Google Maps Street View

Google Maps tips & tricks
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I just received an email from “google maps street view” stating they are now adding inside photos for local businesses. I am trying to figure out if this is a legit email. I have no way and don’t know where to go to validate that this is really happening. Has anyone else received this email asking me to click on links to see examples and send them a return email or call if interested? Thanks in advance for your input.

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Hi Gina,

the most suspicious part of this email is the request to reply to it. I think a legit message would not request such a personal thing. The Google environment is too big for that the company itself was able to manage personal contact to millions of users, beside the established forums and especially regarding a bulk function like editing and contributing in the maps.

The expansion of Street View to indoor places however is true, but not really new…

Happy Easter Greetings

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Hello @GinaR42

Please can we see a screenshot of the E-mail? Secondly I haven’t received such Email neither has anyone reported any such Email on the forum. If there was any such news or activities we should have an official announcement first hand here on connect.

Well, please beware of clicking on any links that might be a virus or spy link.

Happy guiding

Cheers

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Thanks for asking, @GinaR42

Google do not provide this kind of service, and no one will call you on behalf of Google for suggesting it.

There are of course agencies and Street View Trusted Photographers, they are professional and sometimes they provide good service, but, again, they are not working for Google.

For more details you can read: Hire a trusted pro, boost your visibility

As a personal opinion, I would never trust someone who is contacting me declaring that he’s from Google. This is unfortunately a common practice, and they can be reported for this.

However, many photographers are doing a great job, and indeed a business can get visibility with a good virtual tour. This is a choice of the business itself, and cannot be “forced” by contacting a customer in the wrong way

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In any case, @SholaIB this is not an information tha would pass through Connect, because it is related to a B2B activity, and it is against is against the Local Guides Program Terms and Conditions : “Organizations, brands, and businesses are not eligible for the Program.”

Promoting a For Hire service through the Local Guide profile is against the term and conditions too.

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Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. That is what I thought and I did not click on any links or respond in any way. It looked like it could be real to me and I didn’t know where else to go to verify. Anyway here is the screenshot:

[REDACTED]

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Thanks for sharing the screenshot.

I just read the guidelines for use of the trusted logo. And I think they are in violation of the following:

  • Ensure that the badge and branding elements aren’t the most prominent elements on the page/clothing.
  • Only use the trusted badge in combination with your name or company name and logo.

They use the Trusted logo as the primary logo.

  • 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.

Clearly this example did confuse @GinaR42 to believe this was Google contacting her.

The branding guidelines are here.

There is even a form to report misuse of the Logo.

Please be aware that the above mentioned links might not be accessable for all.

@ErmesT What do you think. Should this be reported?

Cheers

Morten

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Well, I do not see a violation in this email, @GinaR42 ,

@MortenCopenhagen , The link shared by you says “Only use the trusted badge in combination with your name or company name and logo”

They use the logo In Combination with the name and they do not declare in any place that they are “from Google”, so I don’t think there is a violation of the Appropriate use of the Google Brands.

In any case, for a more appropriate response I am tagging @InaS here, also to remove the screenshot as it can be a non intentional advertisement for the Business itself.

On a side note, @GinaR42 , while I want to thank you for this post, I think you should address your future query to the Google Business Profile community, because this is a Community of Local Guides, and businesses have their own community.

Writing here to represent your business is a violation of the Local Guides Program Terms and Conditions too: “Organizations, brands, and businesses are not eligible for the Program.”

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Hi @ErmesT ,

Thanks a lot for tagging me.

@GinaR42 , I see you got some great advice from fellow Local Guides, please have a look at the articles they shared. For anything related to Street View Trusted Photographers policy, please check out this article.

I removed the screenshot from your comment. We do not encourage Local Guides to share private information publicly on Connect in order to protect yours and other users’ privacy and safety. That is why the screenshot was removed from the post. Please take a moment to review our Community Policy.

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