September 28, 2026
Google Business Profile Photos: A Practical Upload Checklist
Guidance checked on 28 September 2026.
Before a first visit, a customer may use your photos to decide which entrance to approach or what the space feels like. Treat a photo update as a check on customer expectations: show the business people will actually find, then verify the public result.
Choose photos that answer a visitor’s question
Google recommends business-specific images, including exterior views that help visitors recognize the premises, interiors that reflect the customer experience, and representative products or services. Choose the categories relevant to your business. [1]
Our suggested starting point is a short list of unanswered visitor questions. Can someone recognize the entrance? Does the current layout match the images? Does the product shown still represent what you offer?
Prepare a small, accurate selection
Ask the person responsible for the location to check each proposed image. Keep an internal note of when it was taken and what it is intended to show. This makes later updates easier after a move or refurbishment.
Use this planning note, replacing the placeholders:
Image: [filename]. Location: [branch]. Taken: [date]. Shows: [entrance, room or offering]. Checked by: [responsible person]. Recheck when: [relevant change].
Take a new photo if the old one no longer describes the premises or offering. A clear, ordinary photograph of the real space is more useful for this purpose than a polished image that creates the wrong expectation.
Check the image and permission to publish
Google’s content policy applies to submitted and published photos and videos, and the uploader remains responsible for compliance with applicable laws. [2] As a practical check, confirm permission to publish and inspect the frame for customer paperwork, screens or other information that should not be public.
Check quality, then upload and review status
Google calls for focused, well-lit photos without major alterations or excessive filters or AI. Its guidance lists JPG or PNG, a file size between 10 KB and 5 MB, and a recommended resolution of 720 by 720 pixels. The image should represent reality. [1]
A verified profile is required for media to appear. On a computer, find the business in Search or Maps, then choose Photos and Add photos. Google distinguishes pending, not approved and live media; pending or unapproved items are not visible to customers. Selecting a cover photo does not guarantee it will be shown first. [3]
Finish with a public-view check
- Check the correct business location in Search and Maps after the image is live.
- Inspect the displayed image on a phone and a computer for important details that are hard to see.
- Confirm that the image still matches the real entrance, interior or offering.
- Record the check and assign someone to review photos after material changes to the business.
If an image is not approved, review its status and the linked policies before deciding what to change. Keep the goal practical: accurate information for a visitor. A photo checklist is not a promise of a particular ranking, review score or approval outcome.
See how to choose owner or manager access for your profile