If you work in photography, virtual tours, real estate marketing, or 360 photography, you have probably heard the term “Google Trusted Photographer.”
When I first came across the program, I immediately saw why it could be valuable for someone working in virtual tours. Being recognized by Google as a trusted professional gave photographers another way to establish credibility, showcase their work, and potentially connect with businesses looking for professional 360 photography.
I actually went through this process myself, and in this article I’ll explain what Google Trusted Photographers were, how the program worked, why the recognition was valuable, and what photographers should know about the program today.
What Is a Google Trusted Photographer?
Google Street View allows people to explore locations through 360 degree imagery. While Google creates much of the Street View imagery themselves, businesses, photographers, and other contributors can also publish 360 photos to Google Maps.
These contributors help build a much larger visual representation of places around the world.
For professional photographers, this created an opportunity to specialize in 360 photography and virtual tours.
The Google Trusted Photographer program was designed to recognize photographers who had demonstrated experience publishing 360 imagery to Google Maps. Historically, photographers could become eligible after publishing at least 50 approved and published 360 photos. Google then provided a Trusted Photographer badge and access to professional resources and listings.
Google’s own Maps Community documentation confirmed the 50 approved 360 photo requirement for the program.
However, there is an important distinction for anyone reading this today.
Is the Google Trusted Photographer Program Still Open?
This is where older videos and articles can become confusing.
The process described in many older tutorials, including the process I originally followed, is not necessarily available to new photographers today.
Recent Google Maps Community responses indicate that Google has discontinued accepting new applications for the Street View Trusted Photographer program. Existing approved photographers may continue to retain their status, but new photographers should not assume that publishing 50 photos will automatically result in a Trusted Photographer badge.
So, if you’re starting today, I would not recommend building your business strategy around obtaining the old Trusted Photographer badge.
Instead, focus on the underlying skill that made the program valuable in the first place: creating high quality 360 imagery and virtual tours that help businesses showcase their locations.
That skill is still highly relevant.
Why 360 Photography Is Valuable for Businesses
A traditional photograph gives someone one view of a location.
A 360 photo gives them the opportunity to look around and explore the space.
This can be especially useful for:
• Real estate properties
• Hotels and resorts
• Restaurants
• Retail stores
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Event venues
• Treatment centers
• Offices
• Showrooms
• Commercial properties
For businesses, the goal isn’t simply to have attractive photos.
It’s about helping potential customers understand what the space looks and feels like before they visit.
That’s one of the reasons professional photography remains such an important part of digital marketing. If you’re interested in combining 360 imagery with professional visual content, you can also explore our professional photography services.
How the Google Trusted Photographer Process Worked
When I went through the process, the basic idea was straightforward.
You created a profile and began publishing 360 imagery to Google Maps.
Once you reached the required number of approved and published 360 photos, you could become eligible for Google’s Trusted Photographer recognition.
The important word here is “approved.”
Simply uploading 50 images was not enough. The imagery needed to meet Google’s publishing requirements and actually be approved and published on Google Maps. Google’s documentation also explained that images that were not published would not count toward the requirement.
After meeting the requirement, photographers could receive further instructions and, historically, could be listed as professionals available for hire.
That listing was particularly useful because it connected the photographer’s professional information with Google’s Street View ecosystem.
Creating 360 Photos for Google Maps
The process of creating a 360 photo depends on the equipment and workflow you’re using.
For beginners, a 360 camera can make the process much easier because it captures the entire environment in one shot.
The general workflow is:
- Capture the 360 image.
- Make sure the image is properly stitched and processed.
- Check the image quality.
- Publish the image to Google Maps.
- Verify that it has been successfully published.
- Continue building a portfolio of quality 360 imagery.
Google provides its own technical guidance for Street View imagery, including requirements around image quality, positioning, metadata, and capture methods.
The technology has also evolved. Google currently provides Street View Studio and publishing tools that allow compatible 360 imagery to be uploaded and published to Google Maps.
Don’t Focus Only on the Badge
This is probably the biggest lesson I would take from the entire process.
The badge was valuable because it represented experience and credibility.
But the real value is the work behind it.
If you can create a high quality virtual tour that makes a property or business look impressive, you have something much more useful than a badge.
A business owner isn’t ultimately hiring you because you have a logo or certification.
They’re hiring you because you can help them present their business professionally online.
That’s why I recommend building a strong portfolio alongside your Google Maps presence.
For property professionals, for example, a well-produced virtual tour for a property can give potential buyers or renters a much better understanding of the space before they schedule a viewing.
Can 360 Photography Help Your Business?
Absolutely, but it depends on how you position the service.
Don’t sell a business owner “50 panoramic photos.”
Sell them the experience you’re creating for their customers.
For example, a restaurant owner may want potential customers to see the atmosphere before making a reservation.
A hotel may want guests to explore rooms and common areas before booking.
A real estate agent may want prospective buyers to explore a property remotely.
A gym may want new members to see the facility before signing up.
The technology is simply the tool.
The business result is what matters.
What About SEO and Google Backlinks?
One of the things I discussed in my original video was the potential SEO value of having a profile or website associated with Google’s professional directory.
It’s important to be careful with this point.
A link from a high authority domain can certainly be valuable from a visibility and authority perspective, but you should never assume that one Google link will automatically improve your rankings.
SEO is much broader than backlinks.
Your website’s technical foundation, content, relevance, local signals, links, user experience, reputation, and many other factors can contribute to organic visibility.
So, if you’re building a photography or virtual tour business, think of your Google presence as one part of a larger digital marketing strategy.
Build a Complete Visual Marketing Package
360 photography doesn’t have to be your only service.
Businesses often need multiple types of visual content.
You could offer:
• Professional interior and exterior photography
• 360 virtual tours
• Real estate photography
• Aerial photography
• Drone footage
• Property videos
• Before and after photography
• Google Maps imagery
For real estate professionals, aerial photography can be particularly useful for showing the surrounding property, land, neighborhood, and overall setting. You can learn more about real estate drone and aerial photography.
Combining these services allows you to provide a much more complete visual marketing solution.
What I Would Recommend to Photographers Today
If you’re interested in getting started with 360 photography, here’s the approach I would take today.
1. Learn the technology
Start by learning how 360 cameras work, how images are stitched, and how to produce clean, professional imagery.
2. Practice on real locations
Your first few projects don’t have to be huge.
Practice in offices, homes, businesses, showrooms, or other suitable locations where you have permission to photograph.
3. Publish quality work
Don’t chase a number just for the sake of reaching a target.
Focus on imagery that is properly captured, processed, and published.
4. Build your own portfolio
Your website should show prospective clients exactly what you can do.
Include examples, virtual tours, photography, and real projects.
5. Use Google Maps as part of your marketing strategy
Even though the old Trusted Photographer onboarding process is no longer something new photographers should rely on, Google Maps remains an important platform for businesses and visual content.
6. Sell the business outcome
Don’t simply sell “360 photos.”
Explain how your work can help a business showcase its space, improve the customer experience, and create a stronger online presence.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Google Trusted Photographer was an exciting milestone for me because it combined several things I was already passionate about: photography, technology, Google Maps, virtual tours, and helping businesses showcase their spaces online.
The program itself has changed over time, and photographers should check Google’s latest information rather than relying on older tutorials that promise a Trusted badge after 50 photos.
But the underlying opportunity is still there.
Businesses still need high quality photography. They still need immersive experiences. They still need professional virtual tours. And they still need better ways to show potential customers what their locations actually look like.
That’s where the real opportunity is.
If you’re a business owner looking to showcase your property or location through professional photography and immersive virtual tours, get in touch with Momentum Virtual Tours to discuss your project.
