The Ultimate Google Business Profile Image Guide

Nothing is more important than a customer’s first impression of your business. Today, that first impression often comes from the images on your Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business.

However, due to a lack of time or knowledge, many businesses don’t make the most out of that first interaction. Negative user-generated content, poor photo quality, and outdated images are all frequent problems that can turn off customers who are only one step away from giving your business a shot.

In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of what you as a business can do to make the most out of the different kinds of images on your GBP profile. This includes showing you how to remove photos from Google Business Profile and tips on how to select the best images for your business. This way, you can take back control of your GBP and ensure that customers who find your business decide to take that next step with you. 

The 3 Types of Google Business Profile Photos

On your GBP, not all images serve the same purpose. In fact, broadly speaking, there are three main image types you should know about when it comes to your GBP. 

1. Logo

A high-quality image of your logo is essential for building brand awareness. For logo images, ensure the image is consistently used across all of your listings, not just Google.

2. Cover Photo

A cover photo is the first image people see when they search for your business online through Google Maps or Search.

By uploading a cover photo, it tells Google you would like this photo to be your preferred image to display on your listing. It should be noted that Google sometimes ignores your choice of cover photo. However, if you pick a relevant and well-optimized photo, your preference should be accepted. 

3. Additional Photos 

Add additional photos to help showcase the different features of your business. Google recommends  adding each of the following photo types, depending on your industry:

1. Exterior Photos
2. Interior Photos
3. Product Photos
4. Photos at Work
5. Food and Drink Photos
6. Photos of Common Areas
7. Rooms
8. Team Photos

For each of these additional photo types, Google suggests you should have at least three examples from each category except for common areas, where one should be sufficient.

How to Add Photos to Your Google Business Profile

Now that you know what types of photos you can have on your Google Business Profile, let’s go through how you actually add photos. To do this, you’ll need to have already claimed your listing from Google. If you’ve not done that yet, you can follow these instructions. 

Once your Google listing is claimed and verified, you can add photos through Google Search by following these steps:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account.
2. Find your listing by searching on Google Search.
3. Select “Add photos” on the left-most photo in the panel beside the search.
   
4. Browse your computer and select the photo or video you’d like to upload.

For Google Maps:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account.
2. Find your listing by searching on Google Maps.
3. Scroll to the “Photos & videos” section and click on “Add media.”
   
   
4. Browse your computer and select the photo or video you’d like to upload.
   
   

To specifically add or change your logo or cover photos:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account.
2. Find your listing on Search.
3. Find the “Your business on Google” widget in the search results.
   
   
4. Click on “Add photo” and then select “Logo” or “Cover photo.”
   
   

How to Remove Photos from Google Business Profile

Images you uploaded

You can remove any images or videos you or your team uploaded at any time from your business listing with only a few quick clicks. To do this, simply:

1. Log in to your Business Profile.
2. Find your profile on Google Search.
3. Click anywhere on the first photo on the panel on the right.
4. Select the photo you want to remove.
5. In the top right of the image, click on the trash can icon. 
6. Select “Remove.”

Images customers uploaded

Unfortunately, most customer-submitted images cannot be removed from your profile. The exceptions are images that violate any of Google’s Image Guidelines. 

Some violations include images:

• With copyright materials
• With sexual content
• With violent content
• Of the wrong establishment

If you find that consumers are uploading damaging photos of your business that violate Google’s guidelines, you can flag them for removal by following these steps.

Desktop flagging instructions

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Search for the business location with the image you want to flag.
3. Click on the photo or video you’re flagging. It could be under the photos tab or the reviews tab.
   
   
   Image source
4. Select the three-dots menu in the top-left corner.
5. Click on “Report a problem.”
6. Fill in the form with the reason you’re flagging it and your email address.
7. Click Submit.
   
   

Google Maps App Flagging Instructions

To report a photo or video for removal from the Google Maps app:

1. Open the app with your phone or tablet.
2. Search for your business.
3. Tap on the photo or video you want to report.
4. Select the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
5. Click “Report a problem.”
6. Choose the reason you are flagging the image.
7. Press “Report.”
   
   

How to Optimize Photos on Google Business Profile

If you want to get the most out of your GBP, you don’t just need to add more photos, you need to also add the right ones.

Here are some tips that’ll help you optimize your photos in your local listings.

Use the correct image formats and sizes

Using the correct image size and format for your Google Business Profile is one of the easiest ways to improve your images on GBP.

For every photo you upload to your profile, Google recommends that it meets the following guidelines:

• Format: JPG or PNG.
• File Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB.
• Ideal Image Resolution: 720 px by 720 px.
• Minimum Resolution: 250 px by 250 px.

Google has optimized the experience for users around these sizes and formats. By following their guidelines, you help ensure your photos always look their best, no matter what size display they’re being shown on. 

Plus, by keeping file sizes under 5 MB and using the recommended formats, you make it easier for your images to load faster, improving the user experience. 

Invest in high-quality photography

A well-optimized image isn’t very useful if the image itself isn’t very good. At the most basic level, all of your images should be clear, focused, and an actual representation of what you’re trying to show off.

For instance, if you are taking a photo of your storefront, cleaning it up to make it look its best is a great idea. However, using filters to make it something it’s not is not recommended.

Here are some tips for making sure all of your images look great:

• Take images in good lighting.
• Make sure the subject of the photo is centered and in focus.
• For product images, use simple backgrounds so people’s eyes are drawn to the product itself.
• Use a professional camera for better-quality images.
• Take a variety of photos, including those that focus on products, the building, your team, and happy customers.
• Choose images that showcase what makes your business stand out from the competition.

If photography is not your thing, consider hiring a professional. A one-time fee for professional photographs can be well worth the price in the long run.

Another option is to contact Google to take 360 images of your business.

Frequently update your images

Although the jury is still out about whether frequent image updates help your SEO, it’s still a good idea for businesses to keep their images updated.

Here are just a few reasons why:

• Relevance: Your business and products probably look different than they did a year or two ago. By keeping images updated, you ensure your GBP reflects who you are now.
• Showcasing Sales and Events: Regular updates allow you to highlight current promotions or events.
• Trust: Consistently updated images help you show potential customers that your business is open and engaged online.
• Insights: Experimenting with different images frequently can help you determine what works best for your listing.

To make sure your GBP doesn’t get too outdated, set up a regular schedule for updating photos. This could be as simple as setting a reminder every six months to review your GBP and make any changes that are needed.

Take Back Control of Your Business Images on Google

If you’re a multi-location brand or agency, it can be hard to keep up with all the photos added to your profile. 

Having a local SEO management software like Chatmeter can help monitor and alert you of the content being added to your local business listings or tagged to your social media accounts. This gives you a chance to get ahead of the content being shared about your business. 

If you need help monitoring your local listings, explore the benefits of Chatmeter through our interactive demo. You can also schedule a live demo with us, during which one of our experts will explain how Chatmeter can help your business thrive online and answer any questions