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On the old style Google Maps there was an option to remove the "labels" overlay so in satellite view you would just see the map.

In the new version of Maps I can't seem to find out how to remove this layer.

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[Updated Nov 2019]

  1. Click the "hamburger" icon on the top left corner:
  2. Click Satellite (the second item of the menu) to turn Sattellite mode on if it's not on yet;
  3. Click Labels on under Sattellite. It changes to Labels off afterwards;
  4. Enjoy!

enter image description here

[Original answer]

  1. Click the menu icon on the top left corner;
  2. Turn on Earth mode (first item of the menu) if it's not on;
  3. Click on Labels on. It changes to Labels off afterwards
  4. Enjoy!

Location of the "labels" option.

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  • This is a the current, and correct answer. – cchiera Mar 9 '16 at 18:27
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    No, that shows you satellite imagery, not the road map. – Jimbali Apr 5 '16 at 16:15
  • Mostly correct, although step 2 is not required. – Jonny Wright Jan 12 '17 at 16:37
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    Answer obsolete. – TARKUS Jun 12 '19 at 4:27
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    Is there way to remove labels from map, not satellite or terrain? I want to see a clean map only with street names and without many shops or offices around – Ege Bayrak Mar 24 at 8:28
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Complaints about the lack of such a feature (I think perhaps on 'Earth' view rater than satellite) are recent so I think there is, as yet, no simple way to remove the labels. However there is this advice from John Mee June 24 (presumably 2014):

Either:

a) Hit the "?" on the new maps and select "return to the old google maps". On the old maps in the "map/traffic" widget at the top right of page you can uncheck "labels". In the left sidebar click "get it now" to return to the New google maps (or "dismiss" the 'remember I want old maps' notification and close/reopen the browser.

alternatively

b) Install Google Earth and turn off all the "Layers"

I've not tested this but it seems to have been upvoted more than downvoted.

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Stylized Google Maps

You can use the Google Maps Styled Map Wizard which allows to remove labels and do other sorts of personalizations (Roads, Landmarks, Color Styles, elements coloring and fill, etc):

https://mapstyle.withgoogle.com/

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    Really not helpful for Satellite view. – NetMage May 22 '20 at 15:53
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In Earth view on the new Google Maps, if you hit the settings cogwheel at the bottom right-hand corner (between the ? and the Street View Pegman), the option to toggle labels is now available.

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    There doesn't even seem to be a settings button/cogwheel anymore... A big screw you from Google. Fewer and worse options after every major update. – Rudie Oct 23 '15 at 19:57
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    This answer is no longer correct -- see answer from "John Doe". – Rick Mohr May 16 '16 at 1:28
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    Answer from "John Doe" was never correct, because you have to go into Satellite view (what used to be "Earth" view"), and as soon as you switch back to Street view--which is the most common way to view a road map--the markers appear again. Now Google gives us road maps flooded with tourist markers. Try embedding a map of downtown Manhattan. It's useless and annoying, when all you want is the one red marker with "My Office". – TARKUS Jun 12 '19 at 10:07

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