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Google's 3D models are based on aerial imagery, which is higher resolution, and suffers from much less atmospheric interference.

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The fact that Google has so many cities mapped for aerial imagery is very interesting to me. Do we know how they get this aerial imagery data? (i.e. Is it one or more subcontracted companies that specialize in aerial photography?)

According to [1]:

"The US National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) offers aerial image data of the US at one-meter resolution, including nearly complete coverage every several years since 2003. Earth Engine includes this data as well as sample imagery from several commercial providers."

[1]: https://earthengine.google.com/datasets/

this gives some information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suo_aUTUpps

I see; thanks for the clarification.

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