Hello Local Guides!
We’re hoping you are as excited as we are about the ability to post your videos on Google Maps. To help you create amazing videos that stand out and get lots of views, we thought we’d highlight a few key tips for using this new feature.
The first thing to know is that you can use the camera in Google Maps to shoot videos up to 10 seconds long, and you can upload videos from your gallery that are up to30 seconds long. Either way, you’ll want to shoot vertically—the tall way.
Next, you can think about what you want to shoot. When you’re at a place, you can create video of the interior or exterior, or specific details like an item in a shop or a dish in a restaurant. You can even put yourself on camera do a video review.
Make sure that if you’re adding a video review, you’re following Google’s review policy. We also have a new policy for audio, so it might be good to take a quick look at that too before you start shooting.
To get inspired, check out some examples of every style below. Then, show us what you can do by linking to your videos in the comments.
Interior
A video showing the interior of the establishment. Ideally, the space is well lit. We want to give others a real feel for what it’s like to be at a place, so the video should capture a sense of its design and atmosphere. If you’re shooting a restaurant with a garden or outdoor space, include a clip from there.
Exterior
A video of the exterior of the establishment. This can be a video of the front of the building and the parking lot. Try to shoot when the weather is nice, which will make your video look inviting.
Detail
A video showcasing the services or products a store has to offer. Try a close-up of a particular item or someone reaching to pick it up. It’s better not to show people’s faces in detail videos. Since these are quick clips, stick to one product per video and keep the frame tight on the subject.
Food and drinks
When shooting at a restaurant, it’s fun to show the dishes you’re trying. Try showcasing the restaurant’s most visually interesting signature dishes – items the place is known for. It’s great to get an action shot of someone digging into the food, but keep the frame tight on the dish (to avoid people’s faces). Since these clips are short, stick to one dish per video or a view of the entire table with multiple dishes from above.
If a food is especially gooey or interesting when you cut it, show it being cut or opened. Runny yolks are always good to see!
Personal review## You can also put yourself on camera to give a quick review. (Again, make sure that if you’re uploading a review, you’re following Google’s review policy and Audio policy). A personal review showcasing a particular dish or interesting tips for visitors is a nice way to highlight a place. Feel free to add details and information, and your opinion is fine too, but keep in mind that similar rules apply to video reviews as to written reviews.
