How to Arrange Photos in Google My Business

The first thing a customer sees isn’t always your website - it's often the photos on your Google Business Profile. While you can't simply drag and drop your photos into a perfect order like a social media album, you have significant influence over which images appear first. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set your logo and cover photos, strategically guide Google’s algorithm, and use best practices to create a visual gallery that turns searchers into customers.

Why Can't I Just Rearrange My Photos on Google?

Unlike a social media profile, Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly Google My Business, is a dynamic search tool, not a static gallery. Google’s main goal is to show the most relevant information to a user based on their search query. This principle extends to photos. The order of your images is determined by an algorithm that considers several factors:

• Photo Type: Your Logo and Cover Photo are given top priority. You get to set these, giving you the most direct control over your profile's first impression.
• Recency: Newer photos are often given a temporary boost in visibility, as they signal to Google that your business is active and your information is current.
• Engagement: Photos that get more views are seen by Google as more popular and helpful, so they may be shown more prominently over time.
• Relevance: If someone searches for "restaurants with outdoor seating," Google's AI will scan your photos and may prioritize images it identifies as showing a patio or outdoor area.
• Source: Google-sourced photos (like Street View) and user-generated photos are mixed in with your own business photos to provide a more holistic view.

So, instead of fighting the system, the key is to understand these factors and use them to your advantage. It’s about sending strong signals to Google about which of your photos are the most important and representative.

The Two Photos You Absolutely Control: Logo and Cover Photo

Your logo and cover photo are the two foundational images on your profile. They are the first visuals users associate with your brand and the only two where you can directly tell Google, "Hey, use this!" Make them count.

1. Setting Your Logo

Your logo is the square icon that appears next to your business name on Google Maps and in search results. It’s your profile picture, the single most important image for immediate brand recognition.

How to Set Your Logo:

1. Log into your Google Business Profile Manager.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on "Photos."
3. At the top of the photo page, you’ll see tabs for "Overview," "By owner," and "By customer." Navigate to the "Logo & cover photo" section, often at the very top under the main Photo page, or look for the "Logo" card.
4. Click "Choose photo" and upload your logo file.

Best Practices for Your Logo:

• Keep it Simple and Recognizable: Avoid tiny text or cluttered designs. Your full logo mark or an icon version works best, as it needs to be clear even when displayed as a small thumbnail.
• Use a Square Format: While you can upload a rectangular image, Google will crop it into a circle or square. Start with a square image (a 1:1 aspect ratio, like 1000x1000 pixels) to avoid awkward cropping.
• High Resolution is a Must: A blurry or pixelated logo looks unprofessional. Upload a high-quality JPG or PNG file.

2. Choosing a Powerful Cover Photo

The cover photo is your preferred "hero image" - the large banner photo you want to represent your business at the top of your profile. While Google has the final say and may sometimes show a different photo it deems more relevant, setting a high-quality cover photo is your strongest vote.

How to Set Your Cover Photo:

1. Follow the same steps to get to the "Photos" section of your Profile Manager.
2. Right next to the Logo option, you’ll see "Cover photo."
3. Click "Choose photo" and upload the image you want to represent your business.

Best Practices for Your Cover Photo:

• Go for a Landscape Image: Use a horizontal photo with a 16:9 aspect ratio to best fit the banner space. A high-resolution photo of at least 1080x608 pixels is a good starting point.
• Capture Your Business Essence: This is your chance to set the scene. Good options include:
  • For restaurants/cafes: A wide-angle shot of your beautiful dining room or patio.
  • For retail stores: A clean, well-lit image of your storefront or an inviting product display.
  • For service businesses: Your team in action with a happy client, or a photo of your branded vehicle fleet.
  • For realtors/consultants: A professional headshot or a team photo.
• Ensure it's High-Quality: This photo will often be the largest and most prominent visual. It needs to be sharp, well-composed, and professionally lit.

Strategically Influencing Your Photo Gallery Order

Beyond the logo and cover, you can gently nudge the algorithm to favor certain images. The secret is to think like Google: provide clear, fresh, high-quality, and contextual information.

Upload Your Best Photos Last

This is the oldest trick in the book, and it still works surprisingly well. Because Google often prioritizes newly uploaded photos, you can influence the initial order by managing your upload sequence. If you're uploading a batch of 20 photos, don't start with your absolute best shots. Upload the supporting photos first - the solid, good-quality images of specific details, different angles, etc. Finish the upload session with an "encore" of your top 5-10 "hero" shots that you want users to see first. This gives your best visuals the "recency" boost right out of the gate.

Categorize Your Photos Correctly

Don't just dump all your photos in the general gallery. Sorting them into the correct categories helps Google understand the context of each image. When you upload, Google gives you categories such as:

• Interior: Showcasing the inside of your business.
• Exterior: Helping customers recognize your building from the street.
• At Work: A behind-the-scenes look at your team providing services.
• Team: Photos of your staff that help humanize your brand. Fosters trust by letting them "meet" the team before setting foot in your door.
• Products: For e-commerce businesses to share your product line with potential customers.

When you file a photo in the "Interior" category, you're helping Google show that image to a user specifically looking for what the inside of your business looks like. This is a great way to showcase safety procedures while still being able to serve clients with the quality service they have come to know from your brand.

Use Descriptive Photo Filenames

Before you upload a single image, rename the file. Google's algorithms can read filenames to gain context. Instead of uploading IMG_7432.JPG, rename it to something descriptive and SEO-friendly. This small step adds valuable metadata even if you do it nowhere else.

• Weak Filename: DC1987.jpg
• Strong Filename: sara-jones-realty-team-headshot-denver-co.jpg
• Weak Filename: photo-1.jpg
• Strong Filename: wood-fired-margherita-pizza-joes-pizzeria-brooklyn.jpg

Continuously Add New, High-Quality Photos

A GBP that hasn't had a new photo in six months looks neglected. Fresh content signals to Google (and customers) that your business is active and thriving. Plan to add 1-3 new photos every week or two. This doesn't have to be a massive production. Snap a picture of a new product delivery, a perfectly plated dish during a lunch rush, or your team enjoying a Friday morning meeting. Consistency is more important than volume.

Managing User-Generated Photos and Removing Old Ones

You don't have total control over what customers upload, but you do have options for managing your gallery and keeping it pristine.

Reporting Unwanted Customer Photos

Did a customer upload a blurry, unflattering photo from a bad angle, or a picture of a competitor by mistake? You can’t just delete it, but you can request its removal.

To do this, find the photo and click the flag icon in the corner. You'll be asked to provide a reason for reporting it (e.g., "Poor quality," "Not a photo of this place," "Spam"). Google will review your request, but there's no guarantee it will be removed unless it clearly violates their content policies.

Deleting Photos You've Uploaded

Decluttering your own gallery is far simpler. If you have old photos that are low-quality, show former employees, or represent outdated branding, you should remove them.

1. Go to the "Photos" section in your GBP Manager.
2. Click on the "By owner" tab.
3. Select the photo you want to delete.
4. Click the trash can icon in the top-right corner. It's that simple!

Best Practices for Photos That Convert

• Showcase Realness: While professional photos are great, don't shy away from authentic, "in the moment" shots of your team at work, customers enjoying your offerings (with permission!), or your physical products in use.
• Mind the Quality: Every image must be well-lit and in focus. Dark, blurry photos are worse than no photos at all. Take advantage of natural light whenever possible.
• Capture the Ambiance: Use photos to communicate the vibe of your business. Cozy? Modern? Funky? Family-friendly? The right images can convey your brand's personality before a customer ever steps inside.
• Highlight Key Features: Do you have free Wi-Fi, accessible parking, or a kid's play area? Take clear photos of these key differentiators and add them to the gallery.

Final Thoughts

Successfully arranging your Google Business Profile photos is less about direct control and more about strategic influence. By setting a strong logo and cover image, consistently uploading fresh and relevant content, and removing anything outdated, you give Google all the right signals to present your business in the best possible light.

Putting together an engaging profile is so much more fun when you have a consistent flow of content. This strategy extends to your social media presence, where visuals are just as impactful! When we built Postbase, we focused on creating one beautiful visual calendar to plan and view everything at once. Having the ability to see and schedule all of your content across all platforms not only saves us an immense amount of headspace, it ensures our branding remains consistent everywhere from our social media platforms to Google Maps.