My four most-viewed Google Maps photos all have something very specific in common.
They’re all wide interior shots of large department stores — three of Dillard’s and one Nordstrom.
No dramatic scenery.
No elaborate editing.
No unusual subject matter.
Just clear photos showing people what the store actually looks like inside.
So far, they’ve reached roughly:
3.7 million views
3.3 million views
2.5 million views
1.6 million views
That changed how I shoot for Google Maps.
Now, almost anywhere I visit, I try to get at least a couple of wide-angle shots.
Usually one near the entrance, plus another from an area that gives a good overall sense of the location.
I’m looking for:
• The overall layout
• Clear sightlines through the space
• The main features, merchandise, or amenities
• A realistic view of what someone can expect when they visit
• No identifiable people whenever possible. I make a real effort to avoid them, and if someone does end up in the shot, I blur their face before posting.
I’ll often wait for people to move, shift my angle, or take the shot from another part of the space. I want the location to be the subject of the photo, not the people in it.
These photos don’t have to be artistic.
They just have to be useful.
A great food photo can help someone decide what to order.
A great exterior can help them recognize the entrance.
And a good wide-angle shot can answer one of the most basic questions people have before visiting:
“What does this place actually look like?”
Sometimes simple and useful wins.
What type of Google Maps photo gets the most views for you?
