Google Merchant Center image requirements: size, the 2027 500 × 500 rule and text on images
Two image problems get Merchant Center products disapproved more than any other: the image is too small, or it has promotional text or a watermark on it. And the size rule is about to get stricter.
Image size: the new 500 × 500 rule
Google has announced that all product images must be at least 500 × 500 pixels, with enforcement starting January 31, 2027.
| Until January 31, 2027 | From January 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | at least 250 × 250 px | at least 500 × 500 px |
| Everything else | at least 100 × 100 px | at least 500 × 500 px |
| Maximum | 64 megapixels and 16 MB | 64 megapixels and 16 MB |
Since July 2026, Merchant Center shows warnings on images that meet today’s minimum but are under 500 × 500. For YouTube Shopping ads on TV, 500 × 500 is already required.
Google’s recommendations:
- For the best performance everywhere, use 1500 × 1500 pixels or larger.
- The product should fill 75%–90% of the image.
- Don’t submit thumbnails or upscale small images.
Find images affected by the 2027 rule: on the Needs attention tab, select View history and look for the orange warnings “Image too small for upcoming enforcement” and “Image resolution optimizations applied”. Click View fix → Download impacted products for the list.
Text on image (promotional overlays)
Product images must show an unobstructed, clean view of the product. Products with overlays are disapproved until the image is replaced. Google says to avoid:
- calls to action — “Buy”, “Shop now”;
- price and shipping — discounts, “Free shipping”;
- service claims — “Includes 2-year warranty”;
- promotional adjectives — “Best”, “Cheap”, “Top quality”;
- condition or compatibility labels — “New”, “2-piece set”;
- barcodes and QR codes laid over the photo;
- watermarks, copyright symbols, graphic stamps;
- logos or store names added afterwards — allowed only if they’re physically part of the product.
AI-content labels added through Google’s AI label settings don’t count as a violation.
Let Google fix overlays automatically
Automatic image improvements (off by default) try to remove text, watermarks, overlays and logos and replace the image. Turn it on in Products → Automations tab → image improvements → View details → toggle on.
It won’t always work: if Google can’t fix an image without lowering its quality — for example collages, heavy text over the product, or dense watermarks — the original stays, and you need to upload a clean image.
How to replace images
One product: Products → Needs attention → filter for the issue → select the product → Edit product → replace the image (or change the image link [image_link] URL) → Save.
Many products: on Needs attention, filter and download the affected list (.csv), update the image link URLs in your product data, and re-upload.
Changes can take 24–72 hours to show on the Needs attention page.
Product Studio in Merchant Center (also in the Google & YouTube app on Shopify) can increase resolution, remove backgrounds and generate scenes.
If your images come from Shopify, see Shopify product image size. For all product statuses, see Merchant Center product status.