Image link [image_link]

Include the URL for your main product image with the image link [image_link] attribute. This image appears to potential customers in ads and free listings for your product.

Important: We recently announced new image size requirements of at least 500 x 500 pixels for all products beginning January 31, 2027. However, to ensure best performance in all listing formats, we recommend that you provide images 1500x1500 pixels or above.

👁 Image

On this page

When to use

👁 Required
Required for each product

If you have multiple, different images of the product, submit the main image using the image link [image_link] attribute, and include all other images in the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

Format

Follow these formatting guidelines to make sure Google understands the data you're submitting. Learn when and how to submit your product data in English.

Type	URL (including `http` or `https`), ASCII characters only, and RFC 3986 compliant
Limits	1 – 2,000 characters
Supported file formats	JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg), WebP (.webp), PNG (.png), GIF (.gif), BMP (.bmp), and TIFF (.tif/.tiff) The image's file extension should correspond to its format. Ensure your image links point to valid images in one of these supported formats. Using incorrect file extensions (for example .jpg for a .png file) can lead to 'Unsupported image type' errors. If images are synced from third-party platforms, verify they generate correct image URLs and formats.
Repeated field	No
Schema.org property (What’s this?)	`Product.image`, Type: `URL`

File format	Example entry
Text feeds	`https://www.example.com/image1.jpg`
XML feeds	`<g:image_link>https://www.example.com/image1.jpg</g:image_link>`

To format your data, check the Merchant API resource.

URL guidelines

Follow these guidelines to make sure your image URL is formatted so we can understand it.

Note: To ensure that this product data attribute gets recognized by our system correctly, remember to submit your data source file in a format that we support.

Minimum requirements

These are the requirements you'll need to meet to show your product. If you don't follow these requirements, we'll disapprove your product and let you know in your Merchant Center account.

Use a URL that points to an image in a supported file format.
Start with http or https and comply with RFC 3986. For example: http://www.example.com/image1.jpg.
Replace any symbols or spaces with URL encoded entities. For example, if your URL contains an ampersand ( & ), then replace it with %26. If your URL contains a comma ( , ), then replace it with %2C.
Make sure your URL can be crawled by Google. For example, ensure your robots.txt file is configured correctly to allow Googlebot and Googlebot-image access to your product images. Common configurations involve adding User-agent: Googlebot followed by Allow: / and User-agent: Googlebot-image followed by Allow: /. After updating your robots.txt file, re-upload or reprocess your product data source and allow 24-48 hours for changes to take effect. Learn more about robots.txt files.
Submit only one value. Only one value will be accepted for this attribute, and any subsequent entries will be ignored. If you want to submit multiple images, you can provide these using the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

Best practices

These best practices can help you go beyond the basic requirements to optimize your product data for performance.

Use a stable URL: The URL that you include shouldn’t change unless your image moves or is replaced. For example, don’t use URLs with timestamps or parts that could change each time you submit your product data. Whenever you change your URL, your image will need to be crawled and evaluated. This process could cause an unnecessary load on your servers.
Let Google know when you've added or updated an image, so we can crawl the image and get it appearing in your ads and free listings as soon as possible.
- Add an image for a new product: Before submitting new products, test some of your image links using the URL Inspection tool, which is available through Google Search Console. If you’re submitting a lot of new products, using this tool on a few links can help you detect issues before submitting product data. Once you submit your product data, the image will typically be crawled within 3 days. Learn more about the URL Inspection tool.
- Change an image for an existing product: If you need to change an image of an existing product, it is best to submit a new, unique URL for the new image in your image link [image_link] attribute. This signals a change to Google and prompts a faster recrawl, typically within 3 days (24-72 hours). If you update the image content but keep the same URL, it can take significantly longer (up to 6 weeks) for the system to detect and recrawl the new image. During the recrawl period after submitting a new URL, the product will be listed as "Under Review" until the new URL is processed successfully. We will continue to serve the prior image during this period until the new URL is processed.
Enable automatic image improvements: Google offers tools that can automatically improve your images, which may prevent offer disapprovals. Check if this tool would be a good fit for your account.

Image guidelines

Follow these guidelines to make sure your image meets our requirements and is optimized for the best performance.

Minimum requirements

These are the requirements you'll need to meet to show your product. If you don't follow these requirements, your product will be disapproved and you will be notified in the Diagnostics section of your Merchant Center account.

👁 Green checkmark

Meet these image size requirements:

At least 500 x 500 pixels
- When possible, we recommend that you provide images around 1500x1500 pixels or above to ensure best performance in all listing formats.
No image larger than 64 megapixels
No image file larger than 16MB

The result will be a high quality image displaying your product at its best. Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

👁 An example ad with a fuzzy image

👁 Green checkmark

Accurately display the entire product, and include minimal or no product staging. Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

👁 An example ad with a cropped image

Note: If you're planning to upload an image of a product in its original packaging, make sure that the image clearly displays multidimensional product packaging and not just the front of the packaging.

👁 Green checkmark Make sure your image shows all products in the bundle if you used the bundle [is_bundle] attribute to identify a bundle. This way users can clearly identify what is included.

👁 An illustration of a bundle that includes a camera body, lens, and bag

👁 Red X Don't use a placeholder or an image that doesn't show your product. Use the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute to submit other images that might be helpful to users, such as other views of the product or images that show the results of the product. Placeholders don’t allow users to clearly check what they are buying. Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

👁 An example of an ad that contains a placeholder image

👁 Red X Don't use a generic image, graphic, or illustration that is not the actual product image. You can add these types of images with the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

👁 Green checkmark

Exception: A generic image, graphic, or illustration is allowed for a product in these categories:

Hardware (ID: 632)
Vehicles & Parts (ID: 888)
Software > Computer Software (ID: 313)

👁 Illustrates an example of certain categories where you can include a generic image with measurements - in this case nail hardware

👁 Red X

Don't use a logo or icon instead of an actual product image.

👁 Green checkmark

Exception: Software logos or icons can represent your software product in this Google product category:

Software > Computer Software (ID: 313)

👁 An example of a company logo, in this case the "Google" logo

👁 Red X

Don't use a single-color image that is only a square of color.

👁 An example of an ad with a pattern for an image

👁 Green checkmark

Exception: A single-color image is allowed for a product in these Google product categories:

Vehicle Paint (ID: 3812)
Craft Paint, Ink & Glaze (ID: 505378)
Painting Consumables (ID: 503740)

👁 An example of an ad with an acceptable single color image in the paint shopping category

👁 Red X

Don't use an image that contains promotional elements or content that covers the product. Examples of promotional elements include:

calls to action, for example, buy
service-related information such as extended warranty
free shipping
price information
promotional adjectives, for example, best, cheap
condition or compatibility, for example, new, 2-piece, adaptable
Any overlay, for example, watermarks, brand names, logos (unless it's an inherent part of the product itself)
barcodes
brand / manufacturer / retailer name (unless it's an inherent part of the product itself)
brand / manufacturer / retailer logo (unless it's an inherent part of the product itself)

Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

👁 An example of an ad with a promotional element

👁 Red X

Don't use an image with a border. To ensure that your image works with a variety of design elements, don’t include borders around your image. Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

👁 Another example of an ad with a promotional element

👁 Red X

All images created using generative AI must contain meta data indicating that the image was AI-generated (for example, the IPTC DigitalSourceTypeTrainedAlgorithmicMedia metadata tag). Don't remove embedded metadata tags such as the IPTC DigitalSourceType property from images created using generative AI tools, for example Product Studio. The following IPTC NewsCodes specify the type of digital source that was used to create the image, and should be preserved:

TrainedAlgorithmicMedia: The image was created using a model derived from sampled content.
CompositeSynthetic: The image is a composite that includes synthetic elements.
AlgorithmicMedia: The image was created purely by an algorithm not based on any sampled training data (for example, an image created by software using a mathematical formula).

Best practices

These are the best practices that can help you go beyond the basic requirements to optimize your product data performance.

👁 Green checkmark Use an image that shows a clear view of the main product being sold. Any additional views of the product can be submitted with the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

👁 An example showing how additional images can appear alongside the main image

👁 Green checkmark

Submit a unique image that represents the distinguishing details of each variant. For example, you sell a couch with two variants, one is green and the other is blue. You submit the first variant, green, with an image of the green couch. You submit the second variant, blue, with an image of the blue couch. The green couch should not use an image of the blue couch, and vice versa.

👁 An illustration of a couch with product staging

Show the correct variant. Match the image you submit to the product that you’re selling, and ensure your image shows the correct color, pattern, and material (if applicable). Here's an example showing why we recommend that you show the correct variant.
👁 An example of an image in the product data that doesn't match what's on the landing page
For variants based on color, show only one variant. Don’t use an image that shows multiple variants.
Show the correct image. Don’t use an image that represents a non-customized product if you want to show a customized product, and vice versa. Learn more about the best practices for customized products.

👁 Green checkmark

Ensure the best performance by using the highest quality images. Submit the largest, highest resolution, full-size image you have for the product, up to 64 megapixels and 16MB file size.

Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

👁 An example ad with a low resolution image

👁 Green checkmark

Frame your product in the image space so that it takes up no less than 75%, but not more than 90%, of the full image.

Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

👁 An example of an ad with an image that's too small

👁 Green checkmark

Use a solid white or transparent background. In most cases, these background colors ensure that your image works with a variety of design elements. Staged or lifestyle images that clearly show the product are also acceptable.

Note: Don’t use a transparent background for images with light colors because they might show with a black background.

Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

👁 An example showing how different backgrounds can be distracting

👁 Green checkmark

Provide images of products worn by people for clothing (apparel) products. If you’re using a full-body image, avoid cropping the model’s head or feet. If you’re selling one article of clothing, such as a top, make sure your product is the focus of the image so customers understand what you’re selling. Show non-clothing products, such as shoes, handbags, or accessories, alone in your main images, and on a model in your additional images.

👁 Ensure best performance by providing images of products worn by people.

👁 Green checkmark Show a single unit of the product. If you’re using the multipack [multipack] attribute, the main image should be of a single unit. You can include additional images using the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

👁 An illustration showing a single unit of a product rather than multiple

👁 Green checkmark

Keep in mind that we may automatically crop your image as we experiment with the best display options for your product. The purpose of the cropping is to focus the image more on the product.

👁 Red X

Don't include any product that's not sold together with the main product. For example, if you sell a pair of shoes don’t include other accessories like a pair of glasses, a handbag or a dress in the photo unless the products are sold together.

Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

👁 An example ad with too many things in the product image

👁 Red X

Don't scale up an image or submit a thumbnail.

Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

👁 An example ad with a low resolution image

Note: You can increase resolution, remove backgrounds, and generate a scene for your products using Product Studio which is available for Merchant Center users and within the Google & YouTube app in Shopify.

Examples

For products with variants, submit the correct image of each variant so your users are sure what they’re clicking on.

👁 An example ad showing a shoe with different color variants

Product data for blue and orange Google shoes, men's size 8 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image1.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 8, blue and orange
Color `[color]`	blue/orange/purple
Size `[size]`	8
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-blu_or-M-8-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

Product data for green and brown Google shoes, men's size 8 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image2.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 8, green and brown
Color `[color]`	green/brown
Size `[size]`	8
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-grn_brn-M-8-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

Product data for black and white Google shoes, men's size 8 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image3.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 8, black and white
Color `[color]`	black/white
Size `[size]`	8
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-blk_wht-M-8-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

Variants that look the same

If your product varies only by size, but all sizes essentially look the same, you can use the same image for each variant. Still send users to the specific landing page for each variant using the link [link] attribute.

👁 An illustration of a shoe

Product data for blue and orange Google shoes, men's size 8 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image1.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 8, blue and orange
Color `[color]`	blue/orange/purple
Size `[size]`	8
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-blu_or-M-8-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

Product data for blue and orange Google shoes, men's size 9 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image1.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 9, blue and orange
Color `[color]`	blue/orange/purple
Size `[size]`	9
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-blu_or-M-9-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

Product data for blue and orange Google shoes, men's size 10 (US)
Attribute	Value
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/image1.jpg
Title `[title]`	Original Google shoes, men's size 10, blue and orange
Color `[color]`	blue/orange/purple
Size `[size]`	10
Size system `[size_system]`	`US`
ID `[id]`	8989-blu_or-M-10-US
Item group ID `[item_group_id]`	8989

For software subscriptions, you can submit either a generic image of the software box, such as you would submit for a physically boxed version of the software, or you can submit a logo.

👁 An example of a company logo, in this case the "Google" logo

Product data for Google Security Software priced at $29.90 USD
Attribute	Value
Title `[title]`	Google Security Software Basic Edition (1-year subscription)
Price `[price]`	29.90 USD
Google product category `[google_product_category]`	`Software > Computer Software > Antivirus & Security Software`
Brand `[brand]`	Google
MPN `[mpn]`	123GOOGLE432
GTIN `[gtin]`	1234567890123
ID `[id]`	G-ABC123
Shipping `[shipping]`	0.00 USD
Image link `[image_link]`	http://www.example.com/software-logo.jpg

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URL: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324350