Markers

‘Markers’ in Observv transform photos into dynamic tools for communication and context. By embedding links, videos, or notes directly onto photos, ‘Markers’ provide instant access to essential information where it matters most. 

What are markers?

‘Markers’ are interactive elements placed on photos in Observv, designed to provide additional context or information. They can link to external resources, embed videos, or display notes, making them versatile tools for communication and collaboration.

‘Markers’ are categorized into two types based on their scope and functionality:

Global markers

‘Markers’ are reusable markers that are added to individual properties, or all properties. 

Single-use markers

‘Markers’ are attached to a specific photo and not available for reuse.

‘Markers’ enhance Observv’s ability to capture and share information, ensuring every photo becomes an informative and actionable resource.

Photo Markers Overview

Marker Types

In Observv, photos can be annotated using markers. These markers fall into two main types:

• Single-use markers
  Created directly on a photo and not stored in any marker library. They are not reusable across other photos.
• Reusable (global)  markers
  Stored in a marker library and can be reused across multiple photos and properties. These markers help maintain consistency across photos. 

Reusable Markers

Reusable markers are stored in a marker library and can be applied to multiple photos in all properties. They can only be created and edited by Account Managers or Account Owners, yet global and property content managers and above can deploy them, subject to (1) the markers have been added to the property, and (2) the user has appropriate role permissions. When they are added to photos, the member can edit the appearance, but they cannot edit the content. There is no limit to the number of photos these can be added to. 

The key difference between single-use and reusable markers is reusability. Reusable markers are designed to maintain consistency across photos, properties, or the entire organization.

Marker Visibility

There are 4 Visibility options for markers, defined during creation.

A) Subject to permissions

Everyone with property permissions can see the marker wherever it is used in the property

B) All organization members

Everyone in the organization can see this marker

C) All ObservV users

Anyone with an ObservV account can see this marker (log-in required). This facilitates the markers' use in Tours visible to people outside the organization

D) Public

Anyone can view this marker (no log-in required). This facilitates the markers' use in Tours visible to people outside the organization

Tour Visibility

• Subject to permissions
  Anyone with property permissions can see this tour.
• All organization members
  Everyone in the organization can see this tour
• All ObservV users
  Anyone with an ObservV account can see this tour (log-in required)
• Public
  Anyone can view this tour (no log-in required)

Why Visibility Matters

These permission levels ensure that markers are shared appropriately. For example, if a public tour includes a marker that was originally public but later changed to permission-based, the marker will remain part of the tour but will no longer be visible to public viewers. It will only be visible to users with the required permissions for the property.

This visibility model helps prevent accidental oversharing of sensitive or internal markers and gives organizations control over how and where markers are used.

Deactivated / Scheduled for Deletion

Deleting a library marker is a delayed process—once scheduled for deletion, the marker enters a pending state and may take up to 24 hours to be fully removed from the system. During this period, the marker is hidden from users who do not have editing permissions but remains accessible to content managers and above. This grace period allows for review or recovery before final deletion.

Library markers that are deactivated or pending deletion are only visible to users with editing rights. Restricting visibility in this way helps avoid confusion and ensures that outdated or deprecated markers are not used or referenced by users who are not responsible for managing them.

Marker Styles

Markers stored in the Global Marker Library do not have predefined styles. Styling, such as size, color, or whether the title is shown, is applied when the marker is used in a photo. This allows the marker’s appearance to fit the specific background and context of each photo. The marker library defines the marker’s content, while its visual style is set when the marker is used. As a result, the same reusable marker can appear differently on different photos. The same applies to single-use markers, which are styled individually at the time they are created on a photo.

How To

Edit a Global marker

Deactivate a Global marker

Activate a Global marker

Delete a Global marker

NOTE: Deleting a library marker is a delayed process—once scheduled for deletion, the marker enters a pending state and may take up to 24 hours to be fully removed from the system. During this period, the marker is hidden from users who do not have editing permissions but remains accessible to content managers and above. This grace period allows for review or recovery before final deletion.

Library markers that are pending deletion are only visible to users with editing rights. Restricting visibility in this way helps avoid confusion and ensures that outdated or deprecated markers are not used or referenced by users who are not responsible for managing them.

Import marker to property markers

Create a single-use marker

Edit a single-use marker

Delete a single-use marker

Move a marker