How to Remove Photos From Google My Business

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) photos can significantly impact a customer’s first impression. However, anyone with a Google account can upload photos, sometimes leading to inappropriate or inaccurate content. This guide explains how to remove photos from your Google My Business listing.

alt text: A person using a computer to manage their Google Business Profile

Deleting Photos: Manager vs. Customer Uploads

There’s a crucial distinction between photos uploaded by profile managers and those by customers:

• Manager-Uploaded Photos: If you or another authorized manager uploaded the photo, deleting it is straightforward.
• Customer-Uploaded Photos: You can’t directly delete photos uploaded by customers. Instead, you must flag them as inappropriate and request Google’s intervention. This requires the photo to violate Google’s content guidelines.

How to Remove Manager-Uploaded Photos

1. Sign in: Log into the Google account managing your Business Profile.
2. Find Your Profile: Search for your business name on Google.
3. Access Photos: Click the cover photo in your knowledge panel to view all photos.
4. Manage Photos: Click “Manage Your Photos.”
5. Delete: Click the trash can icon on the photo you want to remove.

How to Remove Customer-Uploaded Photos via Google Search

1. Follow Steps 1-3 Above: Access the “all photos” interface.
2. Select the Photo: Click on the customer-uploaded photo.
3. Flag the Photo: Click the flag icon in the lower right corner.
4. Report the Issue: Choose the most relevant reason for reporting. If none apply, select “Other” and provide a detailed explanation. Be specific about how the photo violates Google’s guidelines.

alt text: A screenshot of the Google image reporting interface with options to select the reason for reporting.

5. Provide Contact Information: Enter your email address for updates.
6. Submit: Complete the anti-spam verification and submit your request.

How to Remove Customer-Uploaded Photos via Google Maps

While Google Search is recommended, you can also report photos via Google Maps on a smartphone:

1. Access Your Profile on Google Maps: Search for your business on Google Maps.
2. View All Photos: Navigate to the “Photos” section and click “All.”
3. Find the Photo: Locate the customer-uploaded photo.
4. Report: Tap the three dots (or the flag icon) and select “Report a Problem.”
5. Follow Steps 4-6 From the Google Search Method: Select the reason, provide your email, and submit.

Understanding Google’s Photo Policies

Refer to these Google resources for detailed information on content guidelines:

• Google’s Map User Contributed Content Policy
• Requesting Removal of Customer Photos
• Business Profile Photo and Video Policy
• Google’s Prohibited and Restricted Content List

Conclusion

Managing your Google Business Profile photos is crucial for maintaining a positive online presence. While you can directly control manager-uploaded photos, removing customer photos requires a reporting process. Understanding Google’s policies is vital for successful removal requests. Remember to thoroughly document your reasons for reporting a photo and provide clear evidence of policy violations.