image_link image Fix “Image resolution below minimum” on TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop's minimum image resolution is 600×600 — higher than Google's or Meta's. Items with smaller images fail validation. TikTok also prefers vertical aspect ratios for video-first placements; a square image will work but won't perform as well.
What you see in TikTok Shop:
Image resolution below minimum TikTok's 600x600 minimum is higher than Google's 250x250 (or 500x500 with the 2026 tightening) and Meta's 500x500. Catalogs migrated from Google to TikTok often have items below TikTok's threshold that worked fine on Google.
The vertical-aspect-ratio preference is the additional dimension. TikTok favours vertical (1080x1920) imagery for video-style placements; square imagery works but doesn't perform as well. The strategic call for serious TikTok performance: vertical product photography, not just resized square images.
The conversion-vs-overhead trade-off: bulk-reshooting catalog photography at TikTok's preferred aspect ratio is significant work for typical e-commerce sellers. The pragmatic compromise is to maintain square (1080x1080) imagery as the primary source, then derive vertical (1080x1920) variants via cropping or template-based rendering for TikTok specifically. The DPA Creative Editor handles per-channel aspect ratios from one source template.
For items already in the catalog but below 600x600, the fix is finding higher-resolution source images. Many platforms have a larger image URL available even when the default feed export uses smaller variants. Audit by opening each image_link in browser and checking served dimensions; replace at the source level rather than spot-fixing.
The Audit feature checks TikTok-specific image thresholds across the catalog and flags items that would fail TikTok validation, even when those items pass Google and Meta.
Top causes
- 1
Images uploaded for Google's lower threshold (which TikTok rejects)
- 2
Thumbnails substituted for full-resolution images
- 3
Square images served when vertical would be the better choice for TikTok placements
How to fix it
- 1
Check current image resolutions
Use a bulk image URL checker to verify each item's image_link served dimensions. Any below 600×600 fails.
- 2
Re-upload at 1080×1080 minimum
Square images work; 1080×1080 is the safe minimum. If you have vertical product photography (1080×1920), use it — TikTok favours vertical creative.
- 3
Consider video assets
TikTok Shop accepts video URLs as well as static images for some product types. A short product video (under 30s) significantly improves performance.
- 4
Update the feed and re-submit
Replace image_link URLs and re-submit through Seller Center.
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 moreInvalid availability
TikTok Shop's availability field is stricter than Meta's or Google's. It accepts specific values ('in stock', 'out of stock', 'preorder') and rejects anything else. Items with invalid availability are rejected from the catalog.
Read moreRelated fields
Related tools
Related reading
FAQ
Does TikTok actually require vertical images?
Not required — square works. But vertical (1080×1920) performs better in TikTok's video-first placements because it doesn't get letterboxed.
What aspect ratio is best?
1:1 (square, 1080×1080) for catalog tiles; 9:16 (vertical, 1080×1920) for video-style placements. Catalogs that supply both perform best.
Last reviewed: 26 May 2026
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