Your listing has a great title. Your item specifics are complete. But buyers scroll right past because your photo looks like it was shot in a dimly lit closet with a flip phone from 2008.
Grade your listing for free
Get an instant score with actionable tips to improve your listing.
Photos aren't just visual decoration on eBay. They drive click-through rates, and click-through rates influence search ranking. Bad photos mean fewer clicks. Fewer clicks mean lower placement. Lower placement means fewer sales. The downward spiral starts with one blurry image.
Why eBay Product Photos Matter for Search
Photos work alongside your optimized title and item specifics. Together, they create the full picture—for buyers and for eBay's search system. Each element handles a different job.
How Photos Affect Search Ranking
eBay's search system—informally called "Cassini" by sellers—tracks buyer behavior. When someone searches, they see a grid of listings. Their first impression comes from your thumbnail image. If buyers consistently click your listing over others, that positive signal may help your search placement.
The reverse is also true. A blurry, dark, or confusing thumbnail gets skipped. Low click-through rates can push your listing down in results, even if your title and pricing are competitive.
The Google Shopping Connection
eBay automatically submits eligible fixed-price listings to Google Shopping. Your images feed this process. Google has its own requirements: no watermarks, no promotional text, product clearly visible against a clean background.
If your images violate Google's guidelines, eBay's submission may be rejected. You won't get a notification—your listing just won't appear in Google Shopping results. Clean, compliant images give your listings the best chance at external visibility.
Mobile Thumbnail Reality
A significant portion of eBay traffic comes from mobile devices. On phones, buyers see small thumbnails in a dense grid. Your carefully composed full-size image gets cropped to a tiny square.
If the product isn't clearly visible at thumbnail size, buyers scroll past. Test your main image at small sizes before publishing. What looks great at 1600 pixels may become an unidentifiable blob at 150.
eBay Image Requirements for 2026
eBay enforces specific technical requirements. Miss them and your photos won't upload—or they'll look terrible once live.
Photo Size and Resolution Specs
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 500 x 500 pixels |
| Recommended size | 1600 x 1600 pixels |
| Maximum size | 9000 x 9000 pixels |
| Maximum file size | 12MB per image |
The 500-pixel minimum is strict—images below this won't upload. The 1600-pixel recommendation exists for zoom functionality. Buyers can hover over larger images to see detail; smaller images don't offer this.
Accepted File Formats
eBay accepts: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, WEBP, HEIC, and AVIF.
JPEG remains the most common choice for product photography. PNG works well for graphics or images needing transparency. Avoid animated GIFs for primary product photos.
Maximum Images Per Listing
Standard listings allow up to 12 free photos. eBay Motors listings can include up to 24. You can add more photos beyond the free limit, but eBay charges for them.
Use all your free slots. Multiple angles, close-ups, and context shots give buyers confidence. Listings with complete galleries tend to perform better than listings with a single photo.
The Anatomy of a High-Converting eBay Photo
Not all photos serve the same purpose. Each spot in your gallery has a specific job.
The Main Image: Your Search Thumbnail
Your first photo appears in search results. This single image carries most of the weight for click-through rate. Make it count.
Effective main images:
- Show the product clearly against a clean background
- Fill the frame—no tiny product lost in white space
- Display the item's most recognizable angle
- Work at thumbnail size (test this)
Avoid for main images:
- Lifestyle shots with complex backgrounds
- Multiple items when selling one item
- Images with text overlays or borders
Supporting Images: What to Include
After the main image, include:
- Back and side views - Complete the visual picture
- Close-ups - Texture, material quality, labels, logos
- Scale reference - Show size with common objects or measurements
- Condition documentation - For used items, photograph any flaws
- What's included - Show all accessories, packaging, documentation
Gallery Order That Sells
Arrange photos logically:
- Main image - Hero shot, clean background
- Alternate angles - Front, back, sides
- Detail shots - Close-ups of important features
- Context/scale - Item in use or with size reference
- Condition notes - Any flaws or wear (for used items)
- What's included - Accessories, packaging
Grade your listing for free
Get an instant score with actionable tips to improve your listing.
How to Take Better eBay Product Photos
No professional studio required. A smartphone and a basic setup can produce photos that compete with anyone's.
Lighting Setup for Beginners
Natural daylight near a window works well for most products. Avoid direct sunlight—it creates harsh shadows. Overcast days provide soft, even lighting.
For consistent results, consider a basic lightbox (available for under $30) or two desk lamps with white bulbs positioned at 45-degree angles to the product.
Background Choices That Work
Unlike Amazon's strict white-only requirement, eBay allows backgrounds ranging from white to light gray. Light shadows are acceptable.
What works:
- White posterboard or foam core
- Light gray seamless paper
- eBay's built-in background removal tool
What to avoid:
- Busy patterns or clutter
- Mirror reflections (explicitly prohibited)
- Surfaces that distract from the product
eBay's Background Removal Tool
eBay offers an AI-powered background removal feature in their mobile app (iOS and Android). Upload a photo, and the tool attempts to isolate the product and replace the background with white or a stylized alternative.
The tool works well for products with defined edges. Results vary for items with complex shapes, fur, or fine details. Preview before accepting.
Smartphone Photography Tips
Modern smartphones produce excellent product photos. To get the most from yours:
- Clean the lens - Pocket lint and fingerprints cause haze
- Lock exposure and focus - Tap and hold on the product to prevent auto-adjustment
- Use the rear camera - Higher quality than front-facing
- Avoid digital zoom - Move closer instead of zooming
- Shoot in good light - Low light means noise and blur
eBay Photos and Google Image Search
Your eBay listing photos can appear in Google's image search and Google Shopping results—but only if they meet certain criteria.
How eBay Listings Appear in Google
eBay syndicates eligible listings to Google through their Promoted Offsite program and standard Google Shopping feeds. Google pulls data from your listing—including your title, item specifics, and images.
You don't directly submit to Google. eBay handles the feed. Your job is providing clean data and compliant images that won't cause rejection.
Google Shopping Image Requirements
Google rejects listings with images that include:
- Watermarks of any kind
- Promotional text ("Sale!" "Free Shipping!")
- Borders or frames
- Multiple products in one image (for single-item listings)
- Stock photos that don't represent the actual product
If eBay sends your listing to Google and Google rejects it, you don't get a notification. The listing simply doesn't appear.
Image File Names and Alt-Text Limitations
Traditional image SEO relies on descriptive file names and alt-text. On eBay, this has limited value.
eBay renames uploaded image files to system-generated identifiers. Your carefully named "vintage-nike-air-max-90-size-10.jpg" becomes something like "s-l1600.jpg" on eBay's servers. The original filename provides no SEO benefit.
Alt-text is similarly constrained unless you're using custom HTML (available in some listing tools). For most sellers, eBay controls image metadata. Focus your SEO efforts on titles and item specifics instead.
Optimizing for Mobile Display
Mobile buyers see your listing differently than desktop users.
How Thumbnails Crop on Mobile
eBay's mobile app displays thumbnails as small squares. If your main image isn't centered or has important details near the edges, cropping may cut them off.
Before publishing: View your listing on a phone. If the thumbnail doesn't clearly show the product, reshoot the main image with the product centered and filling more of the frame.
Gallery Swiping Behavior
Mobile buyers swipe through gallery images. They expect each swipe to show something new. Don't upload near-identical photos—each image should reveal additional information about the product.
Load Speed Considerations
Large image files slow page loading. On mobile networks, this matters more than desktop. Slow-loading pages frustrate buyers.
Optimization tips:
- Keep file sizes under 500KB when possible
- Use JPEG for photos (good compression)
- Resize images before upload rather than relying on eBay's compression
Common Photo Mistakes That Hurt Sales
These errors cost you clicks, trust, and money.
Mistake: Stock Photos for Used Items
The problem: Sellers use manufacturer stock images for items that are actually used, damaged, or incomplete.
Example (violation): Listing a "used iPhone 12" with Apple's pristine product photo while the actual phone has scratches and a cracked corner.
Why it matters: eBay's Picture Policy requires original photography for used, damaged, or defective items. Using stock photos for these items can result in "not as described" claims, returns, and policy violations.
Correct approach: Photograph the actual item you're selling, including any flaws. Honest photos build trust and reduce disputes.
Mistake: Watermarks and Text Overlays
The problem: Sellers add watermarks, store logos, "FREE SHIPPING!" banners, or promotional text to images.
Example (violation): A product photo with "MyEbayStore.com" watermarked across it and "BEST DEAL!" text in the corner.
Why it matters: eBay's Picture Policy prohibits borders, text, and watermarks. Beyond policy compliance, these overlays can disqualify your listing from Google Shopping.
Correct approach: Clean product photo, no added graphics. Use the listing description and shipping settings for promotional information.
Mistake: Undersized or Low-Quality Images
The problem: Uploading images under 500 pixels, heavily compressed JPEGs, or blurry smartphone shots.
Why it matters: Small images can't zoom. Low quality signals "unprofessional" to buyers. Poor thumbnails get skipped in search results.
Correct approach: Shoot at high resolution, ensure adequate lighting, and upload images meeting eBay's recommended 1600x1600 pixels.
eBay Photo Compliance Checklist
Before publishing, verify your images meet these standards.
Do This
- Use at least one photo per listing (required)
- Upload images at 1600x1600 pixels or larger
- Shoot against white or light gray backgrounds
- Include multiple angles (front, back, sides, details)
- Photograph actual product you're selling (not stock)
- Ensure main image works as a small thumbnail
- Keep file sizes reasonable for mobile loading
Avoid This
- Images under 500x500 pixels (won't upload)
- Watermarks, logos, or ownership attributions
- Promotional text overlays ("Sale!", "Free Shipping!")
- Borders or decorative frames
- Stock photos for used or unique items
- Mirror reflections in product backgrounds
- Blurry, dark, or poorly lit photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should eBay listing photos be?
eBay requires a minimum of 500x500 pixels but recommends 1600x1600 pixels. Larger images allow buyers to use the zoom feature. Maximum dimensions are 9000x9000 pixels with a 12MB file size limit.
Do eBay photos affect search ranking?
eBay's search system tracks click-through rates. Better photos tend to attract more clicks, and higher click-through rates can positively influence search placement. While eBay doesn't publish exact ranking factors, image quality is widely considered a contributing element.
How many photos should I use on eBay?
Use all 12 free photo slots when possible. Include the main product view, multiple angles, close-ups of important details, scale references, and condition documentation for used items. More photos typically correlate with higher buyer confidence.
Can I use stock photos on eBay?
For brand-new, sealed items, manufacturer stock photos may be acceptable. However, eBay recommends original photography and requires it for used, damaged, or defective items. Stock photos that don't represent the actual item can lead to policy violations and buyer disputes.
How do eBay images appear on Google Shopping?
eBay automatically submits eligible fixed-price listings to Google Shopping. Images that comply with Google's requirements (no watermarks, no text overlays, clean backgrounds) have a better chance of being included. Sellers cannot directly control Google Shopping inclusion—eBay manages the feed submission.
Why do my eBay photos look different on mobile?
eBay's mobile app crops images to square thumbnails and displays them at small sizes. Details that appear fine on desktop may be lost on mobile. Always preview your listing on a phone before publishing and ensure your main image works at thumbnail size.
Complete Your Listing Optimization
Photos are one piece of the puzzle. Strong images paired with strong titles and complete item specifics—that's the full package. For the rest, see our guides on eBay title optimization and item specifics.
ListingForge helps you create optimized eBay listings that follow current best practices, so you can focus on photography and sourcing instead of SEO research.
Grade your listing for free
Get an instant score with actionable tips to improve your listing.
Get guides like this in your inbox.
Practical seller guides — no fluff, no daily spam.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.