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Google Merchant Center Images: Requirements & AI Rules

AI Image Requirements for Google Merchant Center

AI Image Requirements for Google Merchant Center

Valid product images are a huge part of Google Merchant Center management, leading to increased sales.

Google recognizes that more retailers are relying on AI tools to enhance shopping data; it now requires AI-generated product image data to be identified on the Merchant Center (MC) platform as being AI-generated. For Google Merchant Center product images, ensure they meet specific requirements, whether you use its AI product tool, a professional photographer, or your own camera lens.

This article discusses how providing high-quality, well-formatted images makes products more appealing, encouraging shoppers to click and potentially buy.

Table of Contents

Can I use AI-generated product images in my Google Merchant Feed?

Yes, with its Product Studio tool, Google has integrated AI-powered image editing into Google Merchant Center. Using generative AI, this tool allows merchants to generate new product images, remove backgrounds, improve resolution, and more. It is also available to sellers on Merchant Center Next. By offering this feature directly within its platform, the tech giant may avoid possible image ownership or infringement issues with other AI image generators.

Before you change your image creation and optimization processes for your website and MC, consider whether it’s worth the effort. The Google Product Studio tool can be a time saver.

Why Adhering to Image Guidelines Matters?

Professional-quality images help you reach your target customer and sell more products.

Images of your products are a significant factor in customer purchase decisions. When searchers rely on Google Shopping, they begin their shopping experience with imagery. Investing in how you visually present your retail items should be clear and compelling and lead to increased sales.

“The Google trusted stores badge, is reliant on achieving certain criteria, and for images it is having up to 8 images and in sizes of 1300 pixels or larger. So I recommend that you focus on starting to take a larger picture for your new products so that you can work towards getting a trusted store badge.” – Google Merchant Center Image Size Requirements

While there are new guidelines, AI-augmented images must adhere to the standard product image best practices and rules. So, I’ll discuss that first.

Image Requirements for a Google Shopping Listing

Multiple factors are involved in ensuring that your product images display accurately and effectively in shopping ads. Adherence means avoiding a future policy flag or merchant suspension at any time.

  • Composition.
  • File format.
  • Naming convention.
  • Resolution.
  • Size.
  • URL
  • Weight.

Details of Merchant Center Image Requirements

Image Content or Composition:

Images should accurately display the product.

When composing product images, avoid the following:

  1. Promotional text.
  2. Watermarks.
  3. Borders.
  4. Placeholder images.
  5. Generic images.
  6. Images that scale the product.
  7. Lack of product image contrast with the background.
  8. Using a logo is not permitted.

Image File Formats:

Acceptable formats include JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg), WebP (.webp), PNG (.png), non-animated GIF (.gif), BMP (.bmp), and TIFF (.tif/.tiff).

Image Size Guidelines

For general products, Google states that qualifying image sizes for its Merchant Center (MC) should be at least 100×100 pixels, while apparel images require a minimum of 250×250 pixels. However, larger screens need larger formats, which allow you to show off the details and quality of your item.

  1. An ideal main image size is 1500 x 1500 pixels.
  2. Keep images under 64 megapixels.
  3. Keep images under 16 MB.

Both too-small and too-big images commonly cause Google Merchant Center account errors. This could potentially prevent your listing from going live.

Image URL Guidelines

The URL should be a stable, direct link to the image, start with “http” or “https”, and follow RFC 3986 guidelines.

Resolving image URL issues:

  • Broken links: Image URLs must lead to a valid image file, not a redirect or a web page.
  • Incorrect redirects: Image URLs shouldn’t redirect through scripts like ASP, PHP, or ColdFusion.

Image Weight (File Size) Guidelines

Google sets maximum limits for image file size to ensure a good user experience. Huge images load slowly, especially on mobile connections.

  1. Maximum File Size: Your image file must not exceed 16MB (Megabytes).
  2. Maximum Resolution: The image dimensions (width x height) must not exceed 64 megapixels.

Additional Google Merchant Center Image Tips:

Image spacing:

Google recommends that the product occupy at least 75% of the image but not more than 90%. The main content should be centered. Your owned media will display better when shoppers view your products with some background around the edges. Think of how the image can be recognizable from thumbnail size to its full version.

Avoid generic images:

Use your own, unique images. This will help build your brand recognition in the free Google Shopping tab. Generic images often mean that your ad will be disapproved when adding Google ads. If you have changed your product, update its images at the same time of publication. Do not enter the [image_link] field with a default when advertising.

Each product image needs to pass acceptance by the Merchant Center validating system. A ‘pending’ or ‘coming soon’ status lacks qualifying status.

The product category “clothing” versus “non-clothing” items impacts the supporting visuals you can offer. For example, a lady selecting a dress can decide better if front, back, and side imagery is provided, not just the main image. Google suggests, “Show non-clothing products, such as shoes, handbags or accessories, alone in your main images, and on a model in your additional images.”

Product variant images:

Let shoppers see the correct image for the variant you’re advertising. Assure shoppers of what a customized item will look like. For example, imagine you’re promoting a cap with personalized art options. Customized hat products cost more than plain ones. Submit an image showing the art applied, along with a price adjustment that includes the full cost of this specific product variation.

Images for multipacks of the same product:

Display a single unit of the product for the main image. The main image displays a single unit when using the multipack [multipack] attribute. Then, I like to include additional photos showing what a packaged set will look like when the purchase arrives. The Merchant Center lets you use the additional image link [additional_image_link] attribute.

Images for products bundled with accessories:

Avoid confusing or disappointing the buyer by including only the for-sale product in the image. Since many products are bundled with one another and sold as sets or accessories, only precisely the items purchased should be photographed together. For example, if you sell a dress with the option of buying a complementary belt accessory, make it clear in your imagery and text that the belt is an additional purchase. The main image for a dress-only purchase should be of the dress without a belt. When the products are sold together, the main image should be of the dress and belt.

What the buyer “sees” is a huge factor in triggering a purchase decision. Correct imagery confirms bundled and single-product purchases, resulting in fewer returns and negative reviews for retailers.

Additional Considerations Specific to AI-Generated Images

“Important: 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).”

– Allow Merchant Center to improve your product images

Differences Between AI-Generated and Your Own Product Images for Google Merchant Center:
Potential Image Ownership/Infringement Google may have integrated AI image generation to potentially avoid possible image ownership or infringement issues associated with other AI image generators. This is less of a direct concern for your original product images, assuming you own their rights.
Building Brand Recognition While both should accurately represent the product, using your own, unique images is specifically mentioned as a way to help build your brand recogniation in the free Google Shopping tab.
Handling of Disapprovals If an image is disapproved, Google’s Automatic Image Improvement feature may attempt to apply to both AI-generated and your own images – if it is turned on. You have direct editing capabilities within the platform for AI-generated images created with Product Studio.
Metadata AI-generated images are now required by Google to have specific embedded metadata indicating their AI origin. This involves preserving tags like the IPTC DigitalSourceType property with IPTC NewsCodes such as TrainedAlgorithmicMedia, CompositeSynthetic, and AlgorithmicMedia. This metadata will not be present in your own standard product images unless you manually add such information.

Answers to Common Questions About Merchant Center Image Optimization

Does using a CDN impact Google Merchant Center images?

Yes, using a CDN can impact Google Merchant Center image handling, but it’s not always a negative impact. While Google Merchant Center generally accepts CDN URLs, there can be issues like slow crawl rates or errors like HTTP 4xx if the CDN is not configured correctly or if Google’s crawling infrastructure has trouble. [1]

Using a CDN for image storage provides benefits like improved website speed and user experience. However, ensuring your CDN setup is compatible with Google Merchant Center’s crawling requirements is crucial. Anticipate changes that make consistent monitoring, like your best friend, to avoid future issues.

Are there special rules for Merchant Center medical device images?

There are specific image requirements and restrictions for healthcare products like medical devices in Google Merchant Center. Google restricts the promotion of certain healthcare-related content by requiring stricter adherence to advertising regulations. These regulations also apply to images, ensuring that they are not misleading or promoting products that haven’t been approved or have known safety concerns. [2]

Is Google Merchant image product data the same as schema markup product data?

No, Google Merchant product data and Schema markup product data have similarities but serve different purposes. While both use structured data to provide more information about product images to search engines, Google Merchant Center focuses on merchant listings and Shopping ads. In contrast, Schema markup is used for broader, rich results and product snippets.

Can monogrammed products have text in image product data?

First, understanding how monogrammed custom products can have text in Google Merchant Center images starts with understanding the general guidelines, followed by considering the specific case of customization.

Here’s how monogrammed custom products can have text in Merchant Center images:

  • The text must represent the customization of the product variant being advertised. For example, if you are selling a cap with a personalized monogram option, the image should display the cap with the monogram.
  • The image should accurately display the product as it will be when received by the customer. For example, if a customer orders a mug with the initials “JMH,” the image you submit should show a mug with “JMH” on it.
  • Ensure the image reflects the specific product variation being advertised and priced. If the price is adjusted to include the cost of the monogram, the image must show the monogrammed product.

Include ‘custom’ or ‘personalized’ near the beginning of customized products’ titles, image names, and image URLs. This helps Google match your ads and free listings to more relevant searches. Otherwise, wasted click dollars from people expecting to find simple, standard products may occur. It provides product clarity to prospective buyers.

How many images per product are best for Google Merchant Center Next?

For Google Merchant Center Next, aim for 5-8 high-quality images per product. Providing multiple photos with different angles and perspectives of each product can significantly improve user engagement and lead to better, faster purchase decisions. You can add up to 10 additional images per product to support the main image, which will be the primary image displayed.

Let’s summarize how you can ensure your AI-assisted and standard images are approved.

TABLE: Things to Avoid in Google Shopping Image Composition

Mistakes to Avoid:
Avoid using promotional text in your product images.
Avoid using watermarks on your product images.
Avoid using borders around your product images.
They are generally not allowed, except for paint (showing color) and illustrations when necessary for Hardware or Vehicle & Parts categories.
Avoid using generic images. Make sure to use up-to-date pictures of every product you are advertising. Using your company logo or text like ‘pending’ or ‘coming soon’ is insufficient.
Avoid using images that scale the product inappropriately.
Avoid a lack of product image contrast with the background.
Using a logo in your product image is not permitted.

Merchant Center Product Images are Critical for Converting Clicks

Your click-through rate (CTR) is a key indicator of how effective your Merchant Center is for tracking sales effectiveness. It signals how often people who see your product listings on Google click on them to visit your product landing pages. A higher CTR suggests that your listings are engaging and relevant to users, leading to more traffic and potential sales.

“Total count of how often customers who saw your images and website links on Google ended up clicking on them and visiting your online store, divided by the number of times it’s shown: clicks ÷ impressions = CTR. This illustrates how often clicks on your products led to visits to your online store. For example, if you had 5 clicks and 100 impressions, then your CTR would be 5%.”  – Track the performance of your online store in Merchant Center

Knowing that high-quality images can lead to the conversions you want brings us full circle to the main point—they must qualify.

Remember: AI Images must still meet all the previously mentioned standard requirements IN ADDITION TO the new AI-specific rules.

So, if we agree on that point, you may be asking, should I risk conversions by using AI to create or improve my product images?

   

     

   

   

   

     

   

   

   

     

   

   

   

     

   

 

Differences Between AI-Generated and Your Own Product Images for Google Merchant Center:
Potential Image Ownership/Infringement Google may have integrated AI image generation to potentially avoid possible image ownership or infringement issues associated with other AI image generators. This is less of a direct concern for your own original product images, assuming you own the rights to them.
Building Brand Recognition While both should accurately represent the product, using your own, unique images is specifically mentioned as a way to help build your brand recognition in the free Google Shopping tab.
Handling of Disapprovals When an image is disapproved, Google’s Automatic Image Improvement feature may attempt to apply artificial intelligence to both AI-generated and your own images – if turned on. You have direct editing capabilities within the platform for AI-generated images created with Product Studio.
Metadata Google now requires AI-generated images to have specific embedded metadata indicating their AI origin. This involves preserving tags like the IPTC DigitalSourceType property with IPTC NewsCodes such as TrainedAlgorithmicMedia, CompositeSynthetic, and AlgorithmicMedia. This metadata will not be present in your own standard product images unless you manually add such information.

Unique AI Image Creation Process:

  • AI-Generated Images: These are created using AI tools, such as Google’s Product Studio tool integrated into Google Merchant Center. Using generative AI, these tools can generate new images, remove backgrounds, and improve resolution.
  • Your Own Product Images: These involve taking photographs of your products, potentially with professional equipment and skills. You may also use editing software like Canva to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and remove backgrounds.

You can see why MC management entails regular audits and monitoring.

Image Audits for E-commerce Merchant Center Listings

How do I know if my product images pass as high-quality images?

Use the following Google tools to correct image errors.

  1. Google Cloud: My preference to determine the quality of your Google Merchant Center images is using Google Cloud. One can analyze image resolution and other image-related data using BigQuery. BigQuery allows us to query your Google Merchant Center data, including information about image size, to identify potential quality issues. [3]
  2. Google Search Console: Using the ‘merchant listings’ filter in Google Images, we gain a report telling us when your images appear in Image Search with Google’s product label overlay on top. This tells shoppers that the item can be purchased.
  3. Google Merchant Center Insights: You can test image quality using the “Needs attention” tab. While we prefer to ensure adherence to its image policy upfront, if we miss something, image issues commonly are flagged (i.e., low resolution, generic images, wrong-sized images, or promotional overlays).

SUMMARY: Qualifying Quality Images Lead to Sales

Request help from a Google Merchant Center Expert. Google shopping requires good image organization and product data feed management. Our services ensure you meet standard and AI image requirements and can leverage emerging Merchant Center sales opportunities. You can run your business. We’ll take care of little details that can make or break sales.

We’ll regularly conduct Product feed Audits to Meet Google’s Image Requirements

[1] https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/12/crawling-december-cdns

[2] https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150151

[3] https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/introduction

[4] https://www.datafeedwatch.com/blog/google-shopping-images

Jeannie Hill:
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