# Google Business Profile Photos, Posts, and Customer Actions > Post honest, current photos and updates, know what Google controls about display, and test the call, booking, directions, and website buttons like a customer would. Canonical: https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/photos-posts-and-customer-actions/ **Maintained by Vassal Marketing** ยท Last updated on September 26, 2026 Reviewed at least quarterly and whenever a platform or rule it cites changes. General information, not legal or professional advice. Check rules that affect your business with a qualified professional. Use real, current photos and updates that help a customer recognize you and take the next step. Then test every button on your profile to make sure it goes where it should. ## Why this matters Photos and updates answer practical questions before a customer calls or visits. They cause problems when a photo no longer matches reality, an offer has expired, or a button sends people to the wrong number, page, or place. Google decides how profile content appears. Picking a cover photo doesn't mean it will always show first. Posts may be reviewed before they go live, and the fields and buttons you get depend on your category and country. ## Responsible practices ### Show the business as it is Use current, clear, well-lit photos of your actual location, team, work, or products, with permission. Avoid heavy filters, big edits, or AI changes that would mislead a customer. ### Choose a logo and cover photo Pick a clear logo and a cover photo that represents you well. Google may still show a different photo depending on what the searcher is looking for. ### Post updates with a real purpose Use updates, offers, and events for current news. Check dates, terms, links, and photos first. Google archives posts after six months unless they have a date range. ### Keep phone numbers out of post text Google warns that phone numbers inside post descriptions may get the post rejected. Keep the profile's phone number correct and let customers use the call button. ### Test every button on a phone Open your profile on a phone and try the call, website, booking, menu, ordering, and directions buttons. Make sure each one goes somewhere you can deliver on today. ### Don't plan around features Google removed Some profile features no longer exist. Google turned off profile chat on July 31, 2024, so customers can no longer message you through the profile. Websites built with Business Profiles (business.site addresses) were turned off in March 2024, and their redirects ended June 10, 2024. Google also retired its Q&A programming interface on November 3, 2025, while changing how questions work on profiles, and the old Q&A section has been disappearing. Check what your own profile shows today, and point customers to your website, phone, or booking link instead. ## What to do next 1. List your current logo, cover photo, photos, videos, posts, offers, events, and buttons. 2. Remove photos you control that are outdated, misleading, or unapproved. 3. Before each post, confirm the photo source, permission, dates, terms, and link. 4. Take down expired offers and events, and review posts before the six-month archive point. 5. Test every button on a phone and note where it goes and when you last checked. ## Avoid these failures - Using stock, AI-generated, heavily edited, or borrowed images as if they show your business - Telling customers to message you on Google, or linking to an old business.site website - Leaving expired offers, wrong links, or broken buttons live - Assuming that posting more often will raise your ranking Google makes the final call on verification, features, display, restrictions, and ranking, so no one can guarantee results. [What Google controls](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile.md). ## Questions business owners ask ### Will Google always show my chosen cover photo first? No. Choosing a cover photo tells Google your preference, but it may show a different photo depending on the search and photo quality. ### How long do Google Business Profile posts stay visible? Google says posts older than six months are archived unless they have a date range. Still review events and offers so their terms and links stay accurate. ### Can I use AI-generated images on my profile? Profile photos should show reality. Google advises against big edits, heavy filters, or AI changes. Don't use generated or altered images that could mislead customers about your business, place, work, or people. ## Primary guidance - [Google: Add photos or videos](https://support.google.com/business/answer/6123536) - [Google: Create and manage posts](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7342169) - [Google: Guidelines for representing your business](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177) - [Google: Changes to Business Profile chat and call history](https://support.google.com/business/answer/14919056) - [Google: Websites made with Business Profiles](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7178589) - [Google for Developers: Q&A API change log](https://developers.google.com/my-business/content/qanda/change-log) ## Related profile management guides - [Google Business Profile Accuracy, Eligibility, and Business Information](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/profile-accuracy.md): Keep an eligible profile with your real business name, an honest location or service area, specific categories, current hours, and working links. - [Google Business Profile Reviews and Responsible Responses](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/reviews-and-responses.md): Ask every customer for a review the same way, reply carefully and privately where needed, learn from feedback, and report only reviews that break Google's rules. - [Google Business Profile Monitoring, Measurement, and Recovery](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/monitoring-and-measurement.md): Check your profile on a schedule, read performance numbers carefully, and fix the problem before appealing a suspension or restriction. [Open the complete Google Business Profile checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/google-business-profile-checklist.md) or [explore all profile management guides](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile.md).