For years, getting seasonal or lifestyle product images meant expensive photoshoots or hiring Photoshop experts. Now, specialized AI tools can generate compelling images in seconds. We consistently see these images drive 10%+ lifts in click-through rates!
The process is straightforward: generate new images, then update the image_link in your product data feeds. For large catalogs, this is where enterprise data feed management is crucial, allowing you to scale these changes quickly and safely while running tests.
Recommendations for Using AI Images in Product Feeds
- ✅ DO start simple. Your first test should be replacing static backgrounds with seasonal or lifestyle scenes (e.g., a patio chair on a beach).
- ❌ DO NOT attempt complex changes like altering product angles or creating new "action" poses from a flat image. The AI isn't there yet for consistent results.
- ✅ DO use the right tools. Stick to Google Merchant Center Product Studio, Adobe Firefly, or Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill.
- ❌ DO NOT use generic AI models like stock ChatGPT. They will modify your core product image details in subtle yet unacceptable ways (hint: see the image above for 'why' - it was generated using ChatGPT and changed the stitching, GMC Product Studio and Adobe won't do that!)
- ✅ DO begin with a small product group (and manually review AI images). Run a proper feed A/B test, monitor CTR, conversions, and ensure GMC approves your images.
- ❌ DO NOT create more than 100 images, add promotional text, borders, or "flyer-style" graphics (these may violate ad policies).
Getting Started
The easiest entry point is Google Merchant Center Product Studio. It's free, built directly into GMC, and requires no extra setup. While the results aren't always perfect, they are usually more than good enough to prove the value of the concept.
For more creative control or to improve performance on social channels, tools like Adobe Firefly offer greater flexibility and can produce stronger results for mobile-focused ads.
Interested in learning more? Contact our feed engineers today for a custom-tailored feed AI demo!