Why is Google Rejecting My Google Business Profile Photos?
Google often rejects business profile photos that don’t meet its strict quality and content guidelines. For Australian businesses, this can be frustrating, but it’s avoidable once you know the main reasons for rejection. For more on profile suspensions and quality flags, see Business Profile Flagged for Quality Issues.
Common reasons for photo rejection:
- Low-quality images: Blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit photos are flagged.
- Stock or AI-generated visuals: Google prioritises original photos over generic ones. Learn how to optimise your business photos.
- Over-edited photos: Heavy filters or unnatural edits lead to rejections.
- Copyright issues: Using unlicensed images can result in rejection and legal risks.
- Improper content: Screenshots, large text overlays, or inappropriate visuals are not allowed.
- Technical non-compliance: Images must meet size, format, and resolution requirements.
For Australian businesses, it’s essential to use locally relevant, original photos that accurately reflect your business. Ensure images are sharp, well-lit, and adhere to Google’s technical specifications. If issues persist, consider consulting Google Maps SEO experts to optimise your profile and avoid further rejections.
Why Does Google Business Profile Reject Your Photos?
Google’s Photo Guidelines Explained
Google’s photo guidelines are designed to uphold quality and authenticity. The images you upload must genuinely represent your business. For Australian businesses, understanding these standards is key to avoiding photo rejections and maintaining a polished online presence. Full guide to photo optimisation.
Show Your Business Accurately
Your photos must reflect what customers will see and experience when visiting your business. This means capturing your actual premises, staff, and products. See examples of effective local business content.
A Melbourne café should only use photos of its own interior, not images from a Sydney restaurant. Similarly, a Brisbane plumbing company should showcase its real work vehicles, tools, and completed projects, rather than generic stock images. This approach builds trust with potential customers by offering a clear and honest representation.
Over-editing is a no-go. While adjusting brightness and contrast is fine, heavy filters or edits that distort reality can trigger rejections. Your photos should look natural, mirroring what customers would see in person.
Banned Content and Restrictions
Google has strict rules about what’s allowed, and violations can result in immediate photo rejection. See in-depth compliance guidelines.
Stock images, AI-generated visuals, screenshots, and photos with excessive promotional elements or inappropriate content are all prohibited.
Stock and AI-generated images are problematic because they fail to represent your unique business. Even high-quality generic visuals are often detected and rejected.
Screenshots from websites, social media, or other platforms are automatically disallowed, as they don’t provide an authentic view of your business. Likewise, photos featuring nudity, offensive symbols, violence, or any inappropriate content will be removed.
Avoid large text overlays, watermarks, or promotional banners. While small branding might be acceptable, anything that distracts from your business can lead to rejection. The focus must remain on your premises, products, or services.
Repeated violations can have serious consequences, including the removal of your photos or even suspension of your business profile. This can harm your online visibility and make it harder for Australian customers to find and trust your business.
Technical Requirements
Google also sets specific technical standards for photos. Meeting these requirements helps avoid automatic rejections. More on technical SEO and audits.
| Photo Type | Recommended Size | Minimum Size | Maximum Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Photo | 1024 x 576 px | 480 x 270 px | 2120 x 1192 px |
| Logo | 250 x 250 px | 120 x 120 px | 5200 x 5300 px |
| Standard Photos | 720 x 720 px | 250 x 250 px | N/A |
Accepted file formats: JPG, JPEG, and PNG.
Other formats like GIF, BMP, or TIFF are not supported. Keep file sizes under 5 MB.
Even technically correct photos can be rejected if they’re blurry or poorly lit. High-quality images must be sharp, well-lit, and clear enough to showcase your business details.
Resolution matters. Photos below minimum dimensions look unprofessional on large screens, while oversized files can slow loading times. Stick to recommended sizes for the best results across devices.
Why Photos Get Rejected: Common Problems
Knowing why Google rejects photos can help you sidestep mistakes that harm your online presence. Google’s systems scan for common issues. For a comprehensive troubleshooting checklist, see Business Profile Flagged for Quality Issues.
Poor Quality or Blurry Images
Blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit photos are often flagged. Australian businesses should prioritise clear, well-lit images that avoid excessive filters or heavy editing. Full photo optimisation guide.
Duplicate or Unrelated Photos
Uploading duplicate photos is a common reason for rejection. Google’s systems spot repetitive content to ensure each profile offers unique visuals.
If you have multiple locations, upload unique interior shots for each, rather than recycling the same image across all profiles.
Using generic stock photos or unrelated visuals misrepresents your business and fails to meet Google’s standards.
Copyright and Legal Problems
Photos violating copyright laws are immediately rejected and could expose your business to legal trouble. Many businesses unknowingly breach copyright by using images found online without proper licences.
For proactive compliance, see how to avoid suspensions.
Avoid adding watermarks or banners covering more than 10% of the image. Large logos or contact details overlaid on the image are not allowed.
Best practice: use original photos taken by your business or hire a professional photographer who can provide licensing documentation.
How to Fix Photo Problems and Meet Google’s Standards
If Google has rejected your photos, don’t panic. There are clear steps to meet their guidelines and improve your chances of approval. By focusing on image quality, technical details, and local relevance, you’ll avoid rejections and make your profile more appealing. Steps to appeal GBP suspension.
Improve Image Quality
- Use sharp, well-lit photos.
- Shoot in natural daylight (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) for outdoors; turn on all lights for indoor shots.
- Use a smartphone with at least a 12MP camera or a digital camera for better clarity.
- Avoid heavy filters or excessive editing. Subtle adjustments (brightness, contrast, colour balance) are enough.
- Take multiple shots for variety.
Meet Technical Requirements
- File size under 5MB.
- JPG or PNG formats only.
- Descriptive filenames (e.g.,
brisbane-cafe-patio-2025.jpg). - Remove embedded location data or personal metadata.
- Upload one at a time, wait for each to process.
Use Local Australian Content
Once your images meet quality and technical standards, make them resonate with an Australian audience.
Include recognisable local elements like landmarks, street signs, or unique architecture to boost your local search visibility. Learn more about hyperlocal SEO for local businesses.
Showcase your business during events like Australia Day, ANZAC Day, or the Melbourne Cup.
Reflect the local lifestyle and seasons—outdoor dining in Brisbane’s winter, or cosy interiors in Melbourne’s colder months.
Highlight your community connection with images of local partnerships or events.
"Local events are a golden opportunity to humanise our brand and illustrate our commitment to the community, fostering lasting relationships with customers." – ProfileTree’s Digital Marketing Team
About 72% of consumers who run a local search visit a business within five miles (eight kilometres) of their location (source). Help them picture the experience by sharing clear photos of your entrance, parking options, and accessibility features.
88% of mobile local searches lead to a call or visit within 24 hours (source), so keep your photos up-to-date and accurate.
How Google Business Profile SEO Experts Help Australian Businesses
When your photos don’t meet Google’s strict guidelines, Google Business Profile SEO experts can step in to fix the problem and improve your profile.
These professionals understand both Google’s photo requirements and the Australian market’s needs. Their expertise ensures your profile stands out with optimised, compliant images.
Local SEO specialists stay up to date with Google’s algorithm changes and policy updates. They also understand unique Australian business challenges, like seasonal trends and local preferences.
This combination of technical skills and local insight makes them essential for businesses facing photo rejections.
Customised Solutions for Australian Businesses
Local SEO professionals offer solutions designed for your business and location. They ensure your photos meet Google’s guidelines and resonate with local audiences, reducing rejection risk and improving your visibility. Learn more about our Local SEO strategy for Perth businesses.
A well-maintained Google Business Profile is key to a strong first impression and staying competitive.
For example, at Search Scope, we specialise in Google My Business optimisation for Australian businesses—analysing your profile, identifying issues, and implementing solutions that align with Google’s requirements and Australian customer expectations.
Our experts help develop a photo strategy, advising on image types, seasonal elements, and how to highlight local aspects that improve rankings. This guidance goes beyond fixing rejected photos—it’s about long-term local search success.
Professional Photo Reviews and Fixes
SEO agencies offer detailed photo review services, making it easier to identify why images might be rejected.
Their photo optimisation covers technical aspects—ensuring correct file format, size requirements, and high quality. They can remove metadata, compress files, and use proper naming conventions for approval.
Beyond technical fixes, they use image SEO techniques—keyword-rich filenames, scaling images for faster loading, and more. This not only improves your profile but can boost your website’s SEO as well.
Many agencies offer ongoing photo management, adding seasonal photos and monitoring for issues to keep your profile fresh and relevant.
Key Steps to Prevent Photo Rejections
Getting your photos approved on Google means following the rules. Use clear, high-quality images that genuinely represent your business and avoid anything that breaches Google’s policies.
Check your photos for resolution, format, and file size. Avoid over-editing or heavy filters. Keep visuals relevant and current.
Adding a local touch helps—feature your storefront or seasonal specials. Localised content connects with both customers and Google’s algorithms.
Stay proactive—update photos regularly, use original on-site images, and if issues persist, consult a local SEO expert for help tailored to your business and market.
Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing customers see. By following these tips and seeking professional help when needed, you’ll create a strong visual presence that appeals to both Google and your audience.
FAQs
How can I make sure my photos meet Google’s standards for my Google Business Profile?
Use clear and sharp images with at least 720px width/height. Avoid blurry or pixelated pictures, and stick to JPG or PNG. Lighting and focus matter.
See full photo optimisation tips.
Why should I use local and original photos instead of stock images on my Google Business Profile?
Local and original photos make a big difference to potential customers—they show your real business, create trust, and foster a community feel.
For more on building trust, read our reputation management workflow guide.
How can local SEO experts help Australian businesses ensure their Google Business Profile photos meet guidelines?
Local SEO specialists help craft Google Business Profile photos that comply and convert. They offer tailored advice to meet Google’s requirements and local audience expectations.
Learn more about our Local SEO strategy for Perth businesses.
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Dorian Menard
https://searchscope.com.auI’m Dorian, founder of Search Scope and an SEO obsessed with ROI and lead generation. After a decade in the trenches, I’ve built and ranked digital assets for businesses across the world. I cut through the noise with data, automation, and strategies that actually convert. When I’m not scaling rankings, you’ll find me on a motorbike or setting chess traps — always planning three moves ahead.