What is the Search By Photos SERP Feature?
The Search By Photos SERP feature provides photos from local businesses, often accompanied by a star rating and distance information. This feature is designed to help users visually identify local businesses relevant to their search query.
Placement and Status
- Placement: Paid, and sometimes organic
- Status: Active
- Device: Smartphone
- Ranking URL: Google Only
Functionality:
- Position: This feature does not have a fixed position on the SERP but typically appears below the Local Pack.
- Visual Display: Displays photos from local businesses, enhancing visual appeal and engagement.
- Interaction: Clicking on a photo takes the searcher to the Google My Business (GMB) listing for the associated business.
Importance:
The Search By Photos feature enhances the local search experience by providing visual insights into local businesses, making it easier for users to find and choose businesses based on photos.
Benefits for Users:
- Visual Appeal: Provides a quick visual reference to local businesses, helping users make decisions based on images.
- Convenient Information: Often includes star ratings and distance, offering additional context about the business.
- Direct Access: Clicking on photos directs users to the GMB listing, where they can find more detailed information and contact the business.
Benefits for Businesses:
- Increased Visibility: Featuring in the Search By Photos carousel can significantly boost a business's visibility in local searches.
- Enhanced Engagement: High-quality photos can attract more clicks and engagement from potential customers.
- Positive Impressions: Star ratings and distance information can help build trust and draw in more local customers.
How to Optimize for Search By Photos:
- Optimize Google My Business Listing: Ensure your GMB listing is complete, accurate, and regularly updated.
- High-Quality Photos: Upload high-resolution, appealing photos that accurately represent your business.
- Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews and high star ratings can enhance your business's attractiveness in this feature.
- Local SEO: Implement strong local SEO practices to increase the likelihood of your business appearing in local search features.
Reporting in Search Tools:
- Carousel Parsing: Tools like Ranktracker parse this feature as a carousel, attributed to Google since no site URLs are available.
- Rating Feature: When ratings are present, the Ratings feature is also applied to the result, providing additional insights into business performance.
By optimizing for the Search By Photos SERP feature, local businesses can enhance their visibility and attract more customers through visually engaging search results on mobile devices.
