Geotagging: What is it? And How Much Trouble Does it Cause?

Geotagging is a relatively new term. It has been generated as a result of social media and the internet. According to definitions, geotagging refers to attaching geographical data to an internet post like a photo, video, etc. In other words, it is the “add location” feature that many social media platforms have.
 
In essence, it is how many internet users let their followers know exactly where they took that amazing photo of that utterly untouched beach on vacation. And although it sounds harmless, the reality is tagging a geographical location in a post is the reason behind many natural environments are being exploited.
 
Once a photo is posted with a geotag it is becoming very common that humans going to extreme lengths to use the nature photograph to be featured in someone else’s post.
 
Un an article written by USA Today tells of the Super Bloom of poppy fields in Walker Canyon, California and how the increased foot traffic of thousands of visitors to see the blooming flowers forced officials to shut it down. The poppies were growing up and down the sides of the canyon, and many visitors did not wear appropriate footwear and slid down the steep terrain, loosening boulders and crushing the flowers.
 
Stories like the poppy fields are popping up more and more frequently and conservationists are asking nature enthusiasts to stop geotagging specific locations. Instead, they suggest just tagging the region. Thus giving the post the mystique and protection it deserves and it forces people to go exploring on their own and enjoy getting lost in nature.