Google's New Product Photo Rules: What Store Owners Should Do Now

Google will require larger product images starting January 31, 2027. Here is what is changing and how to prepare your photos this week.

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Starting January 31, 2027, Google will require product images in Merchant Center to be at least 500 by 500 pixels, according to Global Reach. Products with images that are too small may be disapproved and stop showing. This week, check your account for warnings and plan to replace any small photos before the deadline.

What is changing with Google product images

Merchant Center is the Google tool stores use to list products in Shopping ads and free listings. A pixel is one tiny dot of color in a picture. More pixels means a sharper image.

Global Reach says the new 500 by 500 minimum covers all product categories. It applies to your main image and to your extra images. Global Reach says Google recommends around 1500 by 1500 pixels or larger. Global Reach also notes that this affects free listings, not just paid ads.

Google began showing warnings in Merchant Center in 2026 for images that miss the new size. The warning reads: "Image too small for upcoming enforcement." These warnings let you find problem products early.

A few other rules already apply:

• File types. Google Merchant Center Help accepts JPEG, WebP, PNG, GIF, BMP and TIFF. The file extension must match the real format. A PNG file named .jpg can cause an "Unsupported image type" error.
• Size limits. Seed Light reports a cap of 64 megapixels and 16MB per file.
• AI images. Images made with generative AI must keep their metadata. Metadata is hidden information stored inside the file. Google says not to remove the tag that marks an image as AI-made.

If an image breaks the rules, Google says it will not appear on Google surfaces. You will see a notice in the Diagnostics section of your account.

What a good set of photos looks like now

Google says your images are often the first contact with shoppers. That includes AI Experiences, Shopping ads, free listings and Search, according to its image best practices page. Google recommends adding at least 5 extra images for each product.

A strong set usually includes:

• A clear main image. The product should fill between 75% and 90% of the frame.
• One image per variant. If a shirt comes in three colors, show each color in its own photo.
• Close-up shots. These show texture and small details.
• Scale shots. These place the product next to another item so shoppers can judge size.
• A lifestyle shot. This shows the product in a real setting or in use.

Wix cites market analysis saying about 70% of online shoppers are strongly influenced by clear, detailed product photos. Wix also notes that 360 degree photos are large files, so check that they do not slow your pages.

A simple setup you can use at home

You do not need a studio. Seed Light says a window and a phone will get you most of the way. Its tips include:

• Use soft, indirect window light.
• Hold a white card on the shadow side to bounce light back.
• Turn off room lights so colors do not shift.
• Mark the table with tape so every product sits in the same spot.
• Shoot larger than you need, since you can crop down but not up.
• Keep your original files in case rules change.

If you also sell on Amazon, Seed Light reports that Amazon asks for a pure white background, at least 1,000 pixels on the longest side, and at least six images. Shooting to the strictest rule once lets you reuse the same photos everywhere.

Steps to take this week

1. Open Merchant Center and check Diagnostics for the "Image too small" warning.
2. Make a list of products with small images. Check extra images too, not just the main one.
3. Reshoot or replace those photos at 1500 by 1500 pixels or larger.
4. Confirm each file ending matches its real format.
5. Add more images. Google's additional image page allows up to 10. Separate each link with a comma. If a link has a comma inside it, write that comma as %2C.
6. Give every color or style its own photo.
7. If you use AI images, keep their metadata in place.

A small shop may finish this in a day. A large catalog needs more time, so start now.

How I can help

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Have a question about anything here? Email me at sales@appwt.com or call (888) 565-0171, and I will answer it.

Sources

• Google Merchant Image Requirements for 2027, globalreach.com, 2026-09-17
• Image link [image_link] - Google Merchant Center Help, Google Merchant Center Help, 2026-09-29
• Ecommerce Product Photography: Photos That Sell, seed-light.com, 2026-10-19
• Image best practices - Google Merchant Center Help, Google Merchant Center Help, 2026-10-09
• The modern seller, Wix, 2026-07-27
• Additional image link [additional_image_link] - Google Merchant Center Help, Google Merchant Center Help, 2026-10-30
• Custom Web Design at AppWT, AppWT