Should Photos on Google Local Guides be Edited?

Google Maps contribution stories
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  • I am reallly interested to know what the local guide community thinks about this. Some would argue that, when camera quality is poor, editing enables you to create something closer to what the naked eye sees. Others, like myself, believe that photos should be presented without editing as this is the most honest representation of the place or product. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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I think you are right but sometimes the photos need to crop it to delete something not nice in background maybe but I’m with the photos must put without any editing

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hi @JustineE

please read this post: 3 tips for editing your photos using your phone

According to “Stylistic adjustments” chapter of Format Specific Criteria of Google Maps Guide:

  • Stylistic adjustments (such as applied filters) are acceptable, provided that these stylistic changes are minimal and are not appended elements such as borders, text, collaged images, etc.
  • Content that makes it difficult for others to understand the environment you’re sharing may be rejected.
  • Examples are excessively dark or blurry images, significantly rotated compositions, and use of filters that dramatically alter the representation of the place.
  • Images must be of a sufficient resolution. Exact requirements may vary by photo type and point of upload.
  • Screenshots, drawings, posters and other non–photos, other than videos, should not be uploaded.
  • For videos, only upload content that is stable and has good visual quality. Content that is out of focus, shaky, or has bad exposure should not be uploaded. Distorted or corrupted videos are not allowed.

Hope this can help you

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Hi @ErmesT

Thanks for this information. It certainly makes sense - if your picture is too dark or blurry no-one can see it. Cropping makes sense to remove unnecessary background images. However, although Google kind of okays filters, I won’t use them. I am fortunate that my phone camera is relatively good and I really want to show places exactly as they are. To me this is an aspect if Google Maps which makes it so authentic and a source of real and reliable information. Thanks and have a great day.

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Of course @JustineE

I wanted just to show you what is permitted by Google Maps.

I am not usually editing my photos. But sometime in a low light you can loose saturation, or you may not have natural light on the evening in a restaurant, so that what your camera capture is quite different from what you expect to get. Editing a bit a photo is my last choice in any case, as I prefere to have (or to create) the good conditions for taking it.

In any case, I don’t want to make a dish, or a place, better than how the place is, as I think that this means giving a wrong information too

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Thank you @ErmesT . The information you shared has been very helpful in allowing me to better understand how Google Maps works and why. I really appreciate your feedback.

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