Google has been pushing increasingly visual local results. Many mobile searches in Maps now open with photo-first carousels that preview dishes, products, and interiors before users ever tap a listing. If your visuals don’t show up—or don’t match intent—you’re already second place.
On top of that, Google can swap a listing’s featured image depending on the query. A restaurant might show a dining-room shot for “date night restaurant” but a takeout photo for “lunch near me.” If your library doesn’t cover key intents, you’ll miss those moments.
And here’s the clincher: consumers trust customer-taken photos when deciding where to go—especially in food & drink, hotels, and beauty. That’s the kind of proof AI overviews and photo-first experiences are pulling into the journey.
Thought-starter: If a stranger only saw your GBP photos—no bio, no reviews—would they still choose you?
Images that match searcher intent (e.g., “patio seating,” “accessible entrance,” “kids’ haircut”) win more taps from photo-first results and carousels. That user engagement is a strong downstream signal.
Geotagging or stuffing EXIF metadata doesn’t improve GBP rankings. Focus on quality and relevance, not myths.
Tailor your library to the questions people actually ask in Maps:
Aim for weekly updates per location (new arrivals, seasonal displays, team highlights). For multi-location brands, a monthly baseline plus local moments works well: corporate ensures consistency; store teams supply the “real life.” This cadence keeps you present in photo-first surfaces where discovery queries (not brand searches) dominate views.
Yes, more photos can correlate with more views/clicks in some studies—but the type and match matter more than raw volume. Prioritize sharp, well-composed images that answer intent. If you’re scaling beyond ~50 photos per location, organize by intent tags (e.g., “patio,” “kid-friendly,” “after-8pm,” “wheelchair access”) so your team fills gaps rather than uploading duplicates. (Avoid chasing “magic numbers.”)
Nope—multiple tests show no ranking benefit. Use your time on better shots and better prompts for customers to upload.
They don’t build trust or match real intent. Show your actual space, team, and product. (Joy Hawkins has documented ranking volatility tied to irrelevant or misleading images.)
GBP’s “Performance” focuses on actions—Calls, Directions, Website Clicks, Messages, Bookings—not just views. Treat photo work like CRO for your listing:
If your photos answer those questions, you’re not just “adding images”—you’re removing friction and winning local demand at the exact moment it appears in Google Maps.