I am quite new to QGIS, but am using it for utility mapping at work.
I have added a google maps layer to my QGIS project via http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z} and am needing to align the view (perhaps the projection?) between it and some utility maps. The issue I am having is that corners that I know to be 90 degree angles, and correctly shown as such on the utility maps are not quite that in the google maps layer so I cannot get them to line up. The view is roughly viewed from above, but slightly behind and off-center so the fronts of the buildings, their NW side, is shorter than the back. The north and south corners are slightly obtuse and the east and west corners are slightly acute.
How do I get the view to properly show square?
Example of a parking lot with the same issue:
Best Answer
I assume you have zoomed in quite a bit to see such details. It is a common misconception that you can see satellite imagery in Google Maps' Satellite mode. If you zoom in enough to see details you are most likely looking at aerial imagery (i.e. from an airplane). Many of them are taken with a slight off-NADIR angle. There's often a great deal of expectation-management necessary when it comes to satellite-imagery, as many people assuem what they see on Google Maps is what they can expect to get from a satellite, when in fact they look at aerial imagery.
For reference you can read the entire (bizarre) story, why it is called "satellite" here (Twitter)
The resolution is always a good hint. Currently you can reach up to 30 cm resolution with (quite expensive) Satellite imagery. This applies to imagery that must be purchased and is quite expensive and hence isn't commonly found on GoogleMaps. Free satellite imagery is available from 10m and upwards (e.g. Sentinel 2).
Here's an aerial image with the off-NADIR angel that you described. Clearly the resolution is MUCH higher than 30 cm:
And this is what you could expect if you'd look at a pure satellite image (different location). Look at the trucks as a reference in comparison to the cars in the 1st image:
