Google Business Profile is a powerful tool that can help you showcase your business and attract more customers online. It allows you to display your business information, such as name, address, phone number, website, hours, etc., on Google Search and Maps. It also allows you to add photos and videos that highlight your products, services, location, or atmosphere.

However, sometimes you might want to remove photos from Google Business Profile. This could be because the photos are outdated, inaccurate, inappropriate, or irrelevant to your business. Or maybe you just want to have more control over the images that represent your business online.

But how do you remove photos from Google Business Profile? Is it a complicated process that requires technical skills or special tools? Not at all! In fact, you can remove photos from Google Business Profile in a few simple steps, using your computer or mobile device.

In this article, we will show you how to remove photos from Google Business Profile, and also share some tips and best practices for managing your photos on Google. We will cover the following topics:

  • The types of photos that you can remove from Google Business Profile
  • The steps to remove photos from Google Business Profile
  • The reasons why Google might reject your request to remove photos
  • The ways to prevent unwanted photos from appearing on your profile
  • The benefits of adding and updating your own photos on Google

By the end of this article, you will have a complete understanding of how to remove photos from Google Business Profile, and how to optimize your photos for better online visibility and customer engagement.

The Types of Photos That You Can Remove from Google Business Profile

A google business page showing a business profile.

Before we dive into the steps to remove photos from Google Business Profile, let’s first understand the types of photos that you can remove from your profile.

There are two main types of photos that are associated with your business on Google:

  • Owner photos: These are the photos that you upload yourself as the owner or manager of your business. You can add these photos through the Google Business Profile platform or the Google Business Profile app. You can upload up to 10 photos per category, such as Logo, Cover, Video, Interior, Exterior, etc. Each category has a specific purpose and impact on your online presence. For example, the Logo photo helps customers recognize your brand, while the Cover photo appears at the top of your profile and sets the tone for your business.
  • Customer photos: These are the photos that customers upload when they visit or review your business. They appear under the By Customer tab under Photos. These photos are not controlled by you, but by Google and the customers who upload them. They can help you display your products, services, location, or atmosphere from a customer’s perspective.

You can remove both types of photos from your Google Business Profile, but the process is slightly different for each type.

To remove owner photos, you simply need to delete them from your Google Business Profile account. This will instantly remove them from your profile.

To remove customer photos, you need to flag them for removal and wait for Google to review and approve your request. This can take up to a few days.

We will explain both processes in detail in the next section.

The Steps to Remove Photos from Google Business Profile

Now that you know the types of photos that you can remove from Google Business Profile, let’s see how to do it in a few simple steps.

How to Remove Owner Photos from Google Business Profile

To remove owner photos from Google Business Profile, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account. This is the platform that allows you to manage and edit your business information on Google Search and Maps. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one for free..
  2. Once you sign in, you will see a dashboard with your business name and location. Click on the name or the location to access your business profile.
  3. Go to the Photos section of your business profile. You can find it on the left menu, under the Home tab. Click on it to see all the photos that are associated with your business on Google.
  4. Choose the category of photos that you want to remove, such as Logo, Cover, Video, Interior, Exterior, etc. You will see all the owner photos that you have uploaded for that category.
  5. Select the photo that you want to remove by clicking on it. You will see a pop-up window with the photo details.
  6. Click on the trash icon at the top right corner of the window. You will see a confirmation message that says “Are you sure you want to delete this photo?”.
  7. Click on Delete to confirm. The photo will be removed from your profile immediately.

You can repeat these steps for any owner photo that you want to remove from your profile.

How to Remove Customer Photos from Google Business Profile

To remove customer photos from Google Business Profile, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account. This is the platform that allows you to manage and edit your business information on Google Search and Maps. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one for free..
  2. Once you sign in, you will see a dashboard with your business name and location. Click on the name or the location to access your business profile.
  3. Go to the Photos section of your business profile. You can find it on the left menu, under the Home tab. Click on it to see all the photos that are associated with your business on Google.
  4. Go to the By Customer tab under Photos. You will see all the customer photos that are currently visible on your profile.
  5. Flag the photo that you want to remove by clicking on the flag icon at the top right corner of the photo. You will see a pop-up window where you can report the photo for removal.
  6. Select a reason for flagging the photo, such as “Poor quality”, “Irrelevant”, “Spam”, or “Inappropriate”. You can also add a comment to explain why you want the photo removed. This will help Google review your request and decide whether to remove the photo or not.
  7. Click on Submit to send your request. You will see a confirmation message that says “Thank you for reporting this photo”. This means that Google has received your request and will review it within a few days.

You can flag as many customer photos as you want to remove from your profile. However, keep in mind that flagging a photo does not guarantee that it will be removed. Google has the final say on whether to remove a photo or not, based on its policies and guidelines.

The Reasons Why Google Might Reject Your Request to Remove Photos

A man is talking on the phone while sitting in front of a computer.

As we mentioned earlier, removing customer photos from Google Business Profile is not as straightforward as removing owner photos. You need to flag the photos for removal and wait for Google to review and approve your request.

However, sometimes Google might reject your request and keep the photos on your profile. This could be because:

  • The photo does not violate Google’s photo policies. These policies state that photos should be relevant, clear, well-lit, and respectful of people’s privacy and preferences. They also state that photos should not contain spam, offensive content, personal information, or advertising.
  • The photo is helpful or informative for customers. Google aims to provide accurate and useful information for customers who search for businesses online. Therefore, it might keep photos that show what your business does or offers, even if they are not flattering or appealing to you.
  • The photo is verified by other sources. Google might cross-check the photos with other sources, such as websites, social media, or reviews, to verify their authenticity and accuracy. If the photo matches with other sources, it might be considered as valid and relevant.

If Google rejects your request to remove a photo, you will receive an email notification with the reason why. You can also check the status of your request by going back to Photos and clicking on Flagged. You will see all the customer photos that you have flagged for removal, along with their status.

There are three possible statuses for your requests:

  • Pending: This means that Google has not reviewed your request yet and the photo is still visible on your profile.
  • Removed: This means that Google has reviewed and approved your request and the photo has been removed from your profile.
  • Rejected: This means that Google has reviewed and rejected your request and the photo is still visible on your profile.

You can also see the reason why Google rejected your request by clicking on View details under each photo. You can also appeal Google’s decision by clicking on Appeal under each photo. You will need to provide more evidence or explanation of why you want the photo removed.

The Ways to Prevent Unwanted Photos from Appearing on Your Profile

While you can always try to remove unwanted photos from your Google Business Profile, it is better to prevent them from appearing in the first place. This way, you can avoid any negative impact on your online reputation and customer engagement.

Here are some ways to prevent unwanted photos from appearing on your profile:

  • Monitor your profile regularly and flag any inappropriate or irrelevant photos as soon as possible. This will help you catch any issues before they affect your online presence.
  • Encourage your customers to upload positive and relevant photos of your business that showcase your products, services, location, or atmosphere. This will help you display your best features and drown out any negative or irrelevant photos.
  • Respond to customer reviews and photos with gratitude and professionalism. This will help you build a positive relationship with your customers and show them that you care about their feedback.
  • Add a watermark or logo to your own photos before uploading them. This will help you protect your intellectual property and prevent others from using or misusing your photos. You can use tools like [Watermarkly] or [Canva] to add watermarks or logos to your photos easily and quickly.

By following these ways, you can prevent unwanted photos from appearing on your profile and maintain a positive and consistent online image for your business.

The Benefits of Adding and Updating Your Own Photos on Google

A man's hand is pressing the update button on a screen.

While removing unwanted photos from your Google Business Profile is important, it is equally important to add and update your own photos on Google. This can help you showcase your business and attract more customers online.

Here are some benefits of adding and updating your own photos on Google:

  • You can display your products, services, location, or atmosphere in a clear and appealing way. This can help customers see what you do or offer, and how you can help them.
  • You can highlight your unique features and benefits that differentiate you from your competitors. This can help customers choose you over other businesses that offer similar products or services.
  • You can show your personality and style that match your brand and target audience. This can help customers connect with you emotionally and trust you more.
  • You can update your photos regularly to reflect any changes or updates in your business, such as new products, services, or promotions. This can help customers stay informed and interested in your business.

To add and update your own photos on Google, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account. This is the platform that allows you to manage and edit your business information on Google Search and Maps. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one for free.
  2. Once you sign in, you will see a dashboard with your business name and location. Click on the name or the location to access your business profile.
  3. Go to the Photos section of your business profile. You can find it on the left menu, under the Home tab. Click on it to see all the photos that are associated with your business on Google.
  4. Choose the category of photos that you want to add or update, such as Logo, Cover, Video, Interior, Exterior, etc. You will see all the owner photos that you have uploaded for that category.
  5. To add a new photo, click on the blue plus icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will be prompted to select a file from your device. Make sure that the file is in JPG or PNG format, and has a minimum resolution of 720 x 720 pixels.
  6. To update an existing photo, click on the photo that you want to update. You will see a pop-up window with the photo details. You can edit the photo by cropping, rotating, or flipping it. You can also delete the photo by clicking on the trash icon at the top right corner of the window.
  7. Once you have added or updated your photo, click on Apply at the top right corner of the window. The photo will be added or updated on your profile immediately.

You can repeat these steps for any category of photos that you want to add or update on your profile.

Final Words

Your Google Business Profile is an important element of your online presence that can help you showcase your business and reach more customers online. By removing photos from Google Business Profile, you can protect your online image, avoid negative or irrelevant photos, and focus on your best features.

Removing photos from Google Business Profile is easy and fast, thanks to the Google Business Profile platform. You can remove photos from Google Business Profile in a few simple steps, using your computer or mobile device.

You can also prevent unwanted photos from appearing on your profile by monitoring your profile regularly, encouraging positive customer photos, responding to customer reviews and photos, and adding watermarks or logos to your own photos.

You can also add and update your own photos on Google to showcase your products, services, location, or atmosphere in a clear and appealing way.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to remove photos from Google Business Profile in a few simple steps. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!