DO YOU WANT TO RANK HIGHER ON GOOGLE?
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In the competitive world of digital marketing and SEO, there is one often overlooked aspect that can significantly impact your Google My Business (GMB) account rankings: photos. While many factors contribute to your GMB ranking, adding and optimizing photos on your account can have a positive effect on your rankings and protect you from suspensions or being marked as spam. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of photos, what makes a good photo, and how to leverage them to gain a competitive edge in your local market.
Photos and Legitimacy:
In the ongoing battle against fake businesses and spam listings, Google is actively working to identify and remove illegitimate entities from its search results. However, legitimate businesses sometimes fall victim to accidental spam marking due to certain factors, such as the absence of quality photos. To ensure your business is not flagged as spam, it is crucial to avoid using fake or stock photos purchased from websites or sourced from other locations on the internet. Only post photos that you or your team have taken.
What Makes a Good Photo for GMB Ranking?
To separate yourself from the competition and enhance your GMB rankings, it’s important to have better photos than your competitors. Here are some key elements that Google favors in photos:
- >Include your logo: Incorporating your logo in photos allows Google to match it with your website or Google account, strengthening your brand presence.
Showcase tools or equipment:
If your business utilizes specific tools or equipment, make sure they are visible in the photos. Google’s AI can detect and understand the context of your images.
- Feature people: Adding people to your photos adds authenticity and engagement. Capture images of your team members in action, showcasing your services or products.
- Reflect your services or products: For service-based businesses, display photos of people availing the services. In the case of product-based businesses, showcase individuals using, handling, or appreciating the products.
Utilizing Google’s Advanced Image Recognition:
Google’s advanced image recognition capabilities have made significant strides in recent years. With tools like Google Cloud Vision, the search engine can analyze images and determine various elements within them. By ensuring your photos contain the necessary components mentioned above, you capture Google’s attention and improve your chances of ranking higher in GMB results.
Real-Life Examples:
To illustrate the impact of photos on GMB rankings, let’s examine a few examples:
- Electrical contractor in Kansas City: Jeremy Electrical, one of the top-ranking businesses, effectively incorporates crucial elements into their photos. Their images feature vehicles with logos, a person performing electrical work, and the logo displayed on a staff member’s shirt. These details provide Google with the necessary signals for accurate recognition and stronger rankings.
- Italian food in Indianapolis: An Italian restaurant in Indianapolis demonstrates effective use of photos. They include images of their dishes, which is essential, but they could further enhance their profile by including pictures of people enjoying the food. Additionally, they showcase their sign with the logo, further reinforcing their brand identity.
- Chiropractor in Bellingham: A chiropractic office in Bellingham showcases a mix of successful and less effective photos. They highlight their logo and storefront, which is beneficial. However, they use a stock photo, which should be replaced with an image of an actual patient receiving treatment. They also feature a photo of a chiropractor performing their services, which is highly advantageous for rankings.
Optimizing Photo Frequency:
Determining how often to post photos on your GMB account depends on your competitors’ activity. Conduct research on the top-ranked businesses in your area and analyze their photo posting frequency. Aim to surpass their efforts by posting more frequently. If they post once a month, you should aim for twice a month; if they post once a week, aim for twice a week, and so on. Consistency and quality are key to gaining the competitive edge.
Conclusion:
By understanding the significance of photos in ranking your Google Business Profile, you can leverage this often overlooked aspect to boost your online presence and surpass your competitors. Remember to use authentic photos taken by your team, incorporate your logo, showcase your services or products, and add people to enhance engagement. Stay ahead of the competition by posting photos more frequently than your rivals. By implementing these strategies and following the comprehensive GMB ranking guide, you can achieve higher visibility, increased website traffic, and ultimately, more leads for your business.
For more in-depth guidance on optimizing your Google My Business account, check out our free GMB cheat sheet at BigWestAcademy.com/gmbcheatsheet. Subscribe to our channel for regular updates and leave any questions in the comments section. Start maximizing the power of photos in your GMB strategy today and see the difference it makes for your business.
