86% of consumers use Google Maps to research local businesses. From Google Maps, consumers can then look at reviews, attributes, and photos featured on your Google My Business (GMB) listings to make decisions about whether to visit. One of GMB’s best features is that it relies on consumer-generated content like reviews and photos to drive more prospective members to your credit union. Unfortunately, this means you can’t always control the content being added to your GMB listings.
Unlike reviews, where you always can respond, you don’t have much control over the featured photos on your GMB listings. Google tries to feature the images that best showcase the type of experience members and prospective members can expect when visiting your credit union. However, this doesn’t always mean the photo you want to be featured will be chosen by Google’s algorithm. Here’s what you can do to take back control of your GMB photos.
The 3 Types Of Google My Business Photos
According to Google, businesses that feature photos on their listings get 42% more driving direction requests than businesses without photos. Here are the three types of photos you can upload to your GMB listing.
- Logo – This will help members and potential members recognize your credit union on Google.
- Cover Photo – By uploading a cover photo, it tells Google you would like this photo to be your preferred image to display on your listing. Uploading a cover photo does not guarantee it will be the first photo, but this photo will tell Google how you would like to showcase your credit union.
- Additional Photos – Add additional photos to help showcase the different features of your credit union.
Types of Additional Photos to Add to your GMB Listing
Google recommends adding a minimum of three of each of the below photo types to your listings. Google outlines a few more types of photos on the website, but the ones included pertain to the financial industry.
- Exterior Photos
- Interior Photos
- Photos at Work
- Photos of Common Areas
- Team Photos
How to Change Google My Business Photos
Now that you know what types of photos you can have on your Google My Business profile, let’s uncover how you actually change your GMB photos. You can do this via desktop or mobile device.
Change Google My Business Photos from Desktop
- Sign in to Google My Business
- Click on the location you want to change if you manage multiple locations
- Click “Photos” from the menu
- Select the type of photo or video you would like to add
- Browse your computer and select the photo or video you’d like to upload
Change Google Business Photos from Mobile
- Open Google My Business app from your mobile phone
- Tap “Home”
- Tap the rainbow “+” icon in the bottom right corner of your screen
- Select the “Add photos” option
- Select the type of photo or video you would like to add
- Browse your camera roll select an image or video. Or take a new picture or video.
- Press the upload button.
Because Google only wants to recommend trustworthy businesses to consumers, businesses that update their content often have a better chance of ranking higher. Google takes active businesses as a sign that their businesses are doing well. If you don’t like the photos Google has chosen to feature on your GMB listing, you’ll want to upload your own photos often. If you would like to have Google take interior, 360, or exterior photos for you, click here to contact them.
If you find that members or potential members are uploading damaging photos of your credit union that violate the Google Maps Photo Guidelines, you can flag them for removal.
How to Flag a Photo on Google My Business For Removal
Desktop
- Sign in to Google My Business.
- If you have multiple locations, open the location you’d like to manage.
- Click Photos from the menu.
- Find the photo you’d like to flag, then click the flag icon in the top right corner.
Mobile
- Open the Google My Business app.
- Tap More, then tap Photos.
- Tap the photo you’d like to flag.
- Tap More (three dots) then tap Report photo.
You can also do this without having to be signed in to your Google My Business account. Simply follow steps 3 and 4 from the mobile app directions to flag a photo without logging in.
If you have multiple branches, it can be hard to keep up with all the photos being added to your profile. CUBrandMonitor can help to monitor and alert you of the content being added to your local business listings or tagged to your social media accounts. This gives you a chance to get ahead of the content being shared about your credit union.
