Google Business Profile Photo Guide

Quick Answer Google Business Profile photos should be at least 720x720 pixels, JPEG or PNG, 10KB-5MB. Upload a cover photo (16:9), logo (1:1 square), at least 3 exterior photos, 3 interior photos, 3 product/service photos, and team photos. Businesses with 100+ photos get 520% more calls than those with fewer than 10.

Photo Types and Sizes

Google Business Profile supports multiple photo categories. Each serves a different purpose in building trust with potential customers. Minimum resolution: 720 x 720 pixels. Recommended: 1080 x 1080 or larger. File size: 10KB to 5MB. Formats: JPEG or PNG. Google reports that businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website than those without. More photos = more engagement. Photo categories: Cover photo (the large banner image), Logo, Exterior, Interior, Product/service, Team, and At work (action shots). Google may also auto-assign customer-uploaded photos to your profile. Upload frequency matters. Google favors active profiles. Adding 1-2 new photos per week signals an active, maintained business. This positively influences local search ranking.

Upload at least 10+ photos

Cover every category: exterior, interior, products, team. Businesses with more photos rank higher.

720x720 minimum

Larger is better. 1080x1080 or above for the sharpest display across all devices.

Add new photos regularly

1-2 photos per week signals an active business. Update seasonally.

Cover Photo and Logo

The cover photo is the large banner image displayed prominently on your Google Business Profile. It's often the first image potential customers see. Cover photo: 16:9 aspect ratio, recommended 1332 x 750 pixels. It should represent your business at its best: the storefront, a signature product, the dining room filled with happy customers, or your team at work. Logo: square format, 250 x 250 minimum, 720 x 720 recommended. This appears in Google Maps, search results, and next to your reviews. For most businesses, use the same logo as your website and social media for brand consistency. Google may not always display your chosen cover photo as the primary image. The algorithm selects the photo it considers most relevant. Upload multiple high-quality photos to increase the chances of the best one being featured.

Cover at 1332x750

16:9 landscape. Show the best representation of your business: storefront, signature product, or team.

Logo at 720x720

Square format. Simple, high-contrast logo that's readable at small sizes in Maps and search.

Upload multiple options

Google may auto-select. Give it several great options to choose from.

Exterior Photos

Exterior photos help customers find your physical location. Upload at least 3 exterior photos from different approaches. Include: the main entrance, your business signage, the building from across the street, and parking areas. Photograph from the direction most customers approach. Shoot during business hours with the lights on and door open (if applicable). A closed, dark-looking business in photos discourages visits. Day and night shots both have value. Daytime shows the full exterior clearly. Evening shots with interior lighting visible feel inviting and show that you're actually open and active. Seasonal updates: update exterior photos seasonally if your business has holiday decorations, outdoor seating, or seasonal displays.

3+ exterior angles

Main entrance, street view, signage, parking. Photograph from the direction customers approach.

Shoot during business hours

Lights on, doors open. The business should look welcoming and active.

Include street context

Show enough of the surroundings that someone driving by could find you.

Interior Photos

Interior photos show customers what to expect when they walk in. They build familiarity and reduce the anxiety of visiting a new place. Upload at least 3 interior photos: the main service/dining area, any special features (bar area, consultation room, waiting area), and the overall atmosphere. Lighting is critical. Interior photos often look darker than real life. Use wide-angle shots and ensure the space is well-lit when photographing. Bracket exposures and use HDR for the best results. Capture the atmosphere, not just the space. A restaurant should show the ambiance: lit candles, set tables, warm lighting. A gym should show equipment in use. A salon should show the styling stations with good lighting.

3+ interior views

Main space, special features, and atmosphere. Show what customers experience.

Light the space well

Turn on all lights, open blinds. Use HDR or bracketing for even exposure.

Show atmosphere, not just space

Set tables, lit candles, equipment in use. Make the space feel alive and inviting.

Product and Team Photos

Product and service photos show what customers can expect to purchase or experience. Upload your best work, signature products, or most popular services. For restaurants: photograph your most popular and photogenic dishes. Use food photography lighting (sidelight from a window). Update seasonally when the menu changes. For service businesses: show the service in action. A barber cutting hair, a mechanic working on a car, a dentist with a patient (with permission). Action shots build trust. Team photos humanize the business. Group shots and individual headshots of staff members make customers feel they already know who they'll meet. Professional but friendly headshots work best. Label your photos properly when uploading. Google uses photo categories to display them in the right context on your profile.

Photograph your best products/services

Signature dishes, best work samples, most popular services. This is your visual portfolio.

Show the team

Group shots and individual headshots. Professional but approachable. Humanize your business.

Label and categorize

Assign photos to the correct category when uploading: product, team, interior, exterior.

Editing Photos for Google Business

Google Business Profile photos should look professional and represent your business accurately. Minor editing enhances without misrepresenting. For exterior shots: 'Replace the overcast sky with a blue sky' makes your building look more inviting. 'Remove the dumpster on the side' cleans up the scene. 'Make the photo brighter and more inviting' improves appeal. For interior shots: 'Brighten the interior and make it look warm and welcoming' fixes the common dark-interior problem. 'Remove the clutter on the counter' for a cleaner look. For product/food photos: 'Enhance the colors and make the food look appetizing' or 'Clean up the background behind the product display.'

Fix exterior appeal

'Replace overcast sky with blue sky and sunshine' dramatically improves exterior photos.

Brighten interiors

'Make the interior brighter, warmer, and more inviting' fixes dark, unwelcoming-looking spaces.

Clean up details

'Remove clutter' and 'clean up the background' for polished product and service photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many photos should a Google Business Profile have?

At least 10, ideally 30+. Google data shows businesses with 100+ photos get 520% more calls than those with fewer than 10. Cover every category: exterior, interior, products, team, and atmosphere.

What size should Google Business photos be?

720x720 pixels minimum, 1080x1080+ recommended. JPEG or PNG, 10KB-5MB file size. Cover photo should be 1332x750 (16:9). Logo should be square, at least 720x720.

Do Google Business photos affect search ranking?

Yes. Businesses with more photos and regular photo updates rank higher in local search. Google interprets active photo uploading as a signal of an active, well-maintained business.

Can I remove customer-uploaded photos?

You can flag inappropriate customer photos for removal but can't directly remove them. Uploading many high-quality photos of your own ensures the best images are most visible.

How often should I add new photos?

1-2 photos per week is ideal. Regular updates signal activity. Update seasonally, when you add new products, renovate, or host events. Consistent uploads have a measurable positive impact on local ranking.

Should I hire a photographer for my Google Business photos?

For the initial set (cover, exterior, interior), professional photos are worth the investment. For ongoing updates (new products, seasonal changes, team updates), phone photos work fine. Google values quantity and recency alongside quality.

Can I use virtual tours on Google Business?

Yes. Google supports 360-degree virtual tours through the Street View app or certified photographers. Virtual tours significantly increase engagement and time spent on your profile.

Why don't my chosen photos appear as the main image?

Google's algorithm selects the primary display photo based on relevance, quality, and user interaction. You can set a cover photo, but Google may show a different image in Maps or search. Upload many high-quality options to improve the chances.

Need better Google Business photos?

Brighten interiors, fix exteriors, enhance product shots. Upload and describe. Free, no signup.

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