Why Photos and Videos Rank Higher on Google Maps
Google reviews are no longer just opinions; they are ranking assets If you have ever wondered why certain reviews sit at the top of the “Most Relevant” section on Google Maps while others disappear into obscurity, the answer is clear. Photos and videos matter more than text alone. As a Google Business Profile Expert in Kerala, I constantly analyze how the algorithm changes. In this article, I will break down exactly how Google’s local search AI evaluates content, why visuals dominate the ranking order, and how you can ensure your reviews (or your customers’ reviews) consistently reach the top. The Short Answer (TL;DR)If you want a Google review to rank #1 in the sort order, here is the reality: Visuals Win: Photos and videos outperform text-only reviews 9 out of 10 times. Trust Signal: Visual content acts as “proof of location” (a key factor in fighting spam). Longevity: Reviews with media stay sticky—they often outrank newer reviews for months. The Combo: Text helps you get found; visuals help you rank. If you must choose one: Choose photos. For maximum impact: Photos + Descriptive Text = Perfect Ranking Review for your Business How Google Decides which Reviews are “Most Relevant” Google doesn’t rank reviews randomly. Behind the scenes, the local search algorithm evaluates usefulness, credibility, and semantic relevance; not just recency.The biggest shift in recent years is this: Google now treats visual content as data, not just decoration.This is where the “Vision AI” factor changes the game for Kerala businesses Don’t Let Them Win The “Vision AI” Factor: Google Reads Your Photos When you upload a photo with a Google review, Google processes it using Cloud Vision AI. It doesn’t just see pixels; it identifies entities. Objects Identified: Food, menus, furniture, crowds, and storefronts. Context: It matches the photo content to the business category. The Kerala Context: If you upload a photo of Rahmath Beef Biryani in Kozhikode, Google’s AI identifies:Entity: Food > Dish: Biryani > Meat: Beef > Context: Restaurant.That photo now acts like a Verified Keyword. It reinforces relevance for search queries like “best beef biryani near me” or “Rahmath restaurant dining.” In many cases, this visual signal is stronger than writing the word “Biryani” ten times. 2. The “Stickiness” of Visual Reviews One of the most overlooked behaviors in Local SEO is Review Stickiness. Reviews with photos tend to:– Stay at the top of the “Most Relevant” feed longer.– Push down newer, text-only reviews.– Revive older rankings (adding a photo to an old review can suddenly make it rank #1 again). Why? Because visuals prove authenticity. Fake reviews are a massive problem in Kerala. Competitors often spam listings with 1-star text reviews to hurt rankings. (I wrote a detailed guide on how to remove these fake competitor reviews and stop extortion recently).Google knows that photos are harder to fake than text. Therefore, the algorithm assigns a higher “Trust Score” to reviews with media, keeping them visible to users for longer. Google holds patents that specifically describe methods for ranking documents (like reviews) based on the relevance of their images to the text and the query.The Document: Patent US7877384B2 describes a system for “determining relevance of a document having text and images,” where an “image score” is calculated to indicate how relevant the image is to the text string.Implication: This confirms that the algorithm is engineered to value the content of the image, not just its existence. A photo relevant to the business (e.g., food) scores higher than a generic selfie. 3. Video Reviews: The New “Super Signal” If photos are powerful, videos are dominant. Google considers video the highest form of User-Generated Content (UGC).Why Google Prioritizes Video:– 360-Degree Context: It shows the real environment, hygiene, and crowd.– Hard to Fake: You cannot download a stock video and pass it off as your own easily; Google’s metadata analysis catches this.Engagement: Users spend more time watching a review than reading one. High “Dwell Time” = High Ranking.The Result: A 10-second video clip of the restaurant ambience will often outrank a 500-word text essay. 4. The Role of Text: Review Justifications If photos get your review ranked, text gets your review found.Google uses a feature called Review Justifications. This is when Google pulls a snippet of your text and bolds it in the search results to match a user’s query.Example: If your review explicitly mentions: “Jeerakasala rice” “Tender beef” “Ample parking availability” Google will highlight these phrases when someone searches for “parking” or “Jeerakasala.”The 200-Character Rule Google strongly favors reviews that are roughly 200+ characters (approx. 100 words). Short reviews like “Good food, nice place” are considered “Low Quality” and rarely trigger these bolded justifications. The Perfect Google Review Ranking Formula To consistently reach the top of the “Most Relevant” list, follow this hierarchy next time you leave a review (or ask a customer for one): Primary Signal: Visual Proof– Upload 1–2 clear photos or a short video.– Focus on specific dishes, menus, or the interior vibe. Secondary Signal: Context– Write a review longer than 200 characters.– Explain what is happening in the photo. Semantic Match– Mention exact names: “The beef biryani made with Jeerakasala rice…” instead of just “Great food.”– Include practical details: Parking, rush hours, waiting time. If you want your Google review to influence real user decisions and stay visible for months, photos and videos are non-negotiable.– Text explains.– Visuals validate.– Together, they win.Need help managing your reviews? If you are a business owner struggling to get your best reviews to show up, or if you are fighting against spammy 1-star ratings, your profile might need a semantic audit. Contact me for a Google Business Profile Audit and let’s get your reputation back on track.
