A complete and optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for improving your local SEO and attracting more customers. But many business owners run into an annoying issue—their uploaded photos keep getting rejected with little to no explanation.
If your logo, cover photo, or business images aren't appearing on your profile, you're not alone. Google has strict policies and automated filters that can block photos for various reasons, from file size and quality issues to SafeSearch restrictions.
This guide will walk you through why Google might reject your photo, how to fix common issues, and best practices for ensuring your images get approved—saving you time and frustration.
Guidelines & Best Practices for Google Business Profile Media
Before diving into specific rejection reasons, it’s helpful to understand Google’s official guidelines for Business Profile media. Ensuring your images meet these requirements upfront can prevent rejections and keep your profile looking professional.
Image Requirements
- File Type: Use JPG or PNG format.
- File Size: Images must be between 10 KB and 5 MB.
- Resolution: Recommended 720 x 720 pixels (minimum 250 x 250 pixels).
- Quality: Photos should be clear, well-lit, properly exposed, and unedited beyond basic enhancements (e.g., slight brightness or contrast adjustments).
Types of Photos to Add
Adding a mix of high-quality, relevant photos improves engagement and credibility. Consider uploading:
- Logo: Helps customers instantly recognize your brand.
- Cover Photo: Showcases your business identity at the top of your profile.
- Interior & Exterior Photos: Gives customers a sense of your space.
- Team & Staff Photos: Builds trust by showing the people behind the business.
- Product or Service Images: Highlights what you offer.
Avoid These Issues (Common Rejection Reasons)
- Duplicate or Copyrighted Images: Use only unique and original photos.
- Excessive Text Overlays: Keep text under 10% of the image and positioned along an edge if necessary.
- Blurry, Dark, or Over-Edited Images: Images should accurately represent your business.
- Inappropriate or Non-Business Content: Avoid anything unrelated to your business, including low-quality stock images.
Following these best practices will increase your chances of approval and help your Business Profile rank better in search results.
Why Google Might Reject Your Photos (and How to Fix)
Google uses automated filters and content policies to review images before they appear on your Business Profile. If your photos keep getting rejected, it’s likely due to one of the following reasons:
1. Your Business Profile Is Too New
If your profile was created or verified within the last 14 days, Google may temporarily block media uploads.
Fix: Wait at least two weeks after verification before adding photos.
2. Duplicate, Watermarked, or Copyrighted Images
Google’s AI flags duplicate images—even if you uploaded them from a different device. Stock photos, watermarked images, or pictures pulled from the web can also trigger rejection.
Fix: Use original, non-watermarked images taken specifically for your business.
3. Google’s AI SafeSearch Flagged the Image
Google scans all uploaded images to filter out inappropriate or low-quality content using its SafeSearch AI. Even innocent images (e.g., blurry product shots or images with excessive filters) can get incorrectly flagged.
Fix: Use Google’s Cloud Vision API SafeSearch tool to see if they pass.
View the full list of prohibited and restricted content
4. Image Quality Issues (Blurry, Dark, Over-Edited)
Google rejects blurry, grainy, or heavily edited images because they don’t provide a clear and accurate representation of your business.
Fix: Upload high-quality photos with good lighting, sharp focus, and minimal edits.
5. Image Size & Format Restrictions
Photos that are too large, too small, or in the wrong format won’t upload.
Fix:
- Keep file sizes under 5MB.
- Use JPG or PNG format.
- Ensure images are at least 720x720px.
6. Too Much Text or Overlays in Images
Google discourages text-heavy images, as they reduce clarity and may be flagged as promotional content.
Fix:
- Keep text under 10% of the image area.
- Position text along the edge rather than the center.
7. Profile Issues (Unverified, Suspended, or Disabled Account)
If your Google Business Profile is unverified, suspended, or disabled, uploaded content won’t go live.
Fix:
- Make sure your business is fully verified.
- If your profile is suspended, resolve any violations before uploading images again.
What to Do If Your Photos Keep Getting Rejected
If your Google Business Profile photos still aren’t being approved, even after following the guidelines, try these troubleshooting steps:
1. Check if Your Business Profile is Verified
Unverified profiles may not be able to publish images.
Fix:
- Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard.
- Look for a verification status message. If unverified, follow the steps to verify your business.
2. Wait 24-48 Hours (It Might Be a Bug)
Some images show as rejected at first but later get published.
Fix:
- Wait at least 24-48 hours before assuming the image won’t be approved.
- Refresh your profile and check again.
3. Use Google’s Cloud Vision API to Test Your Image
Google scans images using AI SafeSearch—your image might be flagged for inappropriate content, even if it seems fine.
Fix:
- Go to Google’s Cloud Vision API SafeSearch tool.
- Upload your image and check if it’s flagged under categories like “Adult,” “Violence,” or “Racy”.
- If flagged, use a different image or make slight edits (e.g., cropping or adjusting brightness) before re-uploading.
4. Resize or Reformat Your Image
Google rejects images that are too large, too small, or in the wrong format.
Fix:
- Make sure your image is JPG or PNG format.
- Resize it to at least 720x720px and keep the file size under 5MB.
5. Avoid Duplicate or Overused Images
Google may block images that have been uploaded multiple times, even from different accounts.
Fix:
- If you've uploaded an image before, use a different version (e.g., crop or slightly adjust brightness/contrast).
- Make sure the image is unique to your business (avoid stock photos).
6. Keep Text & Watermarks to a Minimum
Google discourages excessive text overlays or watermarked images.
Fix:
- If your image contains text, keep it under 10% of the total image space and place it along the edge.
- Remove any watermarks, brand logos, or stock photo attributions.
7. Clear Your Cache & Try Again
Sometimes, rejections are caused by browser caching issues rather than actual policy violations.
Fix:
- Try uploading the image from a different browser or in incognito mode.
- Clear your cache and cookies, then retry.
8. Contact Google Support
If you’ve tried everything and your images are still being rejected, reach out to Google Business Profile Support.
Fix:
- Visit Google’s Help Center.
- Use the Chat or Email option to contact support.
- Provide details about the issue and attach screenshots of the rejected photos.
Quick Checklist: How to Get Your Google Business Profile Photos Approved
- Ensure your profile has been verified for at least 14 days before uploading.
- Use the right format: JPG or PNG, 720x720px minimum, under 5MB.
- Make sure images are clear, well-lit, and unedited beyond minor adjustments.
- Use unique, original images—no duplicates or stock photos.
- Limit text overlays to under 10% of the image and avoid watermarks.
- Test images using Cloud Vision API to check for SafeSearch flags.
- If an image gets rejected, wait 24-48 hours—it may still be processed.
- Regularly update your profile with fresh images to improve engagement.
- If all else fails, contact Google Business Profile Support.
Conclusion
Getting your Google Business Profile photos approved can be frustrating, but understanding Google’s guidelines and troubleshooting common issues will save you time and effort.
By following best practices—using high-quality, original images, avoiding text overlays and duplicates, and ensuring your profile is verified and active—you can ensure that your photos get approved and enhance your local SEO presence.
If you’re still running into issues, don’t hesitate to use Google’s Cloud Vision API tool to check for SafeSearch flags or reach out to Google Business Profile Support for help.
A well-optimized profile with the right images boosts credibility, attracts more customers, and helps your business stand out—so it’s worth taking the extra steps to get it right!
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This post was last updated on Jan 31, 2025