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.

In this article

• When to use
• Format
• URL guidelines
• Image guidelines
• Examples

When to use

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.

To format your data for Content API, see the Content API for Shopping resource.

URL guidelines

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

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://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. 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, submit a new URL for the new image. When you submit a new URL, the image will be recrawled within 3 days and the product is disapproved until the recrawl is completed. Keep in mind that if you change the image but keep the same URL, it may take up to 6 weeks to detect the change and recrawl the new image.
• Enable automatic image improvements. Google offers tools that can automatically improve your images, which may prevent offer disapprovals. Check to see 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.

Meet these image size requirements: Non-apparel images: at least 100 x 100 pixels Apparel images: at least 250 x 250 pixels 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:

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:

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.

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 see what they are buying. Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

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.

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)

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

Exception: Software logos or icons can represent your software product in this Google product category: Software > Computer Software (ID: 313)

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

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)

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 barcodes brand / manufacturer / retailer name brand / manufacturer / retailer logo Here's an example showing why we can't accept images that don't meet the requirement:

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:

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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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. We recommend images of at least 1500 x 1500 pixels. Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

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:

Use a solid white or transparent background. These background colors ensure that your image works with a variety of design elements. Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

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.

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.

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.

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:

Don't scale up an image or submit a thumbnail. Here's an example showing why we make this recommendation:

Examples