Overview

Amazon has raised the bar for product photography this quarter, requiring sellers to meet stricter visual standards or risk having their listings hidden or removed. The new rules focus on background color, image clarity, and prohibited graphics, and they are enforced automatically within 24 hours of upload. Sellers who ignore the changes can see a sharp drop in visibility, which directly translates into lost sales.

Key Points

• Pure white backdrop — The primary photo must feature a completely white background (RGB 255, 255, 255) with no shadows, props, or color variations that could distract shoppers.
• Frame‑fill requirement — The product itself must occupy at least 85 % of the image area, leaving minimal empty space around the edges.
• No promotional overlays — Watermarks, discount badges, brand logos, or any text that is not part of the actual product are prohibited on both primary and secondary images.
• Sharpness and resolution — Images must be in focus, free of pixelation, and saved without visible compression artifacts; Amazon recommends a minimum of 1000 pixels on the longest side.
• Allowed secondary content — While lifestyle or scale photos are permitted, each still needs to meet the same technical specifications (white background only for the main image, proper resolution, and no added graphics).
• Automated compliance checks — Amazon’s system scans every new upload and periodically rescans existing photos, issuing an “Image Not Approved” notice within a day if a violation is detected.

How Amazon’s Image Requirements Work

1. Initial file validation — When a seller submits a picture, Amazon checks file size, format (JPEG/PNG), and background color. Example: A seller tries to upload a 450 KB JPEG that shows a gray countertop; the system rejects it and prompts a re‑upload with a white backdrop.
2. AI‑driven content review — After passing the basic file check, an artificial‑intelligence engine scans for disallowed elements such as text overlays or logos.