The Google Merchant Center has recently clarified its guidelines regarding the use of AI-generated images within the platform. It is now a requirement for users to indicate if an image has been created using generative AI by preserving any metadata tags that indicate the use of this technology within the original image file. This means that embedded metadata tags such as trainedAlgorithmicMedia should not be removed from AI-generated images. In addition, Google specifically states that all AI-generated images must contain the IPTC DigitalSourceType trainedAlgorithmicMedia tag, with reference to the IPTC photo metadata documentation.
These rules apply to specific image attributes within both Merchant Center Classic and Merchant Center Next, including image link [image_link], additional image link [additional_image_link], and lifestyle image link [lifestyle_image_link]. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in non-compliant images being disapproved by Google within the Merchant Center.
While these rules currently only apply to the Merchant Center, it is important to note that they may be indicative of broader changes across other Google Search properties and platforms in the future. However, at this time, the focus is specifically on the use of generative AI within the Merchant Center.
In summary, it is important for users of the Google Merchant Center to be aware of these new guidelines regarding the use of AI-generated images. In order to comply with Google’s policies, it is crucial to retain any metadata tags that indicate the use of generative AI within the original image file. Failure to do so may result in non-compliant images being disapproved within the Merchant Center. It is also worth noting that while these guidelines are currently limited to the Merchant Center, they may have broader implications for other Google properties in the future.
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