Your Google Business Profile is a great way to reach your audience and tell your story online using photos and videos, but are you getting the most out of it? In today’s Tech News Tuesday episode we’re talking about what images Google is looking for and why Google might not approve the photos you post.
Follow Google Guidelines
It’s important to follow Google’s policy guidelines or your posts may be rejected and removed from Google Maps and Google Search. They recently updated these guidelines regarding what they consider spam posts.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Images for Google Business Profile Posts
New wording in the things to avoid section adds these examples of content that is not allowed, “including duplicate photos, posts, videos, and logos.” This includes stock photos, so if you’ve been using those, your posts may now be rejected. Stock photos are considered duplicate content because those same photos are found in lots of different places on the web.
If you have a lot of text on your photos, like what you might do with a quote, testimonial or announcement in a social media post, those may be rejected, as well. To stay within the guidelines, the text shouldn’t cover more than ten percent of your picture.
What’s a Shelfie?
When taking the time to make the content, make sure you pay attention to what’s allowed. One thing you can do, and this is encouraged by Google, is to use your smartphone and take shelfies. Yes, you read that correctly, shelfies, not selfies. These are the pictures of the products in your business on the shelf, and this is where Google and your potential customers could get a really solid idea of what your business looks like and the range of products that you’re offering.
A best practice here would be to upload a new shelfie to your main photos set on your listings two to three times a month, since Google likes a steady drip rather than a flood of information.
The bottom line is this. Revised Google guidelines may be causing your recent post rejections. Use your own photos of your own products and your business, and post consistently over time. Like all other aspects of digital marketing, remember that consistency builds traction.
Links in this episode: Google updates Business Profile posts spam policies
Shelfies: Why and Where Local Businesses Should Publish Them
Why is Google Rejecting My Google Business Profile Photos?
Your Questions About Google Business Profiles
