FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Matterport Virtual Tour?
A Matterport Virtual Tour is an immersive and interactive 3D representation of a physical space, allowing users to explore it virtually. Created with Matterport’s advanced technology, these tours capture high-quality images that are seamlessly stitched together to form a realistic virtual environment.
How does Matterport technology work?
Matterport technology uses specialized cameras and software to capture 2D images and 3D data of a space. This information is processed by the Matterport Cloud platform to create a detailed, navigable 3D model. The resulting virtual tour can be easily shared online and viewed on various devices.
Which types of spaces and businesses can benefit from Matterport Virtual Tours?
Matterport Virtual Tours are an invaluable tool for a wide array of businesses and properties, enhancing online marketing efforts and providing a realistic preview of spaces. These sectors include gyms, spas, and health clubs, where potential members can virtually explore fitness facilities; showrooms that display automotive, furniture, or art collections in 3D; bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues that want to highlight their ambiance; nurseries and play centers for parents to assess safety and environment; and museums that wish to make exhibits accessible remotely.
Additionally, retail shops can benefit by showing their merchandise and layout; manufacturing premises can build trust by showcasing their operational capabilities; medical centers can reduce patient anxiety by displaying facilities; and real estate sectors, including residential properties like houses, apartments, and cottages, as well as commercial properties like buildings and office spaces. Event venues can offer planners a preview of their spaces, educational institutions can attract students by highlighting campus amenities, and vacation rentals, including cottages and B&Bs, can showcase their charm and features. Even luxury assets like yachts can be displayed in detail, aiding in sales and rentals. Overall, Matterport Virtual Tours serve as a crucial digital tool for enhancing visibility and engaging potential customers and clients effectively.
What is the timeframe for producing a Matterport Virtual Tour?
The timeframe for producing a Matterport Virtual Tour varies based on the size and complexity of the space. Capturing the images and data usually takes a few hours to a couple of days. After uploading the data to the Matterport Cloud platform, it typically takes an additional 24-48 hours for the virtual tour to be processed and made available.
Can Matterport Virtual Tours be embedded on websites and shared on social media platforms?
Yes, Matterport Virtual Tours can be easily embedded on websites and shared across social media platforms like Facebook, X platform, and LinkedIn. Matterport provides a simple embed code or sharing link for this purpose.
Can Matterport Virtual Tours be viewed on mobile devices and tablets?
Yes, Matterport Virtual Tours can be viewed on mobile devices and tablets via web browsers or the Matterport mobile app, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience across different devices.
Are there any constraints or limitations when using Matterport Virtual Tours for my company?
Yes, there are some potential limitations when using Matterport Virtual Tours for your business. These include the need for a compatible camera and a reliable internet connection, as well as the time and resources required to capture and maintain up-to-date virtual tours. Challenges may also arise with highly reflective surfaces, areas with limited lighting, and large outdoor spaces when capturing accurate 3D data.
How do Matterport Virtual Tours compare to conventional photography or video tours?
Matterport Virtual Tours offer an immersive and interactive 3D experience that sets them apart from traditional photography or video tours. Unlike static images or linear video walkthroughs, Matterport Virtual Tours allow users to explore a space virtually, providing a realistic and navigable environment with accurate spatial representation and the ability to zoom in on details.
Can interactive components, such as multimedia content or annotations, be incorporated into a Matterport Virtual Tour?
Yes, Matterport Virtual Tours can incorporate interactive elements, such as basic annotations or MatterTags. MatterTags are custom labels placed throughout the tour that provide additional information, multimedia content, or links to external resources. These features enhance the user experience by making it more engaging and informative.
How can a Matterport Virtual Tour enhance my business's online presence and search engine rankings?
A Matterport Virtual Tour can boost your business’s online presence and search engine rankings by offering high-quality, interactive content that engages and retains users. This increased engagement can result in longer session durations and lower bounce rates, both of which are positive signals to search engines. Additionally, virtual tours can be easily shared on social media, driving more traffic to your website.
Are there any ongoing subscription fees or maintenance costs related to hosting a Matterport Virtual Tour?
Yes, there are ongoing subscription fees for hosting a Matterport Virtual Tour on the Matterport Cloud platform. Additionally, you may need to periodically update your virtual tour to reflect changes in your space or to add new interactive elements, which could incur extra costs.
How secure is the data privacy and intellectual property protection for Matterport Virtual Tours?
Matterport Virtual Tours offer robust data privacy and intellectual property protection. The Matterport platform employs industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard data transmitted and stored on its servers. You retain ownership of your virtual tour content, and Matterport provides options to control access, including password protection and domain restrictions.
Is it possible to create floor plans and measurements using a Matterport Virtual Tour?
Yes, Matterport’s advanced technology allows for the generation of accurate floor plans and measurements directly from a Matterport Virtual Tour. These detailed dimensions are useful for space planning, property listings, and other purposes requiring precise measurements of a space.
Can Matterport Virtual Tours be viewed with virtual reality (VR) headsets for a more immersive experience?
Yes, Matterport Virtual Tours are compatible with VR headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Samsung Gear VR, offering an even more immersive and engaging experience. Using the Matterport VR app, users can view virtual tours in VR mode, allowing them to step inside and explore the 3D environment as if they were physically present.
Can my business use Matterport Virtual Tours for training or onboarding purposes?
Yes, Matterport Virtual Tours are an effective tool for training and onboarding. They offer a realistic and interactive representation of a space that employees can explore at their own pace. By adding annotations, multimedia content, or guided walkthroughs, businesses can create informative and engaging training materials that can be accessed remotely on various devices.
How does the image quality of a Matterport Virtual Tour compare to traditional photography or video?
The image quality of a Matterport Virtual Tour is comparable to or even better than traditional photography or video. Matterport’s cameras capture high-resolution, HDR images, providing a realistic and detailed representation of your space. Additionally, the immersive and interactive nature of a virtual tour offers significant advantages over static images or linear video walkthroughs.
What is the difference between a Matterport Virtual Tour and a Google Virtual Tour?
Matterport Virtual Tours and Google Virtual Tours are both interactive 360-degree virtual experiences, but they serve different purposes and offer unique features. Matterport tours provide advanced options like 3D walkthroughs, dollhouse views, and floor plans, making them ideal for websites, social media, and marketing channels. In contrast, Google Virtual Tours focus on enhancing a business’s online presence within the Google ecosystem, such as Google Maps, Google Search, and Google My Business listings, offering simpler navigation and seamless integration with Google services.
What is a Google Virtual Tour, and how is it different from a Matterport Virtual Tour?
A Google Virtual Tour, also known as Business 360 View or Street View Indoors, is an interactive 360-degree tour of your business that appears on Google Maps, Google Search, and your Google My Business listing. While similar to Matterport Virtual Tours, Google Virtual Tours are primarily designed to enhance your business’s online presence within the Google ecosystem.
Do 360 images and virtual tours drive results?

High-quality photos on your business listing can enhance user experience and make it easier for customers to find you. 360-degree tours allow customers to peek inside before they arrive, boosting your online visibility. Here are some impactful statistics:

  • 62% of visitors prefer listings that feature photos of the store interiors.
  • Listings with photos and a virtual tour are twice as likely to generate interest.
  • Complete listings are 78% more likely to be viewed as well-established, fostering trust.
  • On average, 41% of searches for businesses on Google Maps lead to an on-site visit.
  • Listings that include photos and tours motivate customers to make a purchase 29% of the time.
How can a Google Virtual Tour benefit my business?
A Google Virtual Tour can significantly enhance your business by boosting your online visibility and providing potential customers with an immersive and interactive way to explore your space. This can improve your search engine rankings and increase engagement with your Google My Business listing. Ultimately, this leads to more inquiries, bookings, or sales.
Is there a recurring fee for hosting a Google Virtual Tour?
No, there is no recurring fee for hosting a Google Virtual Tour. Once your tour is created and published, it is hosted on Google Maps and your Google My Business listing without any additional cost.
How do I add a Google Virtual Tour to my Google My Business listing?
To add a Google Virtual Tour to your Google My Business listing, either you or a Google Trusted Photographer need to upload the tour using the Google Street View app or another approved publishing tool. After uploading, the tour will automatically be displayed on your listing, as well as on Google Maps and Google Search.
Can I embed a Google Virtual Tour on my website or share it on social media?
Yes, you can embed a Google Virtual Tour on your website either by using an iframe or the Google Maps API. Additionally, you can share your virtual tour on social media platforms by sharing a direct link to the tour from Google Maps.
What types of businesses can benefit from a Google Virtual Tour?
Google Virtual Tours are a powerful tool for enhancing visibility and drawing potential customers through an immersive online experience, benefiting a broad range of businesses. Gyms, spas, and health clubs can give a virtual showcase of their facilities and relaxing environments, enticing potential clients. Showrooms for automotive, furniture, or luxury goods enable customers to virtually explore product offerings and layouts in detailed 3D, which can influence purchasing decisions. Bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues can attract diners and guests by highlighting their dining areas, décor, and ambiance. Nurseries and play centers offer parents the chance to evaluate safety features and facilities remotely, providing peace of mind. Museums can reach a global audience by making their exhibits accessible online, engaging culture enthusiasts everywhere. Retail shops benefit from virtual tours by displaying their merchandise arrangements and store designs, attracting customers who prefer to explore online first. Manufacturing premises can build trust by showcasing their operational strengths and compliance with safety standards. Medical centers use virtual tours to reassure potential patients with views of their clean, well-equipped facilities. Hotels and resorts allow potential guests to tour rooms and amenities virtually, aiding in their decision-making process. By integrating Google Virtual Tours, these businesses can not only boost their online presence but also improve search engine rankings, enhance customer engagement, and increase on-site visits, effectively converting online interest into real-world traffic and patronage.
Can I update or change my Google Virtual Tour once it's published?
Yes, you can update or change your Google Virtual Tour after it’s published. This can be done by reshooting the panoramic images and re-uploading the updated tour, or by requesting the removal of specific images using the “Report a Problem” feature on Google Maps. It’s important to consider any changes in your space or business offerings when deciding to update your virtual tour.
How long does it take to create and publish a Google Virtual Tour?
The time required to create and publish a Google Virtual Tour varies depending on the size and complexity of your space. Typically, capturing the images can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. After that, the processing and publishing of the tour might take from a few days up to a week.
How does a Google Virtual Tour affect my business's search engine ranking?
A Google Virtual Tour can enhance your business’s search engine ranking by boosting engagement with your Google My Business listing. It provides high-quality visual content and showcases your space in an interactive format. This heightened engagement can signal to Google that your business is relevant and valuable, potentially improving your placement in search results.
Can I include interactive elements, such as hotspots or annotations, in a Google Virtual Tour?
Google Virtual Tours do not inherently support interactive elements like hotspots or annotations within the tour itself. However, you can incorporate these features by using custom code or third-party tools when embedding the tour on your website. This enhancement allows users to access additional information and interact more deeply with your space.
What is the image quality of a Google Virtual Tour compared to traditional photography or video?
The image quality of a Google Virtual Tour is typically high, offering users a clear and detailed perspective of your space. However, it may not match the crispness or vibrancy of traditional photography or video, particularly if created with lower-end 360-degree cameras. Employing a Google Trusted Photographer can help achieve the highest possible image quality for your virtual tour.