Understand why photos may not appear or show in a different order on Google Search and Maps.
When images are published to a Google Business Profile, it’s important to know that this does not guarantee they will appear publicly on the profile in Google Search or Maps. All photos go through an automated review process, and Google may choose not to display images that are low quality, blurry, or not clearly relevant to the business.
Even when images are approved, Google’s algorithm determines the order in which photos appear. It prioritizes content that is most helpful or relevant to users. This means that customer-uploaded photos—such as those added in reviews—can sometimes appear more prominently than photos uploaded by the business itself.
Additionally, photos that receive more user interactions, such as views, clicks, or engagements, are more likely to be shown prominently. This approach helps ensure that users see the most useful and engaging content first.
Understanding how Google displays photos allows businesses to better manage expectations and focus on providing high-quality, relevant images to improve the overall user experience.