LABELLING OF AGGREGATED GEOLOCATION TAGS IN A DIGITAL MAPPING SYSTEM

Geotag data embedded in a photograph is converted to a multilevel hierarchical place name tag, which is a new data structure. Higher hierarchy levels correspond to larger geographical regions. Lower hierarchy levels correspond to smaller geographical regions. The geotag data is used to locate the photograph on a map. A cluster of nearby photographs is defined and represented by a consolidated pin. The identification and quantity of clustered photographs depends on the relative locations of the photographs and the map zoom level. A consolidated pin label is defined based on which hierarchy levels, if any, have a common place name tags. In some cases the consolidated pin label includes only place name tags that are shared amongst all clustered photographs. In other cases the consolidated pin label includes a short list of mutually exclusive place name tags. The consolidated pin label is displayed on the map near the consolidated pin.