How to Use Videos to Promote Your Business on Google

No matter what platform you post content on, videos content typically results in higher engagement rates than other forms of content. To take full advantage of that, you want to do more than upload content to your website and social media pages. You should also consider adding video content to your Google Business Profile.

How to Use Videos to Promote Your Business on Google

Adding video to your Google Business Profile is a small task that can have a big impact. We’ll walk you through the process to make sure you understand how it’s done. After covering the basics, we’ll share some extra steps to help you optimize your videos. For the best results from your Google Business Profile, combine these with our tips and best practices for Google Business Profile questions and answers and Google Business Profile products.

Step 1: Make sure you meet all of the relevant guidelines.

Before you start the process of uploading a video to your Google Business Profile, make sure that it fits all of the Google video requirements.

Google has the following guidelines regarding video size for videos uploaded to a Google Business Profile:

• The file can be up to 75 MB
• The duration can be up to 30 seconds long
• The resolution should be 720p or higher

Your videos also need to comply with Google’s photo and video policies, which say:

• Your video must be relevant to your business
• Your video cannot be misleading
• Your video should not have distracting or automated images
• Your video cannot be inappropriate (be hateful, contain profanity or obscenity, encourage violence, be sexually suggestive, etc.)
• Your video must respect the privacy of people (have no personal financial, health, or contact information)
• Your video cannot include regulated services or products

Step 2: Upload videos from your computer via Google Search.

If the video you want to upload to your Google Business Profile is already on your computer, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Start by logging into your business’s Google account.
2. From there, find your company’s Google Business Profile. You can do this by typing your business name into the search bar or by clicking “View profile.”
3. Next, you can add your video to your Google Business Profile via the same process you would follow to upload photos.
4. Click on “Promote.”
5. Select “Add Photos.”
6. Choose your video to add it.

Step 3: Upload videos from your smartphone using Google Search.

There are two main methods of uploading videos to Google Business Profile from your smartphone. The first is via Google Search.

Adding videos via Google Search is done via the same steps outlined above for doing so from your computer. The only difference is that you are on your smartphone instead of your computer.

This process applies to both Android and Apple devices.

Step 4: Upload videos from your smartphone using Google Maps.

The process of adding videos via Google Maps is nearly identical to the processes above.

1. Open the application for Google Maps.
2. Confirm you are logged into your company’s Google account.
3. Click on the Account Circle in the top right (an image of a head and shoulders). Then, select “Your Business Profile.” This lets you access your company’s Business Profile.
4. Select “Promote.”
5. Choose “Add photos.”
6. Add your videos (or photos).

As with adding videos via Search, the steps are the same whether you have an Android or Apple device.

Step 5: Check your upload status.

To help prevent a Google Business Profile suspension or other issues, Google reviews photos and videos to ensure they meet its policies. Google updates your upload status to let you know what stage in the process your content is at.

• Pending – This means your video doesn’t appear on your profile yet. It is either still being processed or uploaded. You will also see this message if you haven’t verified your profile yet.
• Not approved – You will see this message if your video violates policies. It will not appear on your profile.
• Live – This indicates that your upload is complete, and customers can see the video on Maps or Search.

Step 6: Know how to remove videos.

At some point, you may decide you no longer want a specific video on your business account. If this happens, the process is simple. Keep in mind that this only works for videos and photos you added yourself. If a customer adds a photo or video you don’t want there, you will have to flag it for removal.

On your computer or via Google Search on your smartphone, do the following:

1. Log in to your company’s business account on Google.
2. Navigate to your Business Profile.
3. Choose “View profile” if necessary.
4. Select “Photos” and then “By owner.”
5. Select the photo or video you want to remove.
6. Select the trash can icon that appears on the top right, then select “Delete.”

On Google Maps on your smartphone, do the following:

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Open your Business Profile (Tap the Account Circle, then choose “Your Business Profile.”)
3. Select the “Photos” tab.
4. Select “By owner.”
5. Select the video to delete.                
6. Click on the menu in the top right corner, represented by three horizontal dots.
7. Select “Delete this photo.”
8. Confirm by pressing “OK.”

Video Best Practices for Your Google Business Profile

→Choose video topics that your customers will find interesting.

Remember that the point of uploading videos to your Google Business Profile is to engage with customers. To encourage that customer engagement, you need to share interesting content. What is interesting for them will depend on your customer base, but the following are some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing:

• Highlight company culture by uploading video footage from a team-building event
• Explain your company story
• Provide a virtual tour of the store, warehouse, office, etc.
• Introduce members of the team
• Showcase how you make a product
• Highlight your top products
• Introduce new products as part of your launch strategy

→Use good videography techniques.

As you record your video, do your best to follow good videography techniques. For example:

• Record horizontally instead of vertically on your phone 
• Ensure the area is well-lit
• Have a clear idea of what you want the video to represent or accomplish

→Encourage customers to upload videos as well.

In addition to creating your own videos to upload via your business profile, encourage customers to share videos relevant to your store as well. This is excellent for your local SEO, and it will likely make potential customers even more interested in your products or services.

→Monitor the customer videos.

While you want customers to upload videos, you don’t want them to do so completely unchecked. Make it a point to check the videos people upload to your Google Business Profile regularly. Use the flag tool as necessary. 

The impact of using video to promote your business

Most businesses will benefit from uploading video content to their Google Business Profile. Even so, it is smart to be aware of the pros and cons of doing so. 

Pros

Video is an excellent way to improve engagement and educate your customers.

Uploading videos to your Google Business Profile, doing keyword research, and uploading quality photos are all a part of a good local SEO strategy. 

You can find numerous business video ideas online if you aren’t sure what to include the next time you add a video to your Google Business Profile. 

Cons

Google limits videos for Google Business Profile to just 30 seconds. This means that the business video guidelines don’t let you post videos as long as some social media platforms. You may not be able to fit everything you want in 30 seconds. 

You need to remember to include captioning or subtitles to make your videos accessible to those with hearing impairments.

Customers can upload content without your approval. However, you can flag the uploaded videos. 

Conclusion

Google Business Profile videos give you another way to educate your audience and encourage customer engagement. Google makes it easy to upload from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. For the best results, focus on creating videos on topics that interest your customer base.