A recent study shows the correlation between this section on a Google My Business profile and how it massively impacts search performance. The research found that focusing on this one thing on a business’ page, received an average increase of 1,065% increase in website traffic! Read on to learn how this also increases calls, search views, map views, and more!
Adweek reported that 61% of consumers trust visual media, like photos, to make buying decisions. In the age of social media, we need local businesses to be able not only to produce images but also post them online for potential clients; this is because people want an accurate representation of their experience before they spend any money!
Not convinced yet? Let’s take a look at the study conducted by brightlocal that analyzed 580,853 images across 15,191 Google My Business listings to see what it can teach us about GMB images, and how they are impacting search results as well as user behavior.
Do images on Google My Business play an important role in local search performance?
The best way to get a customer’s attention is with a strong call-to-action button that will get noticed, and GMB images are a perfect way to help potential customers see it. The more photos you have on your Google My Business listing, the better your chances of leading customers from discovery to conversion.
Here are a view stats on how the number of photos you post can impact local search performance.
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 520% more calls than the average business, while those with just one image get 71% fewer.
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 2,717% more direction requests than the average business, while those with just one get 75% fewer.
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 1,065% more website clicks than the average business, while those with just one get 65% fewer.
Can businesses with more GMB photos get more views on search and views on maps?
In case you’re fairly new to GMB Insights, here are Google’s definitions of these metrics:
Views on Search: A customer found the business via Google Search, including local pack results from search.
Views on Maps: A customer found the business via Google Maps.
As much as Google Maps is just a way to locate a product or service nearby, it has evolved into a photo-sharing platform like social media with customers sharing their experience directly onto a businesses’ GMB via the photo section. By doing so, it gives other customers an idea of what the experience will be like before they even step foot in or call the business.
What did the study find when looking at search and map views?
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 960% more search views than the average business, while those with just one get 62% fewer.
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 3459% more maps views than the average business, while those with just one get 71% fewer.
Do Businesses with more GMB photos appear in more direct and discovery searches?
What is the difference between direct search and discovery search?
Direct search: A customer directly searched for your business name or address.
Discovery search: A customer searched for a category, product, or service that you offer, and your listing appeared.
The more photos a business has, the higher its search ranking.
Here are the key findings for direct and discovery searches:
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 713% more discovery searches than the average business, while those with just one get 65% fewer.
- Businesses with more than 100 images get 1038% more direct searches than the average business, while those with just one get 71% fewer.
The Google My Business profile is a powerful tool, and the more images you have on it, the better. It doesn’t matter if you run a bar on a beautiful beachfront location or a law office downtown. What matters is how many photos you can upload onto your GMB.
What are some ways you can get more photos on your Google My Business profile?
- Post them yourself
As obvious as this suggestion might be, it’s easier said than done. You also have to keep in mind that Google is looking for images of what a customer’s experience will be like, not just pictures of your staff.
Here are some ways you can get creative about collecting more content
- Host an event.
- Take pictures of your business inside and out.
- Take pictures of your equipment.
- Take pictures of what customers will experience at your business or on the job site.
- Get customers to post them
One of the best ways to get customers to upload photos to your GMB is to encourage them to do so.
Here are some ways customers can help create content.
- Get your salespeople to ask if a customer would like a photo taken with their new purchase.
- If you’re a service-area business, ask the customer to snap a photo of the finished product.
- Encourage customers to snap a photo for the five-star review you asked them to leave you.
It’s no secret that a picture is worth a thousand words. As for what it can when posted to your GMB, it could be worth a thousand website visitors too. This recent study has revealed just how powerful having more images on your Google My Business profile can be. Encouraging your team as well as your customers to post photos can help you reach over 100 images on your GMB fast and by doing so, help impact your profile in the same ways mentioned above.
If you’re looking for a trusted company to help manage your Google My Business profile so that you don’t have to worry about creating content, adding photos, or making posts, Lead Revenue can help! As a Google Premier Partner, we are staffed with experts that can not only help grow your account but get the results you’re looking for when it comes to your business. Contact us today to learn about our proven Google My Business strategy.
