2022
@NatalieP wrote:We know there are lots of questions circulating about the Street View trusted program, so we have compiled a few FAQs for your perusal. Happy 360 shooting!
How can I become a Street View trusted photographer?
You are eligible to become a trusted pro after you publish 50 Maps-approved 360 photos on Google Maps. After you have published 50 Maps-approved 360 photos, please make sure you have turned on the “Available for Hire” switch found in settings in the Street View App. You will then see an invitation in the Street View app to be marked as a trusted pro.
After accepting, you’ll then receive an email: please complete the form linked in the email, and, upon verification of your published 360 photos, your information will be listed on the for-hire index within one business week and you’ll have access to the Trusted badge.
It’s important that your images meet our Maps publishing criteria and policies and have a minimum of 14MP otherwise they won’t be published to Maps or count towards your trusted status. (Your contributions page shows all images you submitted including those not published to Maps.)
I’ve been publishing photospheres for a long time. To get the new Street View trusted badge, do I need to delete and republish my photos through the Street View app?
No, all 360 photos that you have published that meet the Maps publishing criteria count towards your trusted photographer status.
How long does it take to get photos approved and published?
All maps-approved 360 photos are published instantly. However, if your 360 photos don’t meet the Maps publishing criteria, they will not be published to Maps. You will still see these 360 photos on your contributions page.
What is the criteria for the 360 photos to be published?
Please check our website for a comprehensive description of our Maps publishing criteria and policies.
Are we allowed to display the watermark/ brand of Street View trusted photographer on 360 photos?
Please read up on our sales guidelines for our policies around the use of the trusted photographer and Street View brand.
I have received the invitation to be a trusted photographer through the Street View App but I cannot turn on the “For Hire” tab.
We are aware of this issue. In the meantime, rest assured that if you have received the invitation, you are qualified as a trusted photographer and will have access to the benefits.
Isn’t Local Guides a program where we are not paid to help contribute to Google Maps? With the Street view trusted photographer, that seems to go against the policy of Local Guides
Please read the guidelines on participating in Local Guides here. If you offer services for hire (such as marketing yourself as a Street View trusted provider), you are not allowed to bundle such services with your Local Guide membership.
I still cannot see the “Street View Photographer” badge on Local Guides Connect. Do I get it only after I get my Trusted Photographer badge on the Street View App?
Yes, only if you have qualified for and accepted the invitation to be a trusted pro will you see the Trusted badge on Local Guides Connect.
Do I get points for the Local Guides program by uploading 360 photos?
Yes, you can earn points by uploading 360 photos, as well as flat photos, to specific business places and establishments via Google Maps. We recommend you visit the Help Center for the steps on how to upload photos.
I want my Trusted Photographer badge to show in Google Maps instead of my Local Guides badge / Where does the Trusted Photographer badge show up?
The Street View trusted badge is only displayed in the Street View app at this time.
Hello @NatalieP,
Thanks for the inputs. I did exactly as your post says. But I am still not able to activate the 'Available for Hire' button. Can you look into this for me please?
I've contributed 58 photo spheres so far and it has been more than 2 weeks. All the photos spheres, I think, are meeting the guidelines mentioned. However, when I try to turn on the 'Available or Hire' button, it turns on and turns off immediately saying that 'Required 50 published and approved photos'.
