Table Of Contents
These are the Types of Photos You Can Add
There are several types of photos you can add to your Business Profile:
- Logo: Help your customers recognize your business on Google. For businesses that have their basic information, such as a phone number or hours of operation, the Business Profile highlights the logo.
- Cover photo: Set a cover photo at the top of your profile that best represents your business. In some instances, this action doesn’t guarantee the cover photo will show up as the first image for your business.
- Business photos: Add different photos to highlight features of your business to attract and inform customers.
Your business will look best on Google if you add category-specific photos. These photos spotlight features of your business that your customers use when making purchasing decisions. Photos you add can also help differentiate your business on Google.
What Google Says About Adding Photos in GMB Profile
Learn more about adding photos to your local business on Google
Types of business-specific photos
Type | How To | Mistakes to Avoid | Comment |
Interior photos with customers | Capture interior photos with customers by using natural light and ensuring their consent for images. | Avoid cluttered spaces, poor lighting, and capturing customers without permission; it affects professionalism and privacy. | Including customers in your interior photos adds authenticity and engagement, showcasing real-life experiences and enhancing your business’s relatability. |
Interior photos with business name | Photograph interiors with clear signage featuring your business name to highlight branding and ensure visibility. | Avoid using low-resolution images, distracting backgrounds, and improper lighting; these undermine your branding and professionalism. | Incorporating your business name in interior photos with high-quality images enhances brand visibility and establishes a strong visual identity. |
Exterior photos with business name | Capture exterior photos with the office name board clearly visible in good sunlight to highlight branding and enhance visibility. | Avoid shooting in harsh light, avoid cluttered street with too many vehicles. | |
| Monochrome photos | Stand out, shoot monochrome photos with high contrast and clear composition to emphasize details and create a timeless look. | Avoid flat lighting, low contrast, and busy backgrounds; these can make monochrome photos look dull and unappealing. | |
| Customers with your products | Photograph customers with your products by capturing genuine interactions and ensuring clear, well-lit shots that highlight both the product and the customer. | Avoid staged or awkward poses, poor lighting, and cluttered backgrounds. | Showing customers with your products adds credibility and relatability, creating a compelling visual narrative that resonates with potential buyers. |
| Employees and Teams | Avoid formal, stiff poses, poor lighting, and unkempt backgrounds; these can diminish the warmth and approachability of your team. | ||
| Owner photos | Take regular photos or selfies of yourself while working at your desk or interacting with customers. Use natural light and a clean background to capture genuine moments that reflect your daily business life. | Avoid stiff poses, using your phone’s flash, and cluttered workspaces; these can make the photos look unnatural and less professional. | Real, well-lit photos of you in action build trust and showcase your hands-on involvement, making your business more relatable and welcoming. |
| Photo enhance tools | Adobe, Google Photos or tools mentioned below can help to adjust lighting, sharpness, and color balance, making your images look professional and polished | Avoid over-editing, using excessive filters, or altering images too much |
Example of interior photo with customers
Example of interior photo with business name visible
Example of Exterior Photo With Office Name Board Clearly Visible in Good Sunlight
Exterior street view photo
Purposeful vs Random GMB Photos
GMB photos act as a magnet, drawing potential customers closer by showcasing the unique aspects of your business. When you’re uploading new Google My Business photos, you’re not just filling space; you’re providing a window into the atmosphere of your business. High-quality photos invite viewers to imagine themselves engaging with your products or services, making them more likely to convert into customers.
To maximize the impact, make sure you’re showcasing all the different facets of your business. From the welcoming exterior that beckons customers inside, to the interior shots that capture the essence of your business’s atmosphere, variety in photos plays a pivotal role. It’s about more than just displaying your products; it’s about conveying the experience customers can expect.
Photo Quality and SEO
High-quality images on your profile not only captivate potential customers but also greatly boost your SEO, making your business more visible in local searches. When you upload photos to your Google My Business (GMB) profile, you’re not just decorating your business listings; you’re actively engaging with potential clients through visual storytelling. High-quality photos are pivotal because they encourage user engagement, which in return, signals to Google that your business is relevant and valuable. This increased engagement can lead to better rankings in local search results.
Photos play a significant role in SEO for several reasons. First, optimized images with descriptive filenames and relevant metadata can help Google understand what your business offers, enhancing your visibility for specific queries. Additionally, original, well-lit photos are more likely to be shared and interacted with, further increasing your online visibility.
Professional Vs Relatable Images
Investing in professional images for your Google My Business profile can greatly increase clicks and direction requests, making it an important step in enhancing your online presence. Uploading high-quality, professional images not only showcases your business in the best light but also builds trust with potential clients browsing through business listings. Remember, your Google Business Profile acts as a first impression for many customers, so it’s crucial to make it count.
When you upload professional images, you’re telling your story visually. Customers and potential clients get a glimpse of what to expect when engaging with your business. Whether it’s the ambiance of your location, the quality of your products, or the professionalism of your team, these images speak volumes. Regularly updating your profile with fresh, professional photos can have a significant impact on how your business is perceived.
A better effort put into your Google Business Profile through professional images can result in higher engagement rate. It’s not just about having photos; it’s about having the right photos that accurately represent your business. This strategic approach ensures your business stands out and attracts more customers.
Impact on User Engagement
Incorporating photos into your Google My Business profile can greatly enhance user engagement, with listings featuring images receiving 42% more requests for directions. When you add high-quality images, you’re not just filling space; you’re greatly improving the user’s experience. Visual content is crucial to attracting attention, and for local businesses, this means your GMB profiles become a powerful tool in drawing potential customers closer.
You’ll see a 35% increase in clicks to your website as a result, proving that visual appeal directly translates to user interaction. It’s not just about getting noticed; it’s about building a connection. By showcasing your business through various photos, you’re giving users a glimpse into what you offer, making them more likely to contemplate you over competitors.
Optimizing for AI Recognition
To effectively boost your GMB profile’s visibility, you’ll need to optimize your photos for AI recognition by ensuring they’re original, detailed, and relevant. This step is essential for your business as Google’s AI prefers high-quality images that stand out from generic stock photos. By focusing on originality, you’re not just enhancing user engagement but also making it easier for the AI to recognize and categorize your business accurately.
When you upload photos to your GMB profile, consider the SEO best practices that align with AI recognition. Use descriptive filenames, incorporate alt text, and even geotags to give your images an SEO boost. This isn’t just about making your photos discoverable; it’s about signaling to Google’s AI that your business is active and relevant. Regular updates with fresh, high-quality photos further signal this activity, improving your profile’s ranking and visibility.
GMB Profile Photo and Video Requirements
Before adding photos or videos to your GMB profile, make sure they meet Google’s specific requirements, including formats like JPG or PNG and file sizes between 10 KB and 5 MB. This guarantees that your images look sharp and professional on your listings, enhancing the overall appearance of your profile.
When you’re selecting images to use, remember that Google values authenticity. Choose photos that accurately represent your business to build trust with your audience. Avoid using stock images as they don’t convey the genuine essence of your business. Instead, opt for original photos that showcase your premises, products, or services in the best light. This not only adheres to Google’s specifications but also makes your profile more appealing to potential customers.
Moreover, regularly updating your photos can have a significant impact on how your business is perceived online. Fresh, high-quality images keep your listings engaging and can help attract more attention from potential clients. It’s recommended to add new photos weekly to maintain interest and show that your business is active.
Google Guidelines and Best Practices for GMB Photos
Following Google’s guidelines for GMB photos ensures that your business’s online presentation is both essential and engaging. Adhering to these best practices guarantees your images are high-quality and effective in attracting potential customers. To begin with, Google recommends using images with a minimum resolution of 720 px tall to guarantee clarity. This specification ensures your photos look sharp and inviting across all devices.
Moreover, incorporating user-generated content alongside your professional shots adds authenticity and local relevance to your profile. It’s a way to demonstrate real-life experiences at your establishment, making it relatable to potential customers. However, make sure this content complies with Google’s guidelines to maintain a professional online presence.
To maximize the impact of your photos, they should be well-lit and in focus. This fundamental principle of photography goes a long way in depicting the true essence of your business. Remember, the resolution px tall of your images plays an essential role in how they’re perceived online. Low-quality images can deter potential customers, while high-resolution images invite engagement.
Which Tools Help Unblur Photos?
Save this list of tools to fix your blurred photos.
- Adobe – https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/unblur
- Google Photos – https://store.google.com/intl/en/ideas/articles/magic-eraser-and-photo-unblur/
- Fotor – https://www.fotor.com/features/unblur-image/
- Picsart – https://picsart.com/ai-image-enhancer/unblur/
- Picwish – https://picwish.com/unblur-image-portrait
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Adding Photos to Google Business Profile Help?
Yes, adding photos to your Google Business Profile greatly helps. It boosts clicks, increases direction requests by 42%, and makes your business 60% more appealing to consumers looking for local services. High-quality images build credibility and attract engagement.
How Many Photos Should You Have on Your Google Business Profile?
You might think uploading lots of photos to your Google Business Profile is overkill, but in reality, having over 100 images greatly enhances customer engagement and conversion rates. So, go ahead and upload generously!
Should I Include Pictures in My Business Plan?
Yes, you should include pictures in your business plan. They attract more clicks, increase requests for directions, and make customers more likely to contemplate your business, building credibility and showcasing your products and services effectively.
Should I hire a photographer to get photoshoots for my Google Business Profile?
Are Google My Business Posts Effective?
Yes, Google My Business posts are effective. They drive more website visits and calls, engage users, and increase views when you post weekly. Including images boosts engagement further, making it a smart strategy for your business.
GMB Profile Photo Sizes
Make sure your photos and videos follow Google’s guidelines and requirements, and comply with Google’s content policy.
Photo guidelines
Your photos look best on Google if they meet the following standards:
- Format: JPG or PNG.
- Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB.
- Recommended resolution: 720 px tall, 720 px wide.
- Minimum resolution: 250 px tall, 250 px wide.
- Quality: The photo should be in focus and well lit, and have no significant alterations or excessive use of filters. In other words, the image should represent reality.
GMB Profile Video Sizes
Make sure your videos meet the following requirements:
- Duration: Up to 30 seconds long
- File size: Up to 75 MB
- Resolution: 720p or higher
In the digital garden of your Google My Business profile, photos are the blossoms that catch the eye and lure in the bees—your potential customers. Just as a well-tended garden thrives, so does a GMB profile enriched with vibrant, high-quality images. By nurturing these visual blooms with care, ensuring they’re fresh and reflective of your brand, you’re not just enhancing aesthetics; you’re cultivating trust and engagement. Remember, in this digital landscape, your visuals are the seeds of your brand’s growth
With 15+ years of experience in custom SaaS development, product, management focused on digital media and multi-platform customer experience. Over the last 10 years, I have established 4 successful businesses and managed 100+ people between the four businesses.
