To change the cover photo on your Google Business Profile, search for your business name and city on Google Search or Google Maps while signed in to the account that manages the profile. Click Photos, then Change cover (or Add a cover photo if you don’t have one), and choose your image. Google may take a while to show the new photo, and it doesn’t guarantee your chosen cover will always appear first.
Below are the steps for a computer and the mobile apps, the photo specs that work best, how to influence the order of your photos, and what to do if Google keeps showing a different image.
Change the cover photo on a computer
- Sign in to the Google account that owns or manages your Business Profile.
- Go to Google Search or Google Maps and search for your business’s name and city. Your profile management panel appears at the top of the results.
- Click Photos.
- Click Change cover. If no cover is set, click Add a cover photo.
- Upload a new image or pick one you’ve already uploaded.
The logo works the same way: click Change logo or Add a logo under Photos.
Change the cover photo on a phone
- Open the Google app or Google Maps app and make sure you’re signed in to the managing account.
- Search for your business name, or open your profile from your account’s business list.
- Tap Edit profile or the Photos option.
- Choose the cover photo option and select a new image from your phone.
The exact labels vary between the Google app and Maps, and Google updates them often. If you can’t find the option, use a computer.
Photo requirements
| Requirement | Google’s guideline |
|---|---|
| Format | JPG or PNG |
| File size | Between 10 KB and 5 MB |
| Recommended resolution | 720 x 720 pixels |
| Minimum resolution | 250 x 250 pixels |
| Quality | In focus, well lit, and without heavy filters or edits |
Because the cover is cropped differently on phones, search results, and Maps, keep the main subject near the center of the image.
Why Google might not show your cover photo
Google says setting a cover photo doesn’t guarantee it will be the first image people see. Google may choose a different photo, including one uploaded by a customer, if it thinks that image better matches what someone searched for. Some other reasons your new cover might not appear:
- Review time: New photos can take some time to be approved and appear.
- Unverified profile: Photos only show after your Business Profile is verified.
- Policy issues: Images with text overlays, stock photos, or heavy editing may be rejected.
- Caching: Your browser may show an old version. Check in a private window.
Can you rearrange photos on Google Business Profile?
No. Google doesn’t let owners drag photos into a custom order. Uploaded photos are listed with the newest first, and Google decides which images appear in the main gallery. What you can do:
- Set a cover photo and logo so your preferred images are marked as the most important.
- Upload your best photos last. Since newest uploads appear first in your own photo list, adding your strongest images most recently can help.
- Delete weak or outdated photos you uploaded. Open Photos, select the image, and click Delete.
- Report customer photos that break policy. You can’t delete other people’s photos, but you can report inappropriate ones.
- Add photos regularly. Fresh exterior, interior, product, and team photos give Google better options to choose from.
Photo types worth adding beyond the cover
A complete photo set gives Google better images to pick from and gives customers a clearer picture of your business:
- Exterior: Your entrance from a few angles and at different times of day, so people recognize it when they arrive.
- Interior: What customers see when they walk in.
- Products or work: Your best-selling items, menu dishes, or finished projects.
- Team: Staff at work, which helps service businesses feel approachable.
- Videos: Up to 30 seconds and 75 MB, at 720p or higher.
If your business has 10 or more locations, Google lets you bulk upload photos through a spreadsheet instead of one profile at a time.
Tips for a strong cover photo
- Show your storefront, your workspace, or your product in use, not a logo or graphic.
- Use natural light and avoid clutter.
- Pick a landscape image with room to crop on all sides.
- Update it seasonally or after a renovation so it stays accurate.
Related: How to hide Google reviews.
Related: How to find out who left a Google review.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a new cover photo to show?
It varies. Some photos appear within minutes; others take longer while Google reviews them.
Can I use a logo as my cover photo?
You can, but it isn’t recommended. Use the logo slot for your logo and a real photo of your business for the cover.
Can someone else change my cover photo?
Only owners and managers of the profile can set the cover. Customers can add their own photos, but they can’t choose your cover.
Why does Google show a customer’s photo first?
Google picks the image it considers most relevant to each search, which can include customer photos.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.