Google updates Merchant Center product image quality guidelines

Google has updated its product image quality guidelines in Merchant Center. Previously, products with poor images could be blocked from showing on Google. Under the update, poor image quality alone should no longer stop a product from being shown.

What changed in the update?

• Poor image quality: Blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution images are categorized as poor quality.
• Minimum image size: Starting January 31, 2027, all product images must be at least 500 × 500 pixels. Google began issuing warnings for images smaller than this in July 2026.
• Promotional overlays: Products may still be disapproved if the image includes promotional text, such as “Buy Now,” prices, shipping details, special offers, or other promotional terms.
• Automatic image improvements: Google’s Automatic Image Improvement feature can fix certain image issues, but it can’t fully resolve complex problems like excessive text or large watermarks.

Google has relaxed the rule that kept products from being displayed because of poor image quality. However, the minimum image size and promotional overlay rules are still mandatory.

Merchants should still check their product images against the 500 × 500 requirement before the January 31, 2027 deadline, and remove any promotional text from images to avoid disapprovals.

This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová.