Watermark removal#

Watermark removal is an AI feature in Feed Image Editor that removes watermarks from product images in bulk and automatically. Just mark the watermark on a sample of images, and the AI takes care of the rest – finding it across the whole feed and removing it as if it had never been there.

Why it matters#

Most price comparison sites and marketplace platforms reject product images with watermarks and will not let them into ads. According to the results of Feed Image Editor’s Image Audit, around 35% of online stores struggle with this problem, most often because they take images directly from manufacturers or suppliers who mark them this way.

How it works#

The AI learns to recognize the watermark from at least 10 sample images where the watermark is identical and placed in the same spot. Once you mark the sample, the extension searches for the watermark on the remaining images in the feed and removes it automatically.

Setting it up in the extension#

1. Create a new template in Feed Image Editor (select a product query and an output format).

2. On tab 4, click the Watermark removal icon.

3. Select at least 10 to 15 images with the same watermark. Images can be loaded in three ways: from products in Mergado, from Feed Image Editor templates, or by uploading directly from your computer. These sources can be combined.

4. On each sample image, use the brush to mark the spot with the watermark. The result after removal is shown continuously on the right. Marking can be adjusted as needed.

5. Once all sample images are marked, click Finish.

6. On tab 4, set the effect sensitivity, name the template, and save it.

Effect sensitivity#

Sensitivity determines how large an area around the watermark is affected during removal. It is set on tab 4 and has three levels:

• High (default) – removes the watermark with minimal impact on the surrounding area. Suitable as the default choice.

• Medium – expands the removal area if high sensitivity is not enough to completely erase the watermark.

• Low – the widest impact, may also affect part of the product.

After processing, it is a good idea to go through the results on the Previews page and check the quality of the removal. Any inaccuracies can be touched up manually.

Multiple watermark types at once#

If the feed contains images from multiple suppliers with different watermarks, you can create a separate watermark group for each watermark type (tab 4 -> New group) and assign a custom template applied to the corresponding product query to each group. Groups are named by the date and time they were created.

Diagnostics – find out where the watermarks are#

Feed Image Editor includes the Diagnostics tool, which automatically evaluates which product images in the feed likely contain watermarks. Clicking on the detail shows a list of these products, which can be used directly as the basis for a product query.

When to use inpainting instead#

If a watermark or other unwanted element is always in the same specific spot, the Inpainting feature can be a suitable alternative – it works on a similar principle, but instead of a sample of 10 images, marking a single reference image is enough.

FAQ#

Why do I need exactly 10 sample images? Isn’t fewer enough?#

Ten images is the minimum number the AI needs to reliably recognize the watermark and generalize it to the remaining images in the feed. The more samples you provide, the more accurate the results tend to be.

What if the watermark lies directly over the product?#

The feature is designed for this case too. The AI attempts to reconstruct the area under the watermark based on the surrounding context. The result depends on the complexity of the underlying image. We recommend checking it on the Previews page and touching it up manually if needed.

What is the difference between Watermark removal and Inpainting?#

Both features work on a similar principle. You mark an area, the AI removes it and fills in the background. The main difference is in the training sample: Watermark removal requires 10 sample images and can find the watermark on backgrounds of varying complexity across the feed. Inpainting only needs to be marked once, but assumes the element is in the exact same spot on all images.

Can I combine multiple watermark groups in the same template?#

Each watermark group is applied as a separate template to its own product query. If you have three different watermarks, you will have three templates, each pointed at the corresponding group of products (for example, by category or supplier).

What should I do if a visible artifact remains in the image after removal?#

First, try lowering the effect sensitivity (medium or low) and repeat the processing. If the unwanted element persists, Feed Image Editor allows manual fine-tuning directly in the editor. A specific spot can be touched up individually with the brush or the eraser.

Can the feature be used to remove elements other than watermarks, such as logos or labels?#

Yes. The feature works with any marked area, not just watermarks in the technical sense. If a logo or label repeats in the same spot on multiple images, the process is identical. For elements with a variable position, the Inpainting feature is more suitable.