According to PPC News Feed (11 October 2026), Merchant Center no longer blocks products from showing because of low image quality (blur, pixelation, low resolution); these products “will continue to show”. But, from 31 January 2027, all images must be at least 500 x 500 pixels, with warnings since July 2026, and promotional overlays (calls to action, prices, shipping, promotional adjectives) remain a strict disapproval reason. The report doesn’t say what happens to products below the minimum after January 2027.
What changed
PPC News Feed reported that Google Merchant Center no longer prevents products from showing because of low image quality. Before, poor-quality images could stop products from appearing in ads and free listings. Now, products with blurry, pixelated or low-resolution images “will continue to show”.
The observation was shared by Hana Kobzová and the source points to Google’s help page “How to fix: Low image quality”.
What didn't change: 500 x 500 on 31 January 2027
According to the report, from 31 January 2027 all product images must meet the 500 x 500 pixel minimum, and warnings for images below that limit began in July 2026. The report doesn’t say what happens to products that don’t meet the minimum after that date.
A secondary guide we consulted earlier cited different values for this minimum; use the official Merchant Center page as reference.
Product images in Merchant Center
No longer blocks
- Blur, pixelation, low resolution
- Products continue to show
- But harms click and conversion
Still counts
- 500 x 500 minimum on 31 January 2027
- Promotional overlays disapprove
- Heavy text and watermarks
Promotional overlays: still disapproved
The report stresses that promotional overlays remain a strict disapproval factor: avoid calls to action, prices, shipping information and promotional adjectives in product images (for example “-30%”, “free shipping”, “best price”). It also warns that Google’s automatic image improvements may not fix heavy text or dense watermarks.
Use a clean product image in the feed and reserve promotional messaging for ad text and Merchant Center offers.
The misreading to avoid
“No longer blocks” doesn’t mean “doesn’t matter”. Blurry or small images still harm click and conversion: a product shown with a poor image is chosen less. And the 500 x 500 minimum applies in January. Treating image quality as irrelevant would be a costly mistake.
Image quality is a commercial factor, not only an approval one.
Image quality is a commercial factor, not only an approval one.
A four-step catalogue image audit
First, export the feed image dimensions and see how many fall below 500 x 500. Second, identify images with text, prices or watermarks. Third, replace the worst ones starting with best sellers. Fourth, create a rule for new products: minimum size, clean background, no overlays.
With Christmas near, start with the 20% of products that bring 80% of sales.
Relation to Performance Max and extracted images
Image extraction from the site, on by default in new Performance Max campaigns on 4 December 2026, uses images from your pages. Small, blurry or text-laden images on the site may appear in ads. Good image hygiene helps feed, pages and automatic campaigns.
An investment in images serves several channels.
Practical product photography for SMEs
Neutral background, good natural or diffuse light, product centred and filling most of the image, several views, no heavy filters. A recent phone, a tripod and a white sheet are enough for many products. Keep clear file names and consistent dimensions. For clothing, also show fit and measurements.
Visual consistency of the catalogue conveys professionalism.
Questions for your manager
How many of our feed images are under 500 x 500? Are there images with overlays? Who fixes and when? How do we prioritise products? Are there warnings in Merchant Center?
If you want to audit your catalogue images before January 2027, with a list of fixes by priority, I can help.
An illustrative quick audit example
A sports goods shop with 800 products exports the feed image dimensions and finds 90 are below 500 x 500 and 40 have prices written on the image. In two weeks, it replaces the 40 with prices and the 30 best-selling products below the minimum, and creates a rule for new products. The example is hypothetical. In January, the catalogue meets the minimum and images are clean.
The effort is small when started early and prioritised.
Summary in three lines
Weak images no longer block products, but the 500 x 500 minimum applies on 31 January 2027 and promotional overlays still disapprove. Audit the catalogue, prioritise best sellers and create a rule for new products.
Common mistakes with product images
Using the supplier’s image with a watermark; putting “-20%” or “free shipping” on the image; using the same dark background for everything; square images with lots of empty space; and not updating images when the product changes. Each mistake reduces eligibility or click. A clean, sharp image faithful to the product remains the base.
Frequently asked questions
Do bad images no longer stop approval?
According to PPC News Feed, products with low-quality images continue to show, but that doesn’t mean quality doesn’t matter for click and conversion.
What is the minimum size?
500 x 500 pixels from 31 January 2027, according to PPC News Feed. Confirm on the official Merchant Center page.
Can I put “-30%” on the image?
No: promotional overlays remain a strict disapproval reason, according to the source.
Sources consulted
Keep reading
- Merchant Center: new warranty and store address attributes, and what Portuguese shops should check
- Merchant API replaces Content API on 18 August and the performance report was redefined on 24 August: what to check in your shop
- AI agents that shop for you: Walmart opens the door, Amazon blocks Meta's Muse, and what to prepare in a Portuguese shop