Recently, we had fun participating in the “Selfie Time” activity of the @NareshDarji’s challenge Google Maps Turns 20. When I searched for the word ‘Selfi’ on Connect, I found exactly 50 results. However, I’m still writing this 51st post because yesterday I came across a selfie point marked with the hashtag (#) symbol, which was different from the usual selfie points with the 
sign. Below are the Maps location and photo.
The trend of Selfie Points emerged in the early 2010s with the rise of smartphone photography and social media platforms. As people started sharing more travel and lifestyle photos online, cities, tourist attractions, and businesses began designating Selfie Points—specific locations designed for taking perfect pictures. Projections for 2024 suggest that around 78 billion selfies were taken globally, reflecting the continued rise in selfie culture. This marks a notable increase from 2017, when an estimated 48 billion selfies were captured, accounting for approximately 4% of all photos taken worldwide.
The Historical Timeline of Selfies:
1839 – The first known photographic self-portrait was taken by Robert Cornelius, an American photographer..
2002 – The word “selfie” was evaloved: It was first used on September 13, 2002, in an Australian online forum. A user posted a photo of themselves after a drunken accident and referred to it as a “selfie,” using the informal “-ie” suffix commonly used in Australian slang.
2010 – The Rise of Front-Facing Cameras: Apple’s iPhone 4 introduced a front-facing camera, making selfies easier and more popular.
2013 – The “Selfie” Boom: The word selfie was declared the Oxford Word of the Year, marking its global recognition. This period saw a massive increase in individuals taking self-portraits at famous landmarks.
2014 – National Selfie Day: National Selfi Day was started in the U.S. in 2014 by DJ Rick McNeely, is now celebrated worldwide on June, 21.
2015 – Tourism Industry Adopts Selfie Points: Recognizing the trend, tourism boards and city planners worldwide began setting up dedicated Selfie Points at famous attractions, scenic locations, and even shopping malls.
2016 – Entry into Fairs & Exhibitions: Major events like book fairs, cultural festivals, and trade expos started incorporating themed Selfie Points to engage visitors. The World Book Fair in New Delhi introduced literary-themed backdrops, while Nakshatra Fair featured cosmic and zodiac-inspired photo spots.
2018-Present – Government and Brands Join the Trend: Many cities, brands, and event organizers started using Selfie Points as promotional tools, featuring interactive elements, creative backdrops, and branding to attract visitors and encourage social media sharing.
Have you clicked a selfie? Share your shots! 
