Videos
Videos can bring your business to life in ways photos can't. They're optional, but increasingly valuable. Here's how to create and upload effective videos for your listing.
Should You Add Videos?
What to do
Videos aren't essential, but they can significantly enhance your listing. Consider whether they're right for your business.
Step by step
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Videos stand out. In a sea of static photos, video catches attention. They can differentiate your listing from competitors.
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Videos show what photos can't. The bustle of a busy café, the skill of a craftsman at work, the warmth of a team greeting customers — movement brings your business to life.
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Videos require more effort. Unlike photos, videos need to be planned, recorded, and possibly edited. Only add them if you can do them well.
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Bad videos hurt more than no videos. A shaky, dark, boring video makes a worse impression than no video at all. Don't add videos for the sake of it.
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Consider your business type. Some businesses benefit more from video: restaurants (food being prepared), salons (transformations), active businesses. Others work fine with just photos.
Examples by industry
Videos could show: your van setup, the quality of your work, a quick intro from you. But if you can't do it well, photos are fine.
Videos work great: coffee being poured, food coming out of the kitchen, the atmosphere at busy times. Shows the experience customers will have.
Videos showing a modern, calm practice environment can reduce dental anxiety. A brief intro from the dentist builds trust.
A professional intro video could work, but isn't expected. Photos are generally sufficient for professional services.
Google's Video Requirements
What to do
Make sure your videos meet Google's technical requirements before recording.
Step by step
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Duration: Up to 30 seconds. Keep it short and engaging. Google won't accept longer videos.
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File size: Maximum 75MB. Most 30-second phone videos are well under this.
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Resolution: Minimum 720p. Most modern phones exceed this easily.
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Stable footage: Shaky video looks unprofessional. Use both hands, brace your arms, or ideally use a tripod.
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Represent your actual business: Like photos, videos must show your real business. No stock footage.
Video Ideas for Your Business
What to do
Not sure what to film? Here are proven video types that work well for business profiles.
Step by step
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Quick business intro: 20-30 seconds showing your space, what you do, and a brief welcome. Can include you talking to camera or just footage with text.
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Behind the scenes: Show your process — making food, working on a project, preparing for the day. Customers love seeing how things are made.
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Walk-through tour: A smooth walk through your premises from entrance to key areas. Shows the space better than static photos.
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Product/service demonstration: Show your product in action or a service being delivered.
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Team introduction: Brief shots of team members with their names/roles (can be text overlays). Humanises your business.
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Customer experience: What does it look like when a customer visits? (Be careful about showing identifiable customers without permission.)
Examples by industry
Quick intro of you explaining your services, footage of your van and equipment, clips of completed work. Keep it professional and reassuring.
Shots of coffee being made, food being plated, happy customers, the interior atmosphere. Show the experience customers will have.
A calm walk through the practice, modern equipment, friendly team members. Designed to reduce anxiety about visiting.
Could do a brief professional intro, tour of the office, but video isn't essential for this industry.
Tips for Filming Good Videos
What to do
Apply these techniques to get the best quality from your phone videos.
Step by step
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Landscape orientation: Hold your phone horizontally, not vertically. Landscape videos look more professional and display better.
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Keep it steady: Use both hands, brace against something, or use a small tripod or phone mount. Shaky video is the #1 thing that looks amateur.
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Good lighting: The same principles as photos apply. Natural light is best. Make sure your subject is well-lit.
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Move slowly and smoothly: If panning or walking, move much slower than feels natural. Fast movements look jerky on video.
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Keep it short: You have 30 seconds max, but even shorter can be better. A punchy 15-second video often works better than 30 seconds of padding.
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Consider sound: Videos can have audio. If there's distracting background noise, consider filming when it's quieter, or accept that sound might not be ideal.
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Multiple takes: Record the same thing several times and choose the best take.
**A cheap phone tripod (£10-15) makes a huge difference.** Shaky video is the biggest giveaway of amateur footage. Even a simple tripod grip for your phone dramatically improves quality.
Basic Video Editing
What to do
You don't need professional editing software. Your phone or free tools can handle basic video editing.
Step by step
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Trim the start and end: Cut any awkward beginnings (you pressing record and stepping back) or endings.
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Cut boring sections: If the middle drags, cut it down. Keep only the most engaging footage.
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Consider adding text: A simple text overlay with your business name or key message can be effective.
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Don't over-edit: Simple cuts are fine. Flashy transitions and effects usually look tacky. Keep it clean and professional.
Free Video Editing Tools
What to do
These free tools can handle basic video editing for your business videos.
Step by step
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On iPhone: iMovie (free) or the built-in Photos app can trim and do basic edits.
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On Android: Google Photos can trim videos. InShot (free with ads) is a popular option for more editing.
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On computer: DaVinci Resolve (free, powerful), Clipchamp (Windows, free), iMovie (Mac, free).
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Online: Canva (free version does basic video), Kapwing (free tier available).
Uploading Videos to Your Profile
What to do
The process for uploading videos is similar to photos.
Step by step
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Sign in to business.google.com and go to your listing.
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Go to the Photos section — videos are managed here too.
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Look for "Add video" or select video when adding media. Upload your video file.
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Wait for processing. Videos take longer to process than photos. It may take several hours before your video appears.
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Videos are reviewed. Google checks videos for guideline compliance, which can add to processing time.
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Check your listing after 24 hours to confirm the video is live.
**Video rejections are common.** If your video doesn't appear, it may have been rejected. Common reasons: too long (over 30 seconds), inappropriate content, doesn't clearly show your business, or technical issues. Try again with a new video that addresses the issue.