Element g:image_link#

Basic information#

The g:image_link element contains the URL of the main product image. The URL must not contain spaces or diacritics. The image URL must be unique within the feed. The maximum length of the image URL in g:image_link is 2000 characters.

• g:image_link element specification in Google Merchant Center Help

Google has the following requirements for the main product image:

• Minimum dimensions:
  • For clothing images: at least 250 × 250 pixels
  • For other product categories: at least 100 × 100 pixels
• Recommended dimensions:
  • Google recommends images of at least 1500 × 1500 pixels or higher resolution
• Maximum dimensions and file size:
  • Maximum image resolution: 64 megapixels
  • Maximum file size: 16 MB
• Required for AI-generated images:
  • Images created with generative AI must contain metadata (embedded in the image file) indicating that the image was AI-generated
• What images must not contain:
  • Watermarks
  • Discount banners, promotional text (e.g. free shipping, extended warranty), company logos, calls to action (e.g. “buy”), or borders around the edge of the image
  • For more information, see the article What product images for Google Shopping may contain

Additional product images, such as views from different angles, should be listed in the g:additional_image_link element.

Elements related to g:image_link that can also be used in the feed:

• g:additional_image_link — additional product images
• g:is_bundle — if the product is marked as a bundle you have created, the image must show all items included in the bundle
• g:virtual_model_link — URL of a 3D model of the product (currently available for footwear and home goods only, limited to products sold in the US)

Frequently asked questions#

• How do I split image URLs separated by a delimiter into individual values?
  • If you have image URLs in a single element separated by, for example, a semicolon, pipe |, space, or comma, you can split these values into separate variables using regular expressions.
• How do I swap two images, for example the main image and the first additional image?
  • Use the pre-built automation available in the left menu of your Google Shopping project: Automations → search for Swap values between two elements and run it.
• How do I force Google Shopping to update its cached images?
  • Using the Rewrite rule, append a # character and some text, e.g. #new, to the image URLs. For Google Shopping, the image URLs will appear new, so it will re-fetch the images immediately.
  • Note: if you change an image but keep its URL the same, it can take up to six weeks for Google to detect the change on its own.
• Can I bulk-resize images in the feed?
  • Yes, using the Feed Image Editor extension.
• How do I remove a watermark or border from images?
  • Yes, using the Feed Image Editor extension.
• How do I hide products in Mergado that have no image (g:image_link is empty)?
  • First, create a query on the Products page to find such products — use the condition g:image_link is empty. Then on the Rules page, create a new rule, select the type Hide product, and use the query you created. The rule will hide all products without images.
• Can I obtain missing product images to fill g:image_link in Mergado?
  • Yes, missing images can be obtained using the Mergado Sources extension from the Icecat catalogue. If your products have EAN codes (g:gtin), the extension can retrieve images for products based on their EAN codes.

What Mergado Audit checks for the g:image_link element#

• Whether the g:image_link element is missing or empty for any products.
• Whether the value in g:image_link is duplicated — image URLs should be unique for every product in the feed.
• The audit also checks the correct format of the g:image_link URL.
• It checks the maximum URL length in g:image_link, which is 2000 characters.

If you need help, contact our technical support.