Google Authorship Profile Picture. Use Face or Something Else?

So here's something I can seem to find a real answer on. Does anybody use something other than their face for their Google Authorship profile picture?

I'm wanting to try it out for one of my personal blogs, however I'm a very private type of person (my face was burned with acid) and I'd like to use a custom made symbol or something. Heheh

The thing is is that Google says, "Make sure you have a profile photo with a recognizable headshot."

Really I have to show my face? Now I'm sure that the process is automated but say someone doesn't like that I'm using a symbol or whatever and they decide to complain. Do I (heheh ><) get a email warning to show my face or else?

I mean c'mon. Seriously though...??? Or does Google use some sort of algorithm to make sure there is something resembling a face in the picture?

Has anyone used or seen someone use somethign else other than a human face before for Google Authorship?

Just use a picture that you find on google.

It doesn't matter but yes it has to be a real picture of someone's face.

I used my own, and I'm a really private person too... I just didn't care.

It's not like anyone will notice your 100x100px picture.

As long as you get past Google's acceptable policy you can use what ever you want, but I always found a characiture is the best way to straddle this grey area

I use my real face cause I want my face associated with my content. BTW Dollmaker your making a wise choice for hooking-up with G+ before it gets saturated and spammed out--and it will eventually.

LMS1066 said:

BTW Dollmaker your making a wise choice for hooking-up with G+ before it gets saturated and spammed out--and it will eventually.

Click to expand...

Saturated? I'm starting to hate that word, since it's only used in completely irrelevant conversations...

And spammed out? The whole point of AuthorRank is to prevent spamming with the idea of collecting all the content under one quality profile that helps you rank over the said spam. Sure at this point you're getting even more out of the system, as not many have yet adopted to it, but it's not really going to get that much worse in the future, as many people won't publish anything in their own name, nor will they create fake profiles.

i don't have a "headshot" as a picture, I have a painting i found on the internet. Funny thing is, I cannot remove it. It's locked in and has been ever since I deleted my google+ account. It transferred that picture over to my gmail. Google is too concerned with you verifying your identity for the world to see, however, they already know who you are most likely if you use their services. Anonymity isn't just used for nefarious purposes, it is also a safety matter.