Quick summary
QGIS lets you add satellite imagery basemaps directly to your map canvas using the QuickMapServices plugin with providers like Google or ESRI. Once selected, the imagery loads as a new layer in the Layers panel, giving you instant geographic context for your spatial analysis.
Steps
- In the top menu, click Web, then select QuickMapServices, and choose a provider such as Google or ESRI to access satellite imagery basemaps.
- Choose Google and select Google Satellite to load Google's satellite basemap into your project.
- Alternatively, choose ESRI and select ESRI Satellite to use ESRI's satellite imagery instead.
- Whichever satellite imagery is selected, it will open as a basemap in the layout and automatically add a new layer to the Layers panel.