image_link image Fix “Image link broken” on Google Merchant Center
Googlebot can't fetch the image_link URL. Could be 404, blocked by robots.txt, geo-blocked, requires authentication, or HTTPS certificate issues.
What you see in Google Merchant Center:
Image link broken
API identifier: image_link_broken
Broken image links present as 404, 403, or SSL failures when Googlebot tries to fetch the image URL. The fetch failure can come from CDN expiry, expired auth tokens (for catalogs using signed-URL hosting), HTTP-vs-HTTPS issues, or geographic blocking of Googlebot's IPs.
The robots.txt cause is common. Some sites' robots.txt blocks /images/ paths globally, accidentally preventing Googlebot from reaching the catalog images. Audit robots.txt for product-image paths.
CDN migrations cause cascading broken-image issues that can take a week to fully resolve. The image URLs in the feed point at the old CDN; the new CDN has the same images at different URLs; the feed gets updated; Google's cache invalidates over a few days; finally the issues clear. During the window, items appear broken in some surfaces and fine in others.
For catalogs without HTTPS image hosting, the migration from HTTP is overdue. HTTP image URLs are blocking everywhere in 2026; the temporary fix is at most weeks of remaining tolerance.
Top causes
- 1
Image hosting moved (CDN migration) without updating the feed
- 2
robots.txt blocks the /images/ path
- 3
Cloudfront/CDN auth tokens that expired
- 4
HTTP URLs (must be HTTPS)
- 5
Geo-blocking that prevents Googlebot's US IPs from fetching
How to fix it
- 1
Test each image URL
Open the image_link URL directly in browser. If you get a 404, 403, or SSL warning, that's the issue.
- 2
Check robots.txt
Verify your site's robots.txt allows /images/ or whichever path images live on. Googlebot needs to reach them.
- 3
Verify HTTPS and certificates
Image hosting must use valid HTTPS. Self-signed certs are rejected.
- 4
Update the feed
Point image_link at the working URLs. Force-fetch.
Related issues
Image too small
The image at image_link doesn't meet Google's minimum resolution. Google tightened this threshold in April 2026 — what was previously a warning is now blocking for new submissions. Affected items don't show in Shopping until the image is replaced.
Read moreGeneric image
The image_link points to a 'generic' image — usually a stock photo used by many sellers, a placeholder graphic, or a manufacturer marketing shot used by competitors. Google's classifier identifies these and downgrades them.
Read moreBroken image link
Meta can't fetch the image at image_link. Could be 404, geo-blocked, requires authentication, or HTTPS issues. Items with broken images don't serve.
Read moreRelated fields
Related tools
FAQ
How often does Google re-check image URLs?
Roughly weekly for active items. Broken images noticed at any check trigger the flag immediately.
Last reviewed: 26 May 2026
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