Caption: An image showing a storefront photo on the left taken in landscape and a photo of a cathedral on the right taken in portrait orientation
Over the years there has been some discussion on whether it’s best to shoot our media for contribution on Maps in landscape or portrait and I see that @StevenBerlin has raised this very question in the discussion on the Top 100 Google Maps Local Guides Videos (May, 2025) post.
Interestingly, @Rednewt74’s reply was:
And @tony_b chipped in saying:
I have written about this subject before but will come back to that later. For now here is my view on the question, landscape or portrait?
When contributing photos and videos to Google Maps, it’s generally better to shoot in landscape orientation for photos, and for videos, there’s a bit more nuance, but landscape is often preferred or recommended by Google’s guidelines for certain types of content.
Here’s why:
For Photos (Landscape is generally preferred):
- Wider Field of View: Landscape orientation naturally captures a broader scene surrounding the main subject (e.g. storefront) and a more comprehensive view of all the details. This is excellent for showcasing landmarks, outdoor spaces, storefronts, and general ambiance, giving users a more comprehensive view of the location.
- Visual Perception: Our eyes are naturally set up for a wider, horizontal field of view so to me, landscape photos often feel more natural and immersive, especially when trying to understand a place.
- Display on Various Devices: While many users access Google Maps on mobile devices held vertically, landscape photos tend to display well across various screen sizes, including larger desktop monitors. Portrait images, when displayed on wider screens, can often result in significant blank space on the sides.
- Google’s Preference (Historically): While Google Maps’ display has evolved, many of the default image displays and thumbnails are still optimized for landscape orientation. Some users have reported issues with portrait photos being awkwardly cropped or “decapitated” when viewed on Android devices.
- Context: Landscape provides more context about the surroundings of a business or point of interest, which is highly valuable for someone exploring a location on a map.
For Videos (Landscape is often preferred, but portrait has its place):
- Google’s Guidelines (Historically): Some older Google Maps Community newsletters advised vertical videos for mobile users to avoid requiring device rotation. However, and this may come as a surprise to many, more recent information suggests that for general business videos, landscape is often preferred, especially for videos aimed at showcasing the overall environment.
- Cinema/Traditional Viewing: Most videos, especially for showcasing a place, are traditionally viewed in landscape mode (like movies or TV). This provides a more cinematic and immersive experience.
- Broader Information: Similar to photos, landscape videos can convey much more information about a space, making them ideal for virtual tours or showcasing the flow of a location (e.g. a short walk through a venue).
- Street View: For 360 videos for Street View, Google has specific guidelines, including keeping the camera upright and as high as possible, and generally maintaining a 2:1 aspect ratio which is a wide landscape format (See Google’s Tips for capturing 360 videos for Street View).
When Portrait Might Be Acceptable or Preferred:
- Tall Structures: As I mentioned in my previous Landscape or Portrait #1? post, for exceptionally tall subjects like cathedrals, clock towers (e.g. see @jayasimha78’s Clock Tower, University of California Riverside) skyscrapers, monuments, or waterfalls, a portrait orientation might be necessary to capture the entire height without losing significant context.
- Detailed Close-ups: If you’re focusing on a specific, vertical detail of a place (e.g., a menu board, a unique sign, or a specific piece of art), portrait might be more effective.
- Mobile-First Content (for some video platforms): With the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, vertical video has become more common and therefore, while Google Maps isn’t exclusively a “short-form” video platform, if your intent is a very quick, vertical mobile-first clip, it might get more views if it aligns with current vertical content consumption habits on mobile. However, in my view, this is more for “engagement” than providing comprehensive Map information about the place.
Caption: An image showing a mountain scene on the left taken in landscape and a photo of a skyscraper on the right taken in portrait orientation
General Tips for Google Maps Contributions:
- High Resolution: Always aim for high-resolution images and videos to ensure sharpness and clarity to help others see what a place is like.
- Well-lit and In Focus: Avoid blurry, dark, or washed-out/out-of-focus media (see Google’s Tips for posting media to Maps).
- Authenticity: Content should reflect a genuine experience and accurately represent the location. Avoid heavy filters, excessive alterations, or promotional content so those that like to edit take note that!
- Subject Centered: Regardless of orientation, ensure your primary subject is well-framed and in focus. Google’s AI may crop images, so keeping important elements centered is wise (Google’s Use the image editor to generate and edit images with Google AI is an interesting read).
- Variety (where appropriate): While landscape is often preferred, a mix of orientations can sometimes provide a more complete visual story, as long as each photo serves its purpose well.
So in summary, my view is that for most general photos and videos on Google Maps intended to showcase a place, landscape is the safer and often better choice for providing a comprehensive and visually appealing experience for users. Yes my view on this subject has changed and I hope that I have given you good enough reasons for this.