How to Fix Promotional Overlay on Image Errors
Fix the "Promotional overlay" error in Google Merchant Center on Shopify by replacing product images with clean photography free of sale tags and watermarks.
What this means
Google rejects product images that contain promotional text, sale prices, percentage-off badges, brand watermarks, or marketing graphics. The catalog uses clean product photography to maintain consistency; merchants who include promotional overlays trigger this error per affected SKU.
How to fix it
- 1
Identify affected products in GMC Diagnostics
GMC → Diagnostics → Item issues → filter for "Promotional overlay" or "Image quality." Affected SKUs are listed individually.
- 2
Replace with clean product images
Use photography without text, badges, prices, or marketing graphics. The standard pattern: white-background or lifestyle shots, no overlay text.
- 3
Keep marketing imagery for ads only, not the product feed
Promotional images belong in Google Ads creatives, not in your product feed. Maintain two image sets — clean for the catalog, marketing for ad campaigns.
- 4
Verify after re-sync
Wait 24-72h. GMC Diagnostics should clear the overlay errors. Re-flagged products usually have subtle issues — small badges or text near corners; review carefully.
Related fixes
Related reading
FAQ
What counts as a promotional overlay?+
Any text, badge, price, percentage-off graphic, or marketing element added on top of the product photo. Clean product photography only — overlays belong in ad creatives, not the feed.
Are subtle copyright watermarks allowed?+
Subtle copyright text in a corner is tolerated. Visible promotional content ("30% off," "Best Seller," prices) fails the policy.
Can I use a brand logo on the product image?+
Discouraged. The product image should show the product, not branding. Subtle logos on the product itself (e.g., a Nike swoosh on a shoe) are fine; added logo overlays are not.
How do I keep marketing creatives separate from the feed?+
Maintain two image sets in your media library. Tag or organize them by purpose. Use clean product images for the feed; reserve promotional creatives for Google Ads campaigns.
Will this affect my Shopping rankings?+
Disapproved products are blocked from Shopping entirely until the overlay is removed. Other products are unaffected.
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