In previous post (video killed the photo views stars) I explained how Google map is now utilizing much more uploaded videos for featured media.
Over the last month, I’ve continued experimenting more with short video uploads to see how they perform compared to photos.
My conclusion is that it has indeed become more difficult than in the past to get a photo featured as the #1 spot on a local business or point of interest page, even with a perfectly framed front-view shot or nice interior scene.
However, videos still seem to have a better chance of appearing in one of the top spots, especially if the location hasn’t had any videos uploaded yet.
As we’ve discussed previously, some of my videos have gained huge numbers of views even without being featured directly on the place page.
This led me to discover the Maps “Explore” feature as a major factor driving these off-page views.
The Explore section dominates with video content, sometimes in odd and unexpected ways. I’ve seen videos from very local small stores and even stalls ranked at the top of the Explore list for an entire major city.
Figuring out which geographical area a video ends up featured in—whether neighborhood, borough, city, or country—seems quite arbitrary.
The logic behind the curation is a mystery.
This helps explain why some non-featured videos have racked up tens of thousands of views over 4-5 weeks.
They’ve likely been benefiting from long-term placement in an Explore feed.
The refresh cycles for Explore content aren’t clear either (any input welcome).
But while a video is featured there, it’s a great opportunity to attract plenty of off-page exposure.
So in summary, combining location relevance with a good mix of short video uploads still appears one of the best strategies. Videos have clearly become Maps’ new favorites.
30 Likes
@abermans
The Primark views are very unusual. Do you have examples of this from other pins?
Having one photo gaining a lot more than others can be seen. But quite redundant images to one place is not something I have seen before. Maybe someone created a robot to rake up the views for some strange reason.
Cheers
Morten
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@MortenCopenhagen
Well, the Primark location is massively popular (25k reviews) and my uploads got “explored” in Mayfair/Marylebone which are VERY touristy areas in London.
What I am a little surprised about is the rate of refresh for “explore” feed in popular areas, as I assume people uploads 1000s of media items per minute to maps in these locations (thinking Camden Town or London).
If the feed is not customized/dynamic assembled but refreshed every few hours, you will get many views for small number of media pieces in short time.
It should be that there is some preferences for ranked local guides with many reviews in that local area, as I can’t otherwise explain why would I get so many featured videos in the explore section.
Yes, I have many such samples from the last month.
Also interesting to try and analyse the rate of decline as these videos would be “pushed down” (?) or removed from the explore feed.
I need to double check using some friend or family google account -to see are they getting the same feed which I get for the same locations…
To be continued.
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One tip, @abermans
While it is a violation to have more than one Google account signed up for the Local Guides program, it is okay to have more Google Account using Maps. So there is no need to bother friends and family for such tests.
I’m looking forward to learn more from your t st. Kindly tag me when some results are in.
Cheers
Morten
3 Likes
@MortenCopenhagen
I did a check on beloved’s account (not a guide or following anyone).
Shockingly in explore London (the whole place), I have about 18 shared videos from the weeks in the top 30-40. Including 1st place.
Also when exploring Camden and Marylebone which I visited recently, I also seem to be very popular - again, almost ALL are videos. I uploaded even more photos but it is the videos that are used almost exclusively in the explore feature.
You can try and check yourself and let me know if you see differently.
I wonder if it is because I am a “heavy” local guide in London which causes the algorithm to pick me so frequently.
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@abermans
When I search for “London, UK” on Android I get the standard turist page which is different from the normal explore tab.
These photos are the old AI-selected photos chosen to represent London and this is not the Explore tab for London.
I’m not sure how to open/find the explore tab for London. Do I zoom in tight or zoom out and center the zoom where to get the best Explore tab?
Any I dears. In my brief hunt, I did not see any of your photos, @abermans . I would not be surprised if Google designed the app to show more of our own images to keep us pleased 
Cheers
Morten
@MortenCopenhagen When you are zoomed over an area, the Explore tab will update to say “Latest in xxx.” Finding Camden, and zooming a bit, your annoyingly protruding Explore window should change to Latest in Camden, or de-selecting the London POI, zooming a bit should give you “Latest in London.”
1 Like
@MortenCopenhagen
Sorry for late reply. Been out and about in Shoreditch today (so I expect another area to be pumped when I get time for uploads after these pre Xmas outing, freezing but I am glad to be out of the home office + need to keep map contributions when we can).
As for explore, you get it when stepping BACK from search location to map.
So if you search for London one step back on maps should open the explore option.
Same searching for neighborhood or specific location. Step back to map, should put explore option on.
Also explore mode is on, if moving the map (say between boroughs) the explored area should change to the map focal area.
darn, my London has so many stored locations.
Thanks I made it to view Latest in Camden Town. You are definitely the top contributor of videos.
Congratulations.
Cheers
Morten
1 Like
