- Start with a modest purpose: identify the trip or period that the recap is meant to communicate, rather than treating an animation as a complete movement record.
- Keep the original location-history export unchanged and private. A working selection should not replace the only available source.
- Record the export date and selected period in a separate private note, without putting raw location rows into this public checklist.
- Check the current input instructions before assuming that different JSON exports use the same schema. This checklist is not a compatibility test.
- Keep questions about observations separate from questions about map colors, line contrast, playback pace, or music.
- Describe a surprising route jump as a question to investigate. Do not quietly turn a guess about a timezone or missing observation into a verified explanation.
- Preserve deliberate omissions in a private decision note. A creator should be able to distinguish a privacy edit from an unexplained gap later.
- Inspect the beginning, ending, captions, and thumbnail separately. A location shown briefly can still be visible in a paused frame.
- Prepare distinct private-review and shareable filenames. Local browser processing does not control what a recipient does with an exported video.
- Agree on the intended audience and revision name before sharing. Keep passwords, account credentials, and the complete raw archive out of ordinary review comments.
- For the associated browser project, see https://timeline-visualizer.online/ which describes turning exported location-history JSON into MP4 travel videos with date selection and map styles.
- Disclosure: I am associated with Timeline Visualizer; these educational notes were prepared with AI writing assistance. They are proposed handling practices, not an independent product review or measured test results.
- Basic functionality is free. Pro costs a one-time $2.99 and includes custom music; a paid presentation option does not establish that source observations are accurate.
- The project is not presented as an official Google product. A smooth animation is an edited recap, not proof of an exact road, complete history, or automatic privacy protection.
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