Photos and description for your farm or guesthouse Google profile: what the rules ask

Most guests first see your farm, guesthouse or restaurant on Google Search and Maps. This article sums up what Google's Business Profile help asks for photos, video and description, and what it means for a small host working with a phone.

In short

• Photos: JPG or PNG, 10 KB to 5 MB; recommended 720 x 720 pixels, minimum 250 x 250.
• A photo must be in focus, well lit and "represent reality", with no significant alterations or excessive filters.
• Video: up to 30 seconds, up to 75 MB, resolution 720p or higher.
• The description must not focus on special promotions, prices or sales, and must not contain links or unreadable text.
• Newest media shows first, and new uploads can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
• Photos stay "Pending" and are not publicly visible while they are processing or while the profile is not verified. If the status is "Not approved", the photo breaks the policy and does not show on Search and Maps.

Who it applies to

Anyone who has or wants a Google profile: rural households, guesthouses, restaurants, producers selling on the farm and tour operators.

What to do

1. Shoot photos with your phone in good daylight, sharp and without heavy filters. Show what the guest actually gets: the house, room, yard, food, products and hosts.
2. Check that files are JPG or PNG and within 10 KB to 5 MB. Some newer phone photos are larger than 5 MB; if Google rejects a file, make it smaller (size or quality, in the gallery or an editing app) before sending it again.
3. Add a logo, a cover photo and business photos through the profile. The logo is highlighted on profiles that have basic information, for example a phone number or opening hours. If a photo does not appear after 48 hours, check whether Google discarded it as a duplicate, and only then upload it again. If the profile is not verified, photos stay pending.
4. Optionally add a short video (up to 30 s, up to 75 MB, at least 720p).
5. Write the description: what you offer (services and products), the mission and history of the farm, honest and useful for the guest. No prices, discounts, links, odd characters or spelling errors.
6. Keep your details accurate and answer reviews. Google states that complete and accurate information makes a business more likely to appear in local search, and replying to reviews shows you value feedback.

Where to go

• Google's Business Profile help: the sections on photos and video, on guidelines for representing your business and on local ranking.

Laws and sources

• Photo and video requirements, Google Business Profile help
• Guidelines for representing your business on Google (includes the description rules), Google Business Profile help
• Improve your local ranking, Google Business Profile help

These are the rules of a private platform, not laws, and Google can change them without notice. Before uploading, check the current requirements in Google's Business Profile help.