VGI is the harnessing of tools to create, assemble, and disseminate geographic data.
- Some examples of this phenomenon are WikiMapia, OpenStreetMap, and Google Map Maker
- VGI can also be seen as an extension of critical and participatory approaches to geographic information systems
- As a specific concern within online or web credibility
These sites provide general base map information and allow users to create their own content by marking locations where various events occurred or certain features exist, but aren’t already shown on the base map.