Virtual Tours and Unfair Practices on Google Maps in 2026
Welcome to the Digisolu blog.
The world of digital marketing and Google Maps is constantly evolving, and the year 2026 brings new challenges, especially regarding artificial intelligence and sophisticated scams.
This article will help you navigate how to protect your business profile and get the most out of 360° virtual tours.
We describe real experiences from Europe
Want to listen to what’s in the article? You can on Digisolu podcast on Youtube We are happy that this podcast 📸 Virtual Tours and Unfair Practices on Google Maps in 2026 is translated into … 20 world languages I’d love to hear your opinion – leave a comment Youtube… what do you think? Thanks!💙
How to Safely Choose a Photographer for a Google 360 Virtual Tour in 2026?
Choosing the right partner is the foundation of your digital security. In 2026, a simple „list of recommended photographers“ is no longer enough, as scammers have learned to imitate these lists perfectly.
Verify references and portfolios: Look for real examples of work directly on Google Maps, not just static images on the photographer’s website.
The photographer is not a Google employee: Always keep in mind that photographers are independent content creators. No photographer is a direct employee of Google.
Contractually secure ownership and deletion: Agree in advance on how the tour will be deleted if necessary (e.g., during a move or renovation). A reputable NGO, like Digisolu, can remove a tour within 48 hours.
The end of official logos: The Street View photographer program, in the form it once existed, has ended, and photographers are no longer allowed to use old „Trusted Photographer“ logos on their websites or invoices. If someone still argues with this logo, be on guard.
What Are the Most Common Tricks of Scammers Abusing the Google Street View Brand?
Scams in 2026 are increasingly believable thanks to AI. Here are the most common practices:
„Carpet Bombing“: Scammers massively email all businesses in a specific zip code with an urgent call to update their profile.
Name spoofing: Emails often come under common local names to create a sense of personal approach.
Time and space manipulation: Scammers steal old photos from other locations and, by editing EXIF data (metadata about time and location), pass them off as new photos of your establishment.
AI „Virtual Renovation“: A new trend involves offers to create a tour that uses AI to improve the look of your premises (e.g., new flooring, lighting). However, this deceives customers who will then see something different in reality.
How to Proceed When Removing Unwanted or Duplicate 360 Photos?
If you find low-quality or foreign photos on your profile, proceed as follows:
Contact the author: The fastest way is to ask the photographer who uploaded the image to delete it.
Report via Google Maps: If the photographer does not respond, use the „Report a problem“ function directly at the specific photo in the Maps interface.
Google Support: The most complex and longest route, which we recommend only as a last resort.
Can Multiple Tours in a Profile Affect SEO?
Yes, and often negatively. Having multiple duplicate or low-quality tours in your profile (e.g., from different photographers from different years) can lower your search ranking.
Google prefers recency and relevance. One quality, up-to-date tour in 8K resolution is much more beneficial than five old and blurry ones.
What to Do If a Scam Agency Wrongfully Takes Control of My Business Profile?
If you lose access to your profile:
Don’t panic: Scammers often rely on the fear of deleting the profile.
Request access: In the Google Business Profile interface, request ownership. The current (unauthorized) manager has a limited time to respond.
Verification via Google: If you cannot access the profile, you must go through the re-verification process (video call, postcard code, etc.) directly with Google.
What Influence Does a Single Tour Actually Have on Map Rankings?
A quality virtual tour:
Increases attractiveness: Customers prefer to choose a business they can view in advance.
Helps navigation: A single photo from the outside helps the customer find the right entrance, improving the user experience.
Builds trust: Real, undistorted footage without excessive filters shows that you have nothing to hide.
Digisolu Offer for You
Do you want to be sure that your Google Maps business profile is safe and looks great even in 2026? Digisolu specializes in detecting unfair practices and creating top-notch 360° tours in 8K quality.
We will help you clean up your profile from duplicates and set a strategy that puts you ahead of the competition. https://digitalsolution.marketing/360-virtual-tour-street-view-in-google-maps/
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