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    Field: image_link

    Promotional Overlay on Image in Google Shopping Feed

    Your product image contains promotional text, watermarks, or overlay graphics. Google requires clean product images without promotional elements.

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

    What This Error Means

    Google Shopping requires product images to show the actual product clearly, without any overlaid text, graphics, or promotional elements. This includes:

    • "Sale" or "% Off" banners and badges
    • Watermarks or store logos overlaid on the image
    • "Free Shipping" or promotional text
    • Price tags or stickers on the image
    • "New" or "Best Seller" labels
    • Call-to-action buttons or text

    These overlays are prohibited because they clutter the Shopping experience and make it harder for users to see the actual product. Google wants a clean, consistent visual experience across all Shopping results. For a structural look at image requirements, see our feed optimization checklist.

    How to Fix It

    1. Remove all promotional overlays — Edit your images to remove any text, badges, or promotional graphics.
    2. Use clean product photography — Upload the original product photos without any post-processing additions.
    3. Move watermarks outside the product — If you must use watermarks, keep them in corners and very subtle, though removing them entirely is best.
    4. Separate promotional images — Keep promotional versions of images for your website banners, but use clean versions for your feed.
    5. Use promotions feature instead — For sales and discounts, use Google Merchant Center's Promotions feature rather than image overlays.

    Examples

    Incorrect
    <!-- Image with promotional overlay: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/product-30-percent-off-banner.jpg</g:image_link>

<!-- Image with watermark: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/product-with-store-logo-overlay.jpg</g:image_link>
    Correct
    <!-- Clean product image without overlays: -->
<g:image_link>https://example.com/images/product-clean.jpg</g:image_link>

<!-- Use promotions feed for discounts: -->
<g:promotion_id>SUMMER_SALE_30</g:promotion_id>

    Additional Tips

    • Set up Google Merchant Center Promotions for sales instead of image overlays
    • Create separate image folders for website banners vs. feed images
    • Audit images from different sources — some suppliers include promotional elements
    • Use automated image quality checks in your feed management workflow
    • Keep original, unedited product photos for feed submissions

    Related Issues

    Image Too SmallImage Not CrawlableMissing ImageInvalid Image

    Validate Your Feed Now

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

    Open Feed Validator