“Two is better than one,” went a famous 1994 Italian ice cream commercial, spoken in slightly broken English. That catchphrase became viral in my country and is still used today, often to tease those who overdo things or exaggerate.
I chose this old expression to talk about one of the most common—and worst—habits when it comes to posting photos on Google Maps: the double-tap and multiple publishing.
To be clear: I’m talking about people acting in good faith, not those trying to “game the system” by knowingly breaking the rules. However, these behaviors violate Google Maps policies because they add zero information to a listing.
I’ve seen users upload nearly identical images up to 9 times for the same Point of Interest (POI).
- Who does this help? No one. It only frustrates users who have to scroll through repetitive content to find something useful.
- What’s the benefit for the contributor? You might get 45 points instead of 5… until you are banned from the program and all your contributions are removed.
What Many Don’t Realize…
Many believe that the only forbidden practice is uploading identical duplicates (the exact same file). In reality, the policies go much further to ensure a high-quality user experience:
- Preventing overcrowding: Too many similar images from the same user dilute the helpfulness of the gallery.
- Avoiding confusion: Uploading the same image across different locations is misleading.
Let’s look at the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Identical Duplicates (The “Safety” Upload)
This often happens by accident. You visit a place, take a photo, and then:
- You add it to your review.
- You add it to the “Updates” section.
- Later, Google Maps prompts you via notification to “Add photos of this place,” and you click “Yes” without checking if you’ve already posted them. Result: The same image appears three or four times. Maps doesn’t need “reminders”—one high-quality upload is enough.
2. Pre-post Editing: When “Different” is still “Same”
Some users take a photo, apply a filter or adjust saturation/contrast, and then upload both versions because they look “different.”
Warning: Not only is this redundant, but excessive editing (heavy filters or unrealistic HDR) can also violate the policy of “representing reality.” If you edit, choose your favorite version and upload only that one.
3. Redundant Images (The “Burst Mode” Trap)
Many people think that as long as the shots are slightly different, they are allowed. This is a myth. Maps defines these as "redundant" photos.
- The Burst Mode issue: We often take multiple shots in a row to capture the perfect moment. That’s great for your gallery, but don’t dump the whole sequence on Maps! Choose the sharpest one and delete the rest.
- The “Zero Views” Shadowban: Did you know that if you upload 5 similar photos, the algorithm might hide them all or stop counting views? If you see your photo views stuck at zero, it’s often because the system has flagged them as repetitive content.
4. Duplicates Across Locations (The Mall Example)
Look at this image: an exterior shot of a Mall showing the signs of six different stores inside.
Many think uploading this same photo to all seven listings (the Mall + the 6 stores) is helpful. It is not. It is a violation. A photo of the outside of a building doesn’t help someone trying to see the inside of a specific boutique. If you want to link them correctly, use the “Located Within” feature instead.
Rule #1: Think Like a User
The policies are there for a reason, but the golden rule is simple: Is my contribution truly useful? If you were looking for a restaurant, would you want to see 10 nearly identical photos of the same chair? Probably not.
Check out this great post on how useful our contributions really are for more perspective.
The Official Policies:
“We do not allow the posting of repetitive content on Google Maps because it dilutes useful information… This includes posting the same content multiple times either from the same account or multiple accounts.” — Google Contribution Policy
Remember: Dark, blurry, and redundant photos will be removed. Local Guides who duplicate photos across locations or post images that infringe on copyrights will be removed from the program.
In this topic, we are only covering photos posted without realizing they violate the rules. For a discussion on “stolen” photos and copyright, click here.
Do you have any questions or need clarification? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!
“Now, I’d love to hear from you! Do you find it hard to hit ‘delete’ on those similar shots before uploading, or are you a ‘one-shot’ perfectionist? Have you ever noticed your photo views staying at zero and wondered if redundancy was the cause? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 
”
. That’s useful information 
. Thank for sharing these 
