Unsupported image type
What causes the "Unsupported image type" error in Merchant Center and how to fix it.
This error means the file type at your image_link isn't one Google accepts, often a vector or animated format. Fix it by using a standard raster format like JPEG, PNG, non-animated GIF, or WebP.
What triggers it
"Unsupported image type" means the file Google's crawler retrieved at image_link is in a format it doesn't accept for product images, most often a vector format or an animated file. This is different from invalid image format, where the file isn't a valid image at all; here the file is a real image, just not one of the accepted types.
The fix is straightforward: export a static JPEG, PNG, non-animated GIF, or WebP version and serve that instead.
/tools checks that image files are in an accepted format during enrichment, catching format problems before they reach Diagnostics.
Step by step
- Check what file type is actually being served at image_link. Vector formats (like SVG) and animated formats aren't accepted, even if the file displays fine in a browser.
- Convert the image to a standard raster format. JPEG, PNG, non-animated GIF, and WebP are all accepted. Export a static version rather than an animated or vector one.
- Update image_link to point at the converted file. Make sure the new file is what's actually served at the URL, not just renamed.
- Re-submit and confirm it clears. Once a supported format is live at the URL, this resolves on the next crawl.