After reviewing years of contributions, I noticed that a small number of my photos account for an unusually large percentage of my total views.
Many of these photos have accumulated millions of views, and they often share similar characteristics. This made me curious about what users find most useful when viewing photos on Google Maps.
I’m interested in understanding whether certain types of images help users identify locations more easily, understand what to expect when they arrive, or otherwise improve their experience using Maps.
Has anyone else noticed recurring patterns among their highest-performing photos?
I’d be interested in hearing observations from other contributors who have accumulated significant photo views over time.
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I’m sorry, @TuxedoKatPro
Somebody need to break the news to you. Sharing private photos with recognizable faces are not allowed on Google Maps.
The focus should be on the places and not some random dude raising his thumb in the foreground of photos.
It’s a distraction and a privacy issue.
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No, @TuxedoKatPro. I take great care not to be in any of my photos, nor to include other family members or recognisable people. If it happens accidentally, I decline to upload it or delete it if I discover it later.
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I agree @tony_b and I do the very same.
@TuxedoKatPro Google Maps is not meant to share personal memories. For that, you should use Google Photos. Google Maps instead is meant to provide useful information for people searching places.
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That’s interesting. Many of my highest-viewed photos do include David, but they’re also wide shots showing the storefront, signage, and entrance. I became curious because people have actually started recognizing him from Maps. I’m less interested in proving a point and more interested in understanding why certain photos seem to resonate with users.
Hello @TuxedoKatPro, I highly suggest reading @ErmesT’s article Selfies? No Thanks!
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Hi @TuxedoKatPro
Are you a user of Google Maps?
If so, what are you looking for when you explore a place before to visit it?
A selfie, someone with a cat somewhere near the business, or a storefront, a dish, something that tell you how the place appears?
What story is telling you your list of most viewed photos?
Is it helpful to have a photo posted in 2 or 3 different places? Honestly no, and it’s also a behavior that, if reported, can be penalized with a ban. And it can be also the reason why 90 of your reviews and 203 of your photos are not publicly visible.
E.g. I well know that The Late show (sadly now ended) was hosted on the Ed Sullivan Theater, but adding the same photos in both places is against the rules. Personally I carefully selected what to post in the Theater and what to post in the Show.
So please, even if you just wanted to understand why some photos are getting more views than others, consider to remove some useless content
Thank you
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