What is the Image Issues Error in Google Merchant Center?
Google Merchant Center image issues can be fixed by following specific steps. Check image dimensions meet minimum requirements of 100×100 pixels for non-apparel and 250×250 pixels for apparel items. Upload high-quality images in supported formats (JPG, PNG, GIF). Ensure images show the product clearly without text overlays or watermarks. Fix broken image URLs and remove placeholder images.
List of Common Image Issues in Google Merchant Center
| Image Error | Description | Impact |
| Image Not Processed | Google can’t process your image URLs or images are invalid. | Product disapproval, no visibility |
| Invalid Image Format | Image format is unsupported or corrupted. | Product listing disapproved |
| Text on Image | Images contain promotional text, logos, or obstructive elements. | Product disapproval |
| Missing Image Link | Image URLs missing or empty for product variants. | Errors and warnings in feed |
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Image Issues Error in Google Merchant Center
- Image Not Processed Error
- Invalid Image Format Error
- Text on Image Error
- Missing Image Link Error
1. Image Not Processed Error
Cause:
Broken or invalid image URLs, restricted crawling (robots.txt), or slow image updates.
Fixing Guide:
Broken or invalid image URLs, restricted crawling (robots.txt), or slow image updates.
- Check that image URLs point directly to valid images, not web pages.
- Ensure Googlebot and Googlebot-Image user agents are allowed in robots.txt:
User-agent: Googlebot Disallow: User-agent: Googlebot-Image Disallow:
- Rename images and URLs when updating to trigger faster re-crawling.
- Resubmit your product feed and wait 24-72 hours for reprocessing.
2. Invalid Image Format Error
Cause:
Unsupported file types or corrupted files.
Fixing Guide:
- Use Google accepted image formats only: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WebP.
- Verify images open properly and are not corrupted.
- Resubmit product data with corrected image links.
3. Text on Image Error
Cause:
Promotional text, watermarks, CTAs, logos, or pricing info on the product image.
Fixing Guide:
- Remove any text or promotional overlays on product images.
- Upload clean images that clearly display products without obstructions.
- Resubmit feed for approval.
4. Missing Image Link Error
Cause:
Missing or incomplete image URLs for product variants.
Fixing Guide
- Provide a valid image URL for every variant of your product.
- Use product feed tools or feed center field mapping to correct image link fields.
- Resubmit feed after fixing image links.
Statistics on Image Issues Impact
- Products with invalid or missing images can see up to 80% drop in click-through rates.
- Google processes image updates in 24 to 72 hours, but if the URL does not change, full re-crawl can take up to 6 weeks.
- Over 65% of GMC disapprovalsare related to image quality or format issues.
How Trusted Web Eservices Help to Fix Image Issues Error in Google Merchant Center
The Trusted Web Eservices GMC team conducts Google Merchant Center set-up services, equipped with a team of experts ready to fix image-related errors in the very least time possible.
- Complete Image Audit: Determining any problems with image URLs, invalid formats, bad image resolution, or breach of Google’s image content policies as amendments leading to disapprovals.
- Image Optimization: Making sure that images meet the technical requirements of Google in sizing, accepted formats-JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc., and the URL is crawlable.
- AI images: Helpline and guidance are provided to enable enhancement by using AI via Google Merchant Center’s Product Studio tool.
- Policy Compliance: Removing or editing promotional overlays, texts, or any other disallowed elements to bring it into the strict image policy of Google.
- Feed resubmission and monitoring: Product feeds get updated and will be re-submitted after discarding errors, with monitoring maintained constantly from avoiding these errors from occurring again.
- Performance insights: Using the reports and tools Google Merchant Center furnishes to check on image quality and optimize product listing visibility.
Through Trusted Web Eservices, merchants are empowered to get rid of common causes that result in image disapprovals and thus manage uninterrupted product visibility and better engage the users for increased sales.
Useful Internal Resource
For more on overall errors in Google Merchant Center and how to handle them, visit Common Google Merchant Center Errors for comprehensive guidance.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
What causes image errors in Google Merchant Center?
Common causes include broken or invalid image URLs, unsupported image formats, promotional text on images, missing images for product variants, and restricted Googlebot access in robots.txt.
How do I fix the “Image Not Processed” error?
Ensure your image URLs point directly to accessible images (not web pages), allow Googlebot and Googlebot-Image crawling in robots.txt, and consider changing image URLs to trigger fast re-crawling.
What image formats does Google Merchant Center accept?
Google accepts JPEG, PNG, GIF (non-animated), BMP, TIFF, and WebP formats only. Using unsupported formats causes image disapproval.
Why am I getting “Missing Value [Image link]” error?
This happens when variants of a product do not have associated image URLs even if the main product image exists. Each variant needs a unique valid image link.
How can I fix promotional overlays on product images?
Google disapproves images with promotional texts, logos, or calls to action. Remove all overlays to display clear product images.
How long does it take Google to process updated images?
Usually, it takes 24-72 hours, but if the URL remains the same, Google might take up to 6 weeks to re-crawl and update images.
Bhavesh Patel 
Verified Technical SEO & Tracking Specialist
Bhavesh Patel is a technical SEO expert with extensive experience in web tracking and analytics. As a specialist in Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager, he helps businesses implement cutting-edge solutions for tracking, SEO, and conversion optimization.
