{"id":2959614,"date":"2026-04-01T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2959614"},"modified":"2026-04-01T10:06:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:06:25","slug":"choosing-the-perfect-imagery-layer","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-online\/imagery\/choosing-the-perfect-imagery-layer","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Perfect Imagery Layer"},"author":364902,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[22931],"tags":[42641,115262,768962,760002,33371],"industry":[],"product":[36551,36611],"class_list":["post-2959614","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-imagery","tag-arcgis-online","tag-imagery","tag-imagery-remote-sensing","tag-imagery-layers","tag-map-viewer","product-arcgis-online","product-story-maps"],"acf":{"authors":[{"ID":364902,"user_firstname":"Iza","user_lastname":"Ogilvie","nickname":"Iza Ogilvie","user_nicename":"iogilvie","display_name":"Iza Ogilvie","user_email":"iogilvie@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2024-11-13 21:39:18","user_description":"I am an Esri Raster Product Engineer on the Imagery and Remote Sensing team. My background is in geology, and my thesis work focused on geologic mapping where I integrated structural geology, satellite imagery, and field interpretation to produce a comprehensive geologic map. I\u2019m especially interested in how imagery can illuminate Earth\u2019s processes and help us understand the landscapes we navigate every day. With a passion for science communication, I love translating complex geoscience concepts into engaging, accessible stories!","user_avatar":""},{"ID":319752,"user_firstname":"Elizabeth","user_lastname":"Menezes","nickname":"Elizabeth Menezes","user_nicename":"elizabeth-menezes","display_name":"Elizabeth Ashley Menezes","user_email":"emenezes@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2022-10-07 16:23:06","user_description":"Hello, World! \r\nElizabeth here to share my world with the world one map at a time! I am a Raster Product Engineer with the Imagery & Remote Sensing team. I focus and work on UX\/UI design and development of RADAR & SAR based capabilities at Esri. My education is in geophysics and my thesis work centered around understanding induced earthquake occurrences using seismic data and satellite imagery. As an advocate for science communication, I enjoy bridging the gap between science and design \u2014 combining my technical knowledge with my keen eye for design to create beautiful science.","user_avatar":""}],"short_description":"This article guides you in choosing the perfect imagery layer so you can explore, customize, and share your data easily in ArcGIS Online. ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

\"Choosing<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Imagery Layers can be used for so many different things, and there are countless ways to work with your imagery data. Hosting imagery in ArcGIS Online allows you to easily visualize, analyze, and share your data with others. With so many possibilities, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin. So, let\u2019s start by answering two key questions: what are Imagery Layers, and which one should you choose for your data and goals?<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

What are Imagery Layers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

In simple terms, Imagery Layers are raster data, whether it be from satellites, drone imagery, or elevation models of the earth\u2019s surface. All these different data sources can be hosted or shared in ArcGIS Online as either a Tiled Imagery Layer<\/strong> or Dynamic Imagery Layer<\/strong>. The type of layer you choose will depend on what you want to use your imagery data for, and how you want to use the data you have. And this is just the start! Don\u2019t worry, we are here to help you figure out the best course of action for your needs.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tiled
\nTiled Imagery Layer<\/span><\/th>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Dynamic
\nDynamic Imagery Layer<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
What It Is<\/td>\nImagery optimized for quick display on maps.<\/td>\nImagery optimized for filtering, sorting, and analyzing large image collections.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

Ideal For<\/td>\nInteractive viewing, visual customization, and building web apps.<\/td>\nVisual customization and analysis with additional control over filtering and image
\norganization ideal for interactive and frequently changing data.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

Key Features<\/td>\n\u2022<\/span> Styles
\n\u2022<\/span> Basic processing templates
\n\u2022<\/span> Pop-ups
\n\u2022<\/span> Analysis
\n\u2022<\/span> Multidimensional information & settings<\/td>\n		All of the features of Tiled Imagery Layers plus<\/em>:
\n\u2022<\/span> Advanced processing templates
\n\u2022<\/span> Filtering and sorting
\n\u2022<\/span> Image collection explorer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

Common Use Cases<\/td>\n\u2022<\/span> Basemaps
\n\u2022<\/span> Most single images
\n\u2022<\/span> Elevation data (DEMs)
\n\u2022<\/span> Land cover & thematic rasters
\n\u2022<\/span> Multidimensional data<\/td>\n		\u2022<\/span> Image libraries
\n\u2022<\/span> Image collections
\n\u2022<\/span> Time series analysis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

What can I use imagery layers for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"