TikTok Shop Image Optimization: Requirements, Sizes & Moderation Guide

Laura Cummins

Jan 26, 2026 6 min read

Updated Jan 26, 2026

TikTok Shop enforces stricter image rules than most ecommerce platforms. Every product listing passes through automated AI moderation that checks aspect ratio, background color, resolution, and content before the listing goes live. A single rule violation rejects the entire image, delaying your product launch. Understanding these requirements before you upload saves hours of back-and-forth with the moderation system.

What Size Images Does TikTok Shop Require?

Across TikTok Shop, five image types serve product listings, category pages, and shop branding. Each has strict dimension and format constraints. According to Seller Center documentation, images below the minimum dimensions are rejected outright during the listing review process.

Unlike Amazon or Shopify, TikTok Shop only accepts JPG and PNG. WebP, AVIF, GIF, and HEIC files are all rejected at upload. If your product photography workflow outputs WebP or HEIC files (common with iPhone cameras and modern editing tools), convert to JPG before uploading. Use a free image compressor that handles format conversion alongside size reduction.

White Background and Moderation Rules

TikTok Shop's most common rejection reason is a non-compliant main product image. The platform requires a pure white background (#FFFFFF) on the primary image for most product categories. Off-white tones, light gray, and subtle gradients all trigger the automated background check failure. Shoot products on a white seamless backdrop or use photo editing software to replace the background after the shoot.

The image moderation AI also scans for text content. Any promotional text, brand logos, watermarks, or price callouts embedded in the product image result in rejection. This applies to the main image and, in many cases, secondary images as well. Keep product photos clean: show the product only, with no overlaid graphics. The Amazon product image requirements follow a similar philosophy, so sellers cross-listing on both platforms can reuse the same clean product shots.

Common TikTok Shop Image Errors

Listing Rejected for Non-Square Aspect Ratio

TikTok Shop enforces a 1:1 aspect ratio on all product images. A 900x800 image is rejected even though it exceeds the 800px minimum. Crop to an exact square before uploading. If your source images are rectangular, add white padding to reach a 1:1 ratio rather than cropping out product details.

Quality Review Fails Under 800px

Images where either the width or height falls below 800 pixels fail the quality gate during listing review. This catches both undersized originals and images that were aggressively downscaled. Always verify pixel dimensions after compression -- some tools reduce dimensions as well as file size. A well-configured compressor keeps the original dimensions while reducing bytes.

White Background Check Fails on Off-White

The background detection algorithm expects pixel values very close to pure white (255, 255, 255). Studio photos shot against a slightly warm or cool-toned white sheet often register as off-white and fail. In Photoshop or GIMP, select the background area and fill with #FFFFFF to guarantee a pass. Gradient backgrounds and vignetting effects are also rejected.

CSV Batch Upload Timeouts

Sellers uploading product catalogs via CSV through TikTok Seller Center often hit timeout errors. This happens when the image URLs referenced in the CSV are slow to resolve or return large files. Compress all catalog images to under 300KB and host them on a fast CDN. The upload interface itself is slower than the TikTok Shop API, so high-volume sellers benefit from API-based batch uploads for catalogs with more than 50 products.

Formatting Products for TikTok Shop

1. Crop images to a 1:1 aspect ratio at 800x800 minimum. TikTok Shop rejects product images that are not square. Crop every main product photo to a 1:1 ratio and export at 800x800 pixels minimum. For sharper display on high-density screens, use 1200x1200 or up to 2000x2000 pixels.
2. Set a pure white background on the main product image. The main product image in most TikTok Shop categories must have a white background. Use hex #FFFFFF rather than off-white or light gray. Gradient backgrounds, lifestyle scenes, and colored backdrops trigger automated rejection on the primary image slot.
3. Remove all text, watermarks, and logos from product photos. TikTok Shop's image moderation AI scans for text overlays, brand watermarks, and promotional graphics. Strip all text from product images before uploading. Secondary images have slightly more flexibility, but text overlays on any image risk rejection.
4. Compress images to under 5MB in JPG or PNG format. Run product photos through an optimization tool to reduce file sizes while keeping dimensions above 800x800. TikTok Shop only accepts JPG and PNG formats. Target 100-300KB per image for fast uploads through TikTok Seller Center.

TikTok Shop vs Other Marketplaces

Compared to other platforms, TikTok Shop's image rules are stricter. The format restriction (JPG and PNG only) is tighter than Amazon, Shopify, or eBay, all of which accept WebP. The 1:1 aspect ratio enforcement is absolute -- no rectangular product images are allowed, unlike eBay which permits non-square photos. And the white background requirement applies through automated AI rather than manual review, leaving zero room for edge cases.

Sellers who already optimize images for Amazon will find TikTok Shop familiar: both platforms demand square images, white backgrounds, and no text overlays on the main photo. The key difference is TikTok Shop's lower resolution floor (800px vs Amazon's 1000px) and smaller format support. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on bulk compressing product photos across platforms.

For more on image optimization across ecommerce platforms, browse our platform guides hub or read our insights and tutorials.