No. Google doesn't allow promotional text, prices, calls to action, watermarks, borders or added logos on the main product image in Merchant Center, and products with such overlays stay disapproved until the image is replaced. Text and logos that are physically part of the product or its packaging are allowed.
Google's rule for the main product image (image_link) is that it must give an unobstructed, clean view of the item for sale. Anything added on top of the photo in post-production counts as a promotional overlay and causes an image disapproval.
What exactly is not allowed on the main image?
Google lists these as things to avoid:
- Calls to action such as "Buy", "Shop now" or "Order today"
- Price and shipping details, discounts or offers like "Free shipping"
- Service claims such as "Includes 2-year warranty"
- Promotional adjectives such as "Best", "Cheap" or "Top quality"
- Condition or compatibility labels such as "New" or "2-piece set"
- Barcodes, QR codes or serial tags laid over the photo
- Watermarks, copyright symbols or graphic stamps
- Brand, manufacturer or retailer names and logos added on top
- Borders, single-color squares, placeholders like "Coming soon", and products that aren't sold together with the main item
The exception: logos and text that are an inherent, physical part of the product, like a brand name printed on the item or its packaging, are allowed.
For additional images (additional_image_link), Google's best practices also say not to submit images with a watermark or with text that isn't relevant to the image, such as trademark or store info. Use them for other angles or the product in use. In-context shots can go in the lifestyle_image_link attribute.
What happens if your images have overlays?
You'll see a "Text on image" issue. Google says these products are disapproved and remain disapproved until their images are updated, so they don't show in Shopping ads or free listings.
Size is a separate requirement. As of November 2026, Google has announced a minimum of 500 x 500 pixels for all products starting January 31, 2027, and recommends around 1500 x 1500 pixels or larger.
How do you fix it?
You have two options:
- Let Merchant Center fix it. Turn on automatic image improvements in the Automations tab under Products. The setting is off by default. Merchant Center tries to remove text, watermarks, overlays or logos, and keeps your original image if the result would hurt quality. Google says it can't reliably fix multi-panel collages, heavy text over the product or dense watermarks.
- Replace the image yourself. For one product, open it from the Needs attention tab, select Edit and point the image URL to a clean image. For many products, download the affected list, update the image URLs in your source data and re-upload.
Google says changes may take 24 to 72 hours to show on the Needs attention page. If you fixed the issue or disagree with it, you can request a review.
What works for me: keep one clean packshot per product for the feed, and put sale messaging on your website and in Merchant Center promotions instead of on the photo. Other image and data problems are covered in why products get disapproved, and the bigger picture in my guide to Google Shopping ads.
Sources
- Google Merchant Center Help: Image link [image_link] - https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324350
- Google Merchant Center Help: How to fix: Text on image - https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12158684
- Google Merchant Center Help: Allow Merchant Center to improve your product images - https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12724659
- Google Merchant Center Help: Additional image link [additional_image_link] - https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324370