How to Upload Photos in Google My Business

A picture on your Google Business Profile is often the first visual impression a potential customer has of your brand. Uploading the right ones consistently is one of the most effective local marketing moves you can make. This guide walks you through how to upload photos, the types of images that will get you the best results, and the simple best practices to turn your profile into a customer-attracting tool.

Why Your Google Business Profile Photos Are So Important

Think of your Google Business Profile (GBP) as your digital storefront. When a local customer searches for "coffee shop near me" or "plumber in Austin," the search results they see are packed with images. Profiles with a variety of high-quality photos consistently get more clicks, more calls, and more direction requests than those with few or no images.

But it goes deeper than just getting a click. Photos:

• Build Instant Trust: A profile with real pictures of the location, the team, and the products feels legitimate. It shows you're a real business, run by real people, fostering trust before a customer even visits.
• Answer Questions Visually: What's the vibe of your restaurant? Is your storefront easy to spot? Photos answer these questions faster and more effectively than any text description. They set expectations and help customers decide if you're their best fit.
• Tell Your Brand Story: Photos convey the personality of your business. Are you a cozy, family-run bookstore or a sleek, modern tech repair shop? Thoughtful photo choices communicate your brand’s story and differentiate you from local competition.

How to Upload Photos to Your Google Business Profile: Step-by-Step

Adding photos to your profile is straightforward, whether you're at your computer or on the go. The desktop interface offers a bit more control, so we recommend starting there whenever possible.

From a Desktop Computer (The Preferred Method)

Using the Business Profile Manager on a desktop is the easiest way to upload and manage your entire photo library.

1. Sign into the Google Account associated with your Business Profile.
2. Search on Google for your exact business name. You may also search for “my business.”
3. In the menu above the search results, click on "Add photo." You may also see an “Edit profile” button, which also contains the photo options.
4. You'll be prompted to select a photo type (Photo, Logo, or Cover photo). Choose the appropriate category.
5. Drag your photos into the upload window or click "Select photos from your computer" to browse your files.
6. Wait for the photos to upload. It may take from a few minutes to 24 hours for them to be reviewed and appear on your live profile.

From a Mobile Device (Using the Google Maps App)

Adding photos from your phone is great for capturing in-the-moment shots, like a new product arrival or a special event.

1. Open the Google Maps app on your phone and ensure you're logged into the correct Google Account.
2. Tap the "Business" tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. If you manage multiple profiles, select the one you want to update.
4. In your business dashboard, tap the "Add a photo" button. You can also tap "Edit profile" and select "Photo".
5. Grant access to your photo gallery if prompted.
6. Select an existing photo from your phone's library or take a new one directly through the app. It's a fantastic way to quickly upload authentic, behind-the-scenes content.

Not All Photos Are Created Equal: Key GBP Photo Categories

To get the most out of your profile, you need more than just one or two pictures. A robust gallery should include a strategic mix of photo types, each serving a specific purpose.

The Essentials: Logo and Cover Photo

• Logo: This is your brand's calling card. Google uses your logo to identify your business across its network, especially when you respond to customer reviews. A clear, high-resolution logo makes your profile look professional. Use a square photo, ideally 250 x 250 pixels or larger.
• Cover Photo: This is your hero shot. Your cover photo is the image Google is most likely to display prominently. It should be a compelling, high-quality photograph that best represents your business. For a restaurant, it might be a beautiful food spread. For a retail shop, it might be a wide shot of your curated interior. Use a horizontal image, ideally around 1080 x 608 pixels.

Showcasing Your Business: Categories That Build Trust

• Exterior Photos: Upload at least 3-4 photos of your business's exterior from different angles and at different times of day. This helps customers recognize your storefront. Include snaps of the entrance, signage, and a wider view that shows the building in context.
• Interior Photos: Give customers a tour before they arrive. Showcase your decor, seating, merchandise displays, and general ambiance. Let them imagine themselves in your space.
• Product Photos: If you sell physical goods, this is non-negotiable. Post clean, well-lit photos of your most popular products. Show them in use or displayed attractively. This section acts as a free, high-visibility product catalog.
• Team/Action Photos: Humanize your business! Show your team in their element - whether that's a barista crafting a latte, a mechanic working on a car, or your office staff collaborating. Action shots are more engaging than stale, staged photos. Adding pictures of your staff helps build a personal connection.
• Videos: Don't forget video! You can upload short videos (up to 30 seconds). A quick walkthrough, a product demonstration, or a message from the owner can be powerful for connecting with customers.

Best Practices: Optimizing Your Photos for Maximum Impact

Uploading photos is one thing. Uploading them in a way that helps your local SEO and genuinely attracts customers is another. Follow these tips for the best results.

• Quality Over Everything: Your photos must be clear, well-lit, and in focus. Blurry or pixelated images make your business look unprofessional. You don't need a high-end camera - modern smartphones work great.
• Be Authentic: While one or two professional photos are great, customers crave authenticity. Avoid sterile stock photos. An amateur but genuine photo of your team laughing is more effective than a generic stock image.
• Get the Specs Right: Google prefers JPG or PNG files. Keep the file size between 10 KB and 5 MB. A good starting point is a resolution of at least 720 x 720 pixels.
• Rename Your Image Files: Change the file name from something generic like `IMG_8432.JPG` to something descriptive. For a bakery in Boston, a filename like `fresh-blueberry-scones-boston-bakery.jpg` includes relevant keywords and location information.
• Add Geotags (Optional but Recommended): Geotagging embeds geographical metadata directly into your image file. This reinforces your business’s physical location to Google. You can use free online tools like GeoImgr or use your smartphone's location services when you take the photo.
• Keep Your Gallery Fresh: Aim to add new photos every week or two. This activity sends positive signals to Google that your profile is actively managed and up-to-date.
• Leverage Google Posts: Creating Google Posts with an eye-catching photo is another way to add fresh, timely imagery. Promote a sale, announce an event, or highlight a featured product.

Common Sticking Points: What to Do If Your Photos Aren't Showing Up

Sometimes you upload a photo, and it seems to vanish. Don't panic. There's usually a simple explanation.

• Give it Time: Newly uploaded photos go through an approval process. It can take from a few minutes to 24 hours for a photo to appear on your profile.
• Check for Policy Violations: Your photo might have been rejected. Make sure it doesn't contain excessive text overlays, stock imagery, or anything violating Google’s photo guidelines.
• Review the File Format and Size: Double-check that your image meets the technical requirements (JPG/PNG, under 5 MB). A file that's too large or in the wrong format won't be processed.
• Confirm Your Profile Is Verified: Photos and other edit functions work best on a fully verified Business Profile. If your profile is pending verification, that could cause a delay.

If you've checked all these boxes and your photos still aren't appearing, try uploading them from a different device or browser. As a last resort, you can reach out to the Google Business Profile support team for help.

Final Thoughts

Getting your photos right on your Google Business Profile isn't a one-time task, it's a small but powerful piece of your ongoing local marketing strategy. By consistently adding fresh, high-quality, and authentic images across different categories, you’re not just optimizing for an algorithm - you're building a genuine connection with your community.

Keeping your Google Profile fresh with photos feels similar to managing your visuals across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok - consistency is key. That’s why at Postbase, we designed our platform to make managing your entire visual content calendar feel organized and simple. With our visual planner, you can schedule all your posts and short-form video across your social channels from one place, ensuring your brand looks its best everywhere your customers engage with you online.