Are you thinking about adding immersive view content to your Google Business Profile?
At Threshold 360, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses—from boutique hotels to tourism boards—optimize their Google presence using immersive 360 content.
One thing we’ve learned: most businesses are doing 360 photos and videos wrong.
They upload a normal image and expect it to drive bookings. But in 2025, that’s not enough. The difference between getting noticed on Google and getting buried often comes down to how your 360 content is captured, formatted, and shared.
In this article, we’ll explain what Google My Business 360 photos really are (and what they’re not), why they matter more than ever this year, and how to make sure yours work as hard as possible for your business.
What Are Google My Business 360 Photos?
Google My Business (now referred to as your Google Business Profile) allows businesses to upload visual content that helps customers preview their space before visiting. A 360 photo is meant to simulate that experience.
Originally, 360 photos were stitched panoramas, which are flat, static, and often difficult to navigate. Today, leading businesses are upgrading to immersive video content.
These visuals mimic the feeling of walking through a space.
This is what modern 360 content should look like:
- Movement that shows how rooms connect and flow
- Lighting and angles that reveal ambiance
- High-resolution visuals that feel cinematic, and not stitched together
Why Many 360 Photos on Google Don’t Work
We often see businesses treat 360 content like a checkbox.
They upload one low-quality image, skip any meaningful description, and assume the job is done. But when that photo is grainy, outdated, or misaligned, it can actually hurt performance, and credibility.
Common issues we see:
- Visuals that don’t reflect your current setup or branding
- No captions, keywords, or geotags to help with search optimization
- Flat photo spheres that offer little interaction or emotional connection
In 2025, users expect to explore a space. If your 360 photo doesn’t deliver that experience, they’ll move on.
How to Get High-Performing 360 Content on Your Google Business Profile
There are several ways to create and publish 360 content. The right choice depends on your goals—and your standards.
1.Do-it-yourself:
You can use a consumer-grade 360 camera and upload the photo manually. This gives you control, but it also requires editing skills, familiarity with Google’s requirements, and time to troubleshoot quality issues.
2.Hire a Street View Trusted Photographer:
These professionals are certified by Google and can create a traditional 360 photo for your listing. It’s a step up from DIY but still rooted in stitched-image technology.
3.Use Threshold 360’s Aether platform:
Aether by Threshold 360 offers the most advanced approach.
With a single scan, we create immersive 3D experiences that outperform static visuals in both engagement and conversion. These can be uploaded to your Google Business Profile, and also repurposed across websites, social, and email campaigns.
Once your 360 content is ready, uploading it to your profile is simple:
- Log into your Google Business account
- Go to the Photos section
- Select the Video tab (or use the “+” icon to upload)
- Upload a 30-second or shorter MP4 or MOV file (under 75MB)
- Add a keyword-rich title and caption that describes what the viewer will experience
Google typically reviews and approves new videos within 24–48 hours.
Why Immersive Video Outperforms Static Photos
Google’s algorithm is designed to surface listings that users find helpful and engaging.
Immersive 360 video holds attention. It shows people what it’s like to actually be there. That emotional connection is what builds trust, and drives conversions.
Static photos might show a room. Immersive video walks you through it.
That difference matters.
One Scan. Dozens of Strategic Assets.
One of the biggest misconceptions we see? That 360 content is a one-time use.
With Aether, a single scan can produce dozens of fly-throughs tailored to different audiences and platforms. You can create:
- A daytime walkthrough for your Google Business Profile
- A moodier, ambient version for social ads
- A custom fly-through for corporate event planners
You don’t need to reshoot. You don’t need a drone. And you don’t need to stitch images together.
Immersive video content isn’t just a creative upgrade, it’s a strategic tool for visibility, engagement, and trust. And it’s already shaping how top-ranked businesses appear in local search.
Want your Google Business Profile to stand out—not just show up?
Schedule a demo with Threshold 360 to see how Aether can elevate your listing and turn a single scan into your most powerful digital asset.