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A12 Justifying the Framing Rules
A12 Justifying the Framing Rules
This page aims to present convincing arguments as to why you should follow the 3 Framing Rules. The illustrated arguments are presented in order of the Framing Rules.
Justifying Framing Rule #1: Always LANDSCAPE
Justifying Framing Rule #1: Always LANDSCAPE
If you take your shots with an upright phone there will not be enough cropping space on the sides for Google to automatically crop your images to wider formats with good results. Such meaningless images are not only bad communication, but they are also worthless for the places and certainly not helpful to Maps users.
Below are examples of how absurd some of my photos look after Google cropped them automatically to a wider format. Notice, how the business names are cut or completely missing. Such images are of little help to Maps users - especially those of us with reading difficulties. A good picture always communicates better than text. The 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. Such badly cropped photos do not represent places appropriately.
These are examples of how badly Google can crop portrait photos to wider formats. This is exactly why you should never shoot in portrait. Always shoot in landscape for Google Maps. Google Maps users and places deserve better pics than these.
These are examples of how well framed mostly landscape images communicate a lot better and represent the places appropriately. With such images Maps users will have better chances of finding and recognizing these places from the image - especially as cover pics.
Wider formats are often used on Google Maps
Wider formats are often used on Google Maps
If you think wider formats are used sparingly on Google Maps - think again.
Please take a look at these format examples of how photos are used on Google Maps. Examples from all 3 platforms are included.
So you still like to use portrait orientation?
So you still like to use portrait orientation?
If you still don't believe framing rule #1 is valid, and you still like to use portrait from time to time to fill your frame, then it's time to play the Format Prediction Game.
Format Prediction Game
Format Prediction Game
Justifying Framing Rule #2: Storefront HERE!
Justifying Framing Rule #2: Storefront HERE!
This rule is designed to help you remember to:
- Center storefronts horizontally in your shots
- Zoom out sufficient to ensure enough cropping space around the storefront. On the sides and also under and above the storefront.
Important tip
Important tip
By zooming out and only uploading cropped photos in wider formats with centered storefronts you can prevent the automated cropping from spoiling your images.
So why should storefronts be centered?
So why should storefronts be centered?
This red brick building is not centered but off to the right.
As a result, the auto-crop to the square version (seen at the top) looks like a mistake with half of the building cut away. I failed to follow framing rule #2. I should have panned further right.
This is why you need to center storefronts and buildings in your shots - so they can survive the auto-crop.
This green building was also not centered properly. You can see more examples of this on the Exceptions-page. The second to last example particularly relevant.
The Framing Rules works well for stores that are square and storefronts that are roughly 2 times wider than they are tall. When you are shooting much wider storefronts, very tall storefronts, or larger buildings you should take a look at these exceptions from the Framing Rules.
Justifying Framing Rule #3: Store name HERE!
Justifying Framing Rule #3: Store name HERE!
This rule is designed to help you remember to make business names very visible, well-lit, readable, and centered in your shots.
Why should store names be easy to read?
Why should store names be easy to read?
Googles Maps Photo Quality algorithms look for the business name in your picture. If the name is visible, you have much better chances of seizing the prominent top spot and all the views associated with it.
Marketing professionals agree that it's a waste of precious exposure if the cover pic does not repeat and clearly shows the business name. Photographs speak louder and can attract attention and evoke feelings much better than text.
Places are often listed in search results next to their local competitors. Especially in this situation, the photo should look great, attractive, and professional. Within milliseconds the visitor or customer will decide where to go. And if the cover pic looks random, badly framed or dark chances are that Maps users will go elsewhere.
Maps users might not recognize the business from the name on a list of search results, in this case, a good cover pic can help attract repeat customers.
Would you choose to visit a place with some random detail in the first impression you get? Maps users unconsciously blame the businesses for bad cover photos.
Why should store names not be further up?
Why should store names not be further up?
This is a violation of Framing Rule #3. The store name should be down lower in the shot.
This is what will be shown on Google Maps after auto-crop to a wider format. Notice, how the store name is lost. You need to position the store name in the blue area.
PS: This particular problem could also have been fixed by cropping away most of the sidewalk below the storefront.
In my experience, you should pay extra attention to Framing Rule #3 in photos of new places you will be adding to Google Maps.
The next module will focus on a few Exceptions to the Framing rules. Just click/tap "Suggested next page" below. Have a ball!
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