/2026

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