How should you use photos, posts and Q&A on a Business Profile?
Photos and posts are the parts of a Business Profile you can keep fresh without changing any core details. This page covers photo specifications and what to shoot, the three types of post, and where Q&A stands after Google's recent changes.
Why do photos, posts and Q&A matter on a profile?
They show customers what the business looks like and what is happening now, which helps someone choose you from a list of similar profiles. They also keep the profile accurate when things change.
They apply most to businesses customers visit, where finding the door matters, and to any business with seasonal offers, events or changes in hours.
Photos support every profile; posts suit businesses with something new to say each month. Q&A is now limited, as explained below, so treat it as a bonus rather than a channel.
Customers add photos too, and those can show a place as it really is on a busy Saturday. Your own photos set the baseline: if the customer pictures are the only recent ones, they define how the business looks. Adding a few real, dated images each month keeps your view of the business in the mix.
What photos should you add, and in what format?
Google's photo and video guidelines set the technical limits below. Within them, the goal is honest, recent images that help someone recognize the place and the work.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo format | JPG or PNG |
| Photo size | 10 KB to 5 MB |
| Photo resolution | Recommended 720 × 720 pixels; minimum 250 × 250 |
| Photo quality | In focus, well lit, no heavy filters or alterations |
| Video | Up to 30 seconds, up to 75 MB, 720p or higher |
| Shot | Why it helps | Refresh |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior from the street | People recognize the building on arrival | When signage or the frontage changes |
| Entrance and parking | Removes the "where do I go" call | Seasonally if snow changes access |
| Interior or work area | Sets expectations before a visit | Yearly |
| Team at work | Shows real people, not stock | When the team changes |
| Typical jobs or products | Shows what you actually sell | Monthly |
How should you use the three post types?
Google's page on creating posts describes three types: Updates, Offers and Events. Posts older than 6 months are archived unless you set a date range, so give offers and events clear dates.
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ShoutEx view: one useful post a fortnight beats daily filler. Post when something real changes: new stock, a seasonal service, an event, a holiday schedule.
Write each post so it stands alone. Start with the news in a short headline, add one or two sentences of detail, give dates where they apply and add a button that leads to the matching page on your website. Use a real photo taken for the post rather than a recycled one.
Is Business Profile Q&A still worth managing?
Only lightly. Google's help pages now say Q&A is available only for select business categories and regions, and that may change. Its developer Q&A API change log records that the Q&A API was discontinued on November 3, 2025 while Google updates the feature.
| If Q&A appears on your profile | If it does not |
|---|---|
| Check it when you check reviews | Nothing to manage |
| Answer factual questions briefly and accurately | Put the same answers on your website FAQ |
| Do not rely on third-party tools that used the old API | Use the description and services list for key facts |
Either way, the durable home for common questions is your website. The service pages guide shows how to answer them where customers and search engines can always find them.
Photograph what a first-time customer needs to recognize.
The building, the door, the parking, the counter and the work itself. Mood shots and stock images come last, if at all.
What photo and post mistakes should you avoid?
- Stock photos that show a place or team that is not yours. Customers notice on arrival.
- Heavy filters or edited images. Google asks for in-focus, unaltered photos.
- Offers with no end date that keep running after the deal ends.
- Posting the same text every week to look active. It adds nothing a customer can use.
- Answers in posts that belong in the profile. Hours changes go in special hours; services go in the services list.
- Uploading before verification and assuming the photos failed. They will not show until the profile is verified.
The trade-off is time. A small business rarely has hours a week for its profile, so put the effort where customers look first: an accurate cover set of photos, then dated offers and events. A monthly calendar reminder to add new photos and check old posts is enough for most.
How can you tell whether photos and posts help?
| Measure | Value | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Photos added | 18 | Steady monthly additions, mostly products |
| Posts published | 7 | About one a fortnight |
| Offer redemptions mentioned at the till | 23 | The delivery offer was used |
| Event registrations | 14 | Workshop worth repeating |
Profile performance shows interactions and views; your own till or booking records show whether offers worked. See Business Profile performance and local SEO reporting.
Frequently asked questions
What size should Google Business Profile photos be?
JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB. Google recommends 720 × 720 pixels, with a minimum of 250 × 250.
Can I add videos to my profile?
Yes. Videos can be up to 30 seconds and 75 MB, at 720p or higher.
Why are my photos not showing?
Nothing shows until the profile is verified, and uploads can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
What types of Google Business Profile posts are there?
Updates, Offers and Events.
How long do posts stay up?
Posts older than 6 months are archived unless you set a date range.
Is Q&A still available on Business Profiles?
Google says Q&A is available only for select business categories and regions, and that may change. The Q&A API was discontinued on November 3, 2025.
How often should I post?
When something real changes. One useful post a fortnight is better than frequent filler.
Can I use stock photos?
It is better not to. Customers want to recognize your real premises, team and work.
Sources & further reading
Regulator rules, platform policies and local data change. These sources let you check the facts on this page, last checked October 7, 2026.