Maps

Photographers/Agencies

Google is not a party to agreements between photographers and business owners or any other third parties.

• Please note, this information is provided only as guidance. Google does not audit the terms of third-party agreements.
• Google is unable to resolve any disputes that arise between you and your client, including any questions related to product quality or total cost of the shoot. If issues arise during the course of your relationship, you and your client will need to resolve them on your own.

Business Owners

If you decide to hire a professional photographer to collect imagery of your business, note that Google does not employ any photographers or agencies and we cannot guarantee the quality of their services — so exercise good judgement.

• If a dispute arises from the collection of imagery, you will need to resolve it with the photographer or agency according to the terms of your contract with them. Google does not mediate third-party disputes.
• While Google does not employ photographers or agencies, we do allow contributors to gain the trusted badge. This certification highlights photographers and agencies who have met our quality guidelines across at least fifty published 360 photos, evidencing their capture and publishing proficiency.

Connecting Businesses with Photographers/Agencies

Google may provide trusted photographers and agencies with contact information for a business if the business has requested a professional photo shoot.

• Trusted pros are independent parties who must not misrepresent their affiliations with Google.
• Google wants to enable businesses and photographers/agencies to enter into positive business relationships. In some circumstances, we will share business opportunities with all trusted pros. In other cases, we will share business opportunities with a more limited set of trusted pros.

Verified Listings

Verified businesses can update many of their listing detail as they appear in Google Maps and other Google properties. Trusted photographers and agencies may support their clients by helping verify listings through Google My Business.

• If no business listing exists and a business is located in a country where Google My Business is supported, trusted photographers and agencies can support business owners in creating and verifying their business listings.

Things You Can Do

• Only use the trusted badge and branding elements if you’re a certified member of the program.
• Offer professional 360 photos as one of your business services.
• Only show the trusted badge against a white background with enough padding, no matter where you display it.
• Only use the trusted badge in combination with your name or company name and logo.
• Use the trusted badge and branding elements in a website, presentation, business apparel, and printed sales materials. Make sure that the badge and branding elements aren’t the most prominent elements on the page/clothing.
• When displaying graphics on the roof of a vehicle, you may only use your own brand and logo. If you wish to brand the nadir/zenith, or use the trusted badge on other parts of a vehicle, follow the guidelines below.

Things You Can’t Do

• Don’t misrepresent or hide that you’re part of the trusted program when you’re interacting with businesses.
• Don’t bundle any services you offer for hire (such as marketing yourself as a Street View trusted provider) with your Local Guide membership. For tips on how to continue to sell photography services while participating in Local guides, follow the post on Local Guides Connect.
• Don’t change any of the Google Maps, Street View, or trusted badge, logos or wordmarks, including adding any graphics, stretching the images, or translating them.
• Don’t use the badge in a misleading or abusive way. For example, using the badge in a way that suggests a Google endorsement for any product or service.
• Don’t use Google, Google Maps, Street View, trusted badge, or any other Google trademark — or its likeness — in a domain name.
• Don’t use the branding elements in any way other than those specified in the guidelines.
• Don't display the Street View icon or vehicle specific trusted branding elements:
  • if you are not a member of the trusted program.
  • any larger than 12in x 5in or 30cm x 12cm on a vehicle.
  • as the most prominent or sole branding element on a vehicle.
  • example:

Branding in the nadir/zenith of 360 images:

• You can use the logo/name of your company in the respective size as the nadir/zenith. Consult the policy guidelines for any format specific criteria.
• When including branding in the nadir of your imagery or on the roof of your vehicle, you must:
  • have permission to use the branding.
  • only display content that is relevant (for example, promoting local tourism) or is otherwise limited to attribution.
• In the case of sponsorship/attribution, the displayed branding must:
  • not be accompanied by a Google brand asset.
  • not be accompanied by any promotional graphics or language (unless it is relevant to the location shown).
  • include "sponsored by" or a translated equivalent.
• Don’t use the trusted badge or any other Google branding in the nadir/zenith of your 360 images (including in any rooftop graphics that may be visible to your camera).

Remember to follow these guidelines when using the trusted badge. Here are some other guidelines to follow:

• Google’s Rules for Proper Usage
• Brand Terms and Conditions
• Geo Usage Guidelines
• All other usage guidelines for Google trademarks

Note: If you don’t follow these guidelines, you may lose your certification and the right to use the trusted badge and other branding elements.

Visibility of Images on Google Maps

Please note that Google will rank images on Google Maps irrespective of any contractual or commercial agreement between third parties, including agreements between business owners and photographers.

• The fact that a business owner has paid a professional photographer for a shoot will not guarantee how imagery is ranked or appears in Google Maps.

Photographers are Not Google Employees

As a photographer or agency, you must not represent yourself in a way that suggests you are employed by Google. Present yourself truthfully as a fully independent business entity, and communicate to clients Google’s limited role as a publishing service.

Compliance with Local Laws

Be sure to abide by all local and federal laws when serving clients. Do not misrepresent your skill or the end quality of the work that you perform. Also make sure you carry the appropriate insurance necessary to perform work you have been hired to complete.

Ownership and Control Over Images

We recommend that when photographers/agencies and business owners engage, both parties enter into a written contract that specifies the terms of the agreement, warranty, and future ownership rights.

• Be sure to determine who will own the imagery after the shoot is completed. If the photographer/agency will retain ownership, make sure the business owner is aware how they may use the imagery without infringing on the photographer/agency’s copyright. If ownership passes to the business owner, please make sure they consent to the transfer of images, and that they understand what rights the photographer/agency may retain.
• The same image should not published twice under two accounts (such as the photographer’s and the business owner’s accounts).

Accountability

While published images are typically visible on Google Maps within seconds, these images may subsequently be rejected if they are not in compliance with Google Maps’ imagery policies or the Google Maps Terms of Service.

• Should commissioned imagery be rejected from Google Maps, resolving the issue remains the responsibility of the photographer/agency and the business owner.
• We recommend that photographers promptly correct or replace images that are against our policies — and ensure they’re approved for Google Maps — or else fully refund their client in the event that the issue cannot be resolved.

No Conflicts of Interest

Some Google programs — notably Local Guides — require that you participate in a non-professional capacity (e.g., that you are not compensated for the content that you contribute). If you offer services for hire (such as marketing yourself as a Street View trusted provider), it’s important that you do not bundle these professional services with any other non-professional services that imply impartiality (such as your ability to post a rating or review as a Local Guide).