- Photo and video specs at a glance
- Logo, cover photo and business photos
- Why your logo isn't showing
- How to add or change your logo or cover photo
- Adding and removing other photos and videos
- What the upload statuses mean
- How many photos Google suggests, by type
- My verdict on Business Profile photos
- Frequently asked questions
Your Google Business Profile logo, cover photo and other photos should be JPG or PNG files between 10 KB and 5 MB, ideally 720 px by 720 px and never under 250 px on either side. If your logo won't show, Google says the usual cause is missing basic info: your name, a street address, categories, phone number or opening hours.
Here's the catch. Nothing you upload shows on Google until your Business Profile is verified. Until then, your photos sit at Pending, and Pending media doesn't appear on Search or Maps. Even after verification, Google says it can take 24 to 48 hours for new photos and videos to show up.
Photo and video specs at a glance
| Spec | Google's guideline, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Photo format | JPG or PNG |
| Photo file size | Between 10 KB and 5 MB |
| Recommended photo size | 720 px tall by 720 px wide |
| Minimum photo size | 250 px tall by 250 px wide |
| Photo quality | In focus, well lit, no significant alterations, no heavy filters or AI |
| Video length | Up to 30 seconds |
| Video file size | Up to 75 MB |
| Video resolution | 720p or higher |
The quality line is the one people skip. Google's wording is that the image should represent reality, and its business photo tips now name excessive use of AI alongside filters. A polished, edited shot of your shop front isn't the goal; a true one is.
Logo, cover photo and business photos
Google lets you add three types of photo, and each has a different job.
| Photo type | What it does |
|---|---|
| Logo | Helps customers recognise your business. Google highlights it for businesses that have their basic information filled in. |
| Cover photo | Sits at the top of your profile, but setting it doesn't guarantee it shows as your first image |
| Business photos | Highlight features of your business to attract and inform customers |
That second row surprises people. If the cover photo you pick is low quality, or other sources suggest it isn't the best picture of your business, Google may show a photo a customer uploaded instead. The fix isn't to keep re-uploading the same cover: it's to make it sharper and more representative.
Why your logo isn't showing
Google's help page answers this directly. If your logo photo doesn't appear, check you've entered all the necessary info in your profile.
- Name
- A valid location with a street address
- Categories
- Phone number
- Opening hours
Also check the profile is verified, because unverified profiles keep every photo at Pending. If you're stuck on that step, here's my guide to Google Business Profile verification.
How to add or change your logo or cover photo
- On your computer, open Google Search or Maps.
- Search for your business's name and city.
- Click Photos, then Add a cover photo or Add a logo.
- To swap an existing one, click Change cover or Change logo.
- Select your photo.
Adding and removing other photos and videos
Adding works the same way: search for your business and city, click Photos, then Add photos, and pick one or several files. Your newest media appears first on your profile. If an upload seems to vanish, Google suggests checking it isn't a duplicate and then trying again.
To remove one, open Photos, scroll to the photo or video, click Delete and confirm with Delete again. You can also ask Google to remove photos customers have added. If your business has 10 or more locations, you can bulk upload photos through a spreadsheet instead of one profile at a time.
What the upload statuses mean
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pending | Still uploading or processing, or your profile isn't verified. Not shown to customers. |
| Not approved | Flagged for breaking Google's photo and video policies. Not shown on Search or Maps. |
| Live | Showing on Search and Maps for customers |
Once photos are live, Google shows the photo source and total views in the bottom left corner of each photo on Search, which is a handy way to see which images people look at.
How many photos Google suggests, by type
Google's tips page gives a minimum for each kind of business photo. Use the rows that fit your business and skip the rest.
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| Photo type | Suggested minimum | Google's tip |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior | At least three | Shoot from each direction customers approach, at different times of day |
| Interior | At least three | Show what it's like to stand inside as a customer |
| Product | At least three | Feature your most popular items, evenly lit |
| At work | At least three | Show your team delivering different types of service |
| Food and drink | At least three | Feature your most popular dishes or drinks, evenly lit |
| Common areas | At least one of each | For example a spa, gym or breakfast room |
| Rooms | At least three | Show every type of guest room you offer |
| Team | At least three | Show management and staff, a little less formal |
Google says exterior photos help customers recognise your business when they arrive, and team photos present a more personal side of it. If you're a service business with no storefront, at-work and team photos are where I'd start.
My verdict on Business Profile photos
Fill in every basic field before you worry about the logo, because that's what Google checks before it highlights one. Upload at 720 px square in JPG or PNG, keep edits light, and add at least three photos for each type that fits your business. Then give it 48 hours before you decide something's wrong. For everything else on the profile, my Google Business Profile optimisation checklist goes field by field.
Photos help people who find you on Maps choose you. Getting your business named when they ask an AI tool instead is where I come in. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement, AI automation and GEO, which is about getting your business seen and cited in AI answers. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a Google Business Profile logo be?
Google recommends 720 px tall by 720 px wide, with a minimum of 250 px by 250 px, as a JPG or PNG file between 10 KB and 5 MB.
Why is my Google Business Profile logo not showing?
Google says to check you've entered all the necessary info: name, a valid location with a street address, categories, phone number and opening hours. The profile must also be verified.
How long do Google Business Profile photos take to appear?
It can take 24 to 48 hours before photos and videos show on your Business Profile, and they won't show at all until the profile is verified.
Why did Google show a different cover photo?
If the cover photo you select is low quality or other sources suggest it's not the best photo of your business, a user-submitted photo may be shown instead.
How long can a Google Business Profile video be?
Up to 30 seconds, up to 75 MB, at 720p or higher.
