Not landscape

D302 Never upload portrait or square photos to Google Maps

The purpose of this page is to show you the damage that Google Maps' auto-crop can do to your photos when you upload portrait and square photos.

Landscape mode is always better. Ideally, you should upload images that are even wider than the standard landscape format in most cameras.

Below you can see how the even wider formats can survive to be auto-cropped and produce perfect results. But first, let's see how auto-crop can ruin your shots.

How portrait photos can get wrecked by Googles auto-crop

Portrait photos are normally about 33% taller than they are wide. You take portrait photos when you hold your phone in the up-right/tall position.

If you upload this portrait photo of Desi Corner:

then Google Maps will show this auto-cropped image everywhere a square version of your photo is needed. This is very bad for the business. Half the store's name is missing!

And whenever Google Maps needs a wider image this will be the result. This is even worse for the pizza shop. Their name is completely lost!

How square photos can get wrecked by Googles auto-crop

Square photos are as tall as they are wide. Square photos are typically used on Instagram.

If you upload this square photo of Desi Corner:

The square versions on Google Maps will of cause look perfect.

But the wider versions will typically look like this after auto-crop. This is also very bad. Again the name got lost.

If you want to see some of the many different photo formats used on Google Maps, please visit this Overview of photos formats used on Google Maps.

A good picture always communicates better than text. Amputated photos make it more difficult for everyone to find the places and fewer users will be able to recognize the places they have visited before. New customers will not get the best possible impression of the place. Badly cropped photos are not helpful to the local businesses. Amputated photos are bad communication and far from optimal promotion. Google Maps photos should always show business names clearly and prominently.

To know more study the Framing Rules and Make your shots look great in all formats on Google Maps,

How landscape photos can survive Googles auto-crop

Landscape photos are normally about 33% wider than they are tall. You take landscape photos when you hold your phone in the wider position.

If you upload this landscape photo:

This square auto-cropped version will look like this.

And the wider auto-cropped version will look like this.

As you can see the store name survived Googles' auto-crop without loosing the store name. But now the storefront is relatively small.

Tightly cropped pics communicate much better

Look at how the businesses in the second row of these 4 images look bigger and a lot more intense and inviting. Relatively they pop out of the screen and demand attention from Maps users. This is important when Maps users are shown a list of search results.

If you want to help local businesses a tightly cropped images are superior for attracting customers' attention. If you go the extra mile to crop your landscape photos to an even wider format you are helping your local businesses stand out and you increase your chances of getting selected as the cover photo.

The next three images demonstrate this.

Perfect cropping will get you more views

If you upload this extra-wide image:

The auto-cropped square version will be this perfectly tight shot. It makes Desi Corner look very attractive and professional on Google Maps search results.

Also, the wider auto-cropped format on Google Maps will have the business name shown clearly and prominently.

The secret sauce

The combination of Framing Rules and Cropping is your secret sauce to making perfect Google Maps images that will always survive to be auto-cropped. It takes time and effort, but your shots will have a much higher chance of getting selected as cover pics and photos views start flying your way. Below you find brief information about the Framing Rules and how to crop. Follow the links to learn more.

3 Framing Rules

Framing rule #1

Always use landscape format when taking pictures for Google Maps.

Never use the tall portrait format. Always landscape. Always!

Framing rule #2

Make sure the storefront or building fits inside this green area. That will allow you to later crop your images perfectly for both the wider and the square formats used on Google Maps.

Framing rule #3

If the store name is at the top of the storefront make sure it is big and clearly visible in this blue area. Never above this area.

Visit the Framing Rues to learn more about framing your shots for Google Maps.

Cropping illustrated

If you want to learn how to crop perfectly for Google Maps, please visit Make your shots look great in all formats on Google Maps.

On the next page, you will find a information about the issue called Avoid rotated photo contributions. Just click/tap "Suggested next page" below.

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