Overview

Amazon product listings support multiple image types beyond the standard main photo, each serving a specific purpose in showcasing your product to potential buyers. Understanding the different image variant codes and their intended uses can help sellers create more compelling listings that convert browsers into customers. This guide breaks down every available image variant type and explains how to use them effectively.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Main image is critical — Your MAIN image appears in search results and serves as the primary photo on your product detail page, making it the most important visual asset for your listing.
• Amazon recommends at least six images — Providing multiple clear, informative, and attractive images helps customers evaluate your product more thoroughly before purchasing.
• Variant codes are category-specific — The image manager tool will suggest pre-selected variant types based on your product's category style guide, though you can swap in different variants as needed.
• File naming matters for bulk uploads — When uploading images through Amazon's bulk image upload tool, each file must include the correct four-character variant code in its filename.
• Safety images display separately — Product safety and compliance images appear in a dedicated section of the detail page, not in the main image carousel.

Available Image Variant Types

Amazon offers a wide range of image variant codes to accommodate different product presentation needs. The MAIN variant is your primary listing image that appears in search results and at the top of your detail page. For products requiring safety disclosures, variants PS01 through PS06 are designated for depicting warning and safety compliance information, and these display in a separate section of the product detail page rather than the standard image gallery.

The SWCH (swatch) variant serves as the thumbnail image that appears below or beside the main image on detail pages. For listings offering multiple product versions such as different colors, the swatch image typically shows a color sample. If no swatch image is uploaded, Amazon defaults to using the MAIN image as the thumbnail.