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    Field: image_link

    Image Not Crawlable in Google Shopping Feed

    Google cannot access or download your product image. The image URL may be blocked, returning errors, or inaccessible to Google's crawlers.

    Use our free Feed Validator to check for this and other errors automatically.

    What This Error Means

    When Google tries to fetch your product image using the URL in yourimage_link field, it receives an error or is blocked from accessing the file. Without a valid image, your product cannot appear in Shopping results.

    Common causes include:

    • Image URL returns 404 (Not Found) or 5xx server errors
    • robots.txt blocks Googlebot from accessing images
    • Firewall or CDN blocks Google's IP addresses
    • Image requires authentication or login
    • URL is malformed or contains invalid characters
    • Image server is slow or times out

    Google attempts to crawl images regularly, so even temporary issues can cause products to be disapproved if the problem persists. Understanding the difference between temporary and persistent errors is key to efficient troubleshooting.

    How to Fix It

    1. Verify the image URL works — Open the URL in a browser or use a tool like curl to confirm the image loads correctly.
    2. Check your robots.txt — Ensure you're not blocking Googlebot from accessing your image directories.
    3. Review firewall/CDN settings — Make sure your hosting or CDN doesn't block Google's crawlers. Whitelist Googlebot user agents.
    4. Use publicly accessible URLs — Images must be accessible without authentication. No login-required or private URLs.
    5. Fix server performance — If your image server is slow, consider using a CDN to improve response times.

    Examples

    Incorrect
    <!-- Broken or inaccessible URLs: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/deleted-product.jpg</g:image_link>

<!-- Blocked by authentication: -->
<g:image_link>https://admin.example.com/private/product.jpg</g:image_link>

<!-- Malformed URL: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/product name with spaces.jpg</g:image_link>
    Correct
    <!-- Publicly accessible, properly encoded URL: -->
<g:image_link>https://cdn.example.com/images/product-name.jpg</g:image_link>

<!-- Using HTTPS with URL-encoded special characters: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/product%20name.jpg</g:image_link>

    Additional Tips

    • Use Google Search Console to check for crawl errors on your image URLs
    • Test image URLs with Google's URL Inspection tool
    • Use a CDN for reliable, fast image delivery worldwide
    • URL-encode special characters in image filenames
    • Monitor your image server uptime and response times
    • Set up automated checks to verify all feed image URLs are accessible

    Related Issues

    Invalid ImageMissing ImageImage Too SmallLanding Page Not Accessible

    Validate Your Feed Now

    Use our free Google Shopping Feed Validator to check for this and other common errors before uploading to Merchant Center.

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