Why eBay Lets You Put Text and Graphics on Images and Amazon Mostly Won’t - Real Seller Lessons
7 Practical Questions About Text and Graphics on Marketplace Images (and Why They Matter)
Which images sell better: plain photos or photos with overlays? Can you tell buyers sizing, fitment, or condition on the picture itself? Will a marketplace suspend you for a big bold “REFURBISHED” stamp? These aren’t trivia. Wrong moves cost impressions, clicks, and money. Below are the exact questions I will answer, with direct examples from my own failures and a bar-conversation with another seller that changed how I list.
What exactly can you put in product images on eBay versus Amazon? Is Amazon’s image text policy actually stricter than eBay’s? How do I add text overlays to eBay photos without getting penalized? When should I use graphic overlays to boost conversions? What mistakes get listings suppressed fast? How will marketplace image rules evolve in 2026 and what should sellers do now? What tools make compliant image overlays quick and repeatable? What Exactly Can You Put in Product Images on eBay Versus Amazon?Short answer: eBay lets you do more. Amazon forces strict cleanliness on the main image. Both have limits. The details make the difference between higher conversion and a suspended listing.
How strict is Amazon really?For Amazon, the main image generally must show the product on a white background, fill most of the frame, and contain no promotional text, badges, logos, or watermarks. I learned this the hard way: I uploaded a main image with a “90-Day Warranty” badge because I thought buyers needed that reassurance upfront. Listing suppressed. Reinstating took time and cost sales. I moved the badge into secondary images and the product returned to active status. For Amazon, the rules are not negotiable when it comes to the main image.
What does eBay allow that Amazon won’t?eBay gives you more latitude. You can include text overlays like measurements, material, condition terms like “new in box” or “used - excellent,” and small promotional badges in images. That doesn’t mean go wild. The image still must accurately represent the item and not obscure critical details. After a night at a sellers’ conference, a guy at the bar told me he doubled conversion on a set of car parts by putting a small “Fits 2010-2014 F150” overlay on the image. I tried it and got the same lift. Listing views and sales rose measurably because shoppers scanning mobile listings see that callout before they read the title.
Rule Amazon (Main Image) eBay Text overlays on main image No Allowed, if not misleading or obstructive Promotional badges No Allowed Background White preferred No strict color requirement Watermarks No Usually allowed, but avoid hiding details Is Amazon’s Image Text Policy Actually Stricter Than eBay’s?Yes. But it is not just stricter - it enforces different priorities. Amazon optimizes for uniform browsing and search relevance. eBay optimizes for white background product photos quick buyer decisions on diverse used and specialist goods.
Why the difference matters for sales tacticsOn Amazon, you earn visibility by matching catalog data and by having images that pass automated scans. You cannot stand out with text on the main image. On eBay, a clear, honest overlay can stop a buyer mid-scroll and push them into the listing. That matters for high-intent buyers checking fitment or condition on mobile.
Example: I ran the same refurbished Bluetooth speaker across platforms. On Amazon I lost sales when my main image had a “Tested - Like New” label because the listing was blocked until I removed the text. On eBay I added the same label and the item’s click-through rate increased by 28 percent over two weeks. The buyer pool was different, and eBay’s interface exposed that overlay right away.
How Do I Add Text Overlays to eBay Photos Without Getting Penalized?Do this step-by-step. No guessing. Use the checklist below before you upload images.
Do you need the text? Ask: will this info reduce returns or speed purchase decisions? If yes, proceed. Keep it factual. “Fits 2010-2014 F150” is fine. “Lifetime warranty” is risky unless verified. Keep text small and non-obstructive. Don’t hide product details under a giant banner. Use consistent placement across images so buyers learn to look there - bottom-right is safe. Include the same claim in the listing text. If you show “tested,” explain the testing process in the description to avoid disputes. Keep originals. Upload edited versions but keep unedited originals in case of disputes. A/B test: run versions with and without overlays for 1-2 weeks and compare conversion rates. What I did and what I learned the painful wayFailure story: I once slapped a big “AUTHENTIC” stamp across a pre-owned sneaker photo to stop questions about authenticity. Buyer complained. eBay sided with buyer and removed my listing for misrepresentation. Lesson: don’t use absolute claims you can’t document. After that, I changed to “Verified by X” and linked to my verification process in the description. No more removals, and disputes dropped.
Quick template for safe overlay text Top line: Condition - “New”, “Used - Very Good” Second line: Specifics - “Fits 2010-2014 F150”, “128GB, Unlocked” Small badge: “Free Returns” only if you actually offer that When Should I Use Graphic Overlays to Boost Conversions?Short answer: when the overlay solves a buyer’s question in one glance. Long answer: pick high-friction listings - items with fitment concerns, condition ambiguity, or complex specs. Those listings convert with overlays.
Which categories benefit most? Auto parts and accessories - buyers must know fitment instantly Electronics - capacity, unlocked status, or model numbers Collectibles and used goods - condition grading Bundles and kits - show included parts in a single image with labelsExample: I sell replacement lens caps. When I added a small overlay showing the model numbers that fit, returns dropped 35 percent. The overlay avoided mismatch purchases. Another seller I met at that same conference bar used overlays to mark OEM versus aftermarket and stopped months of “wrong part” returns overnight.
Advanced tactics that actually move sales Dynamic overlays for variants - generate images with the exact SKU or size for the listing variant so buyers see the exact item. Use callout strips for mobile - small horizontal tags at the top that read well on phones. Combine short video clips with stills that have overlays to answer the common question: “Does it work?” What Mistakes Get Listings Suppressed Fast?Don’t guess here. Those are the moves that trigger automation and human review.
Making unverifiable claims in images - “Genuine Rolex” without proof. Obscuring essential product details - a banner that hides defects or serial numbers. Using copyrighted logos deceptively - placement implies official endorsement when there is none. Mismatched information between image and description - creates buyer complaints and policy flags.One more example: I once used a supplier’s logo on an accessory image to show compatibility. The supplier flagged the listing for trademark misuse. eBay took it down until I removed the logo and clarified that the part was compatible but not made by the brand. Lesson: compatibility calls are fine, brand logos for endorsement are not.
How Will Marketplace Image Rules Evolve in 2026 and What Should Sellers Do Now?Trend prediction: marketplaces will rely more on automated image scanning, and enforcement will get faster. That means small policy violations that once got warnings may lead to instant suppression. They will also demand clearer provenance for high-risk categories like health products and luxury goods.
What should you change today? Standardize and document your image process - store originals, edits, and statements that back up any claims you display. Automate image generation to avoid manual errors - templates reduce risk of inconsistent claims. Keep legal-safe phrases handy - “Compatible with” instead of “For [Brand]” when necessary. Avoid absolute promises in overlays - “Lifetime” or “Guaranteed” invites scrutiny unless you have paperwork.Ask yourself: will the image hold up under automated scrutiny? If the answer is no, change it now.
Simple tools and a compliance checklist make the difference between an experiment and a repeatable system.
Canva - quick overlays and templates for variants. Good for non-designers. Photoshop or Affinity Photo - precise editing and batch processing. Bulk image processors - for resizing, watermarking, and format conversion. eBay Seller Center image policy pages - read before you test; policies change. Amazon Seller Central image guidelines - necessary to avoid immediate suppression. Spreadsheet or DAM (digital asset manager) - track which overlay goes with which SKU and why. Need Tool Why Templates for variants Canva / Photoshop Create reusable overlays placed consistently Batch processing ImageMagick / Affinity Speed edits across thousands of SKUs Compliance tracking Spreadsheet / DAM Document claims and proof so you can respond fast More Questions Sellers Ask (and Short, Practical Answers) Can I use the same image across platforms?Yes, but modify the main image for Amazon to remove overlays. Keep a separate “Amazon-ready” file. Reuse overlays on eBay or social channels.
Not directly. Marketplaces index title and description. The image helps click-through, not search rank. But higher CTR can indirectly improve relevance signals.
How do I prove a claim I put on an image?Maintain documentation - test logs, photos of serial numbers, invoices. Link or mention verifications in the description. If challenged, you need those records fast.
Should I hire a designer?Not for simple overlays. Use templates and keep designs consistent. Hire a designer only when your product images become a core part of branding and the crop of SKUs justifies it.
Final Checklist Before Uploading Any Image Does the image reflect the exact SKU accurately? Is any overlay factual and documentable? Does the overlay avoid covering critical product details? Does the image version match marketplace rules for the primary image? Do you have originals and a record that justifies any claims?Last practical note: be pragmatic. You will never win by trying to be clever around policies. Test where it’s allowed, measure impact, document your claims, and use overlays to answer the buyer’s single biggest friction point. That is where overlays shine - not in pretty branding, but in solving questions before the buyer clicks.
If you want, I can draft a set of overlay templates for your top 10 SKUs and a compliance tracker sheet you can use to avoid the common pitfalls I described. Tell me your category and the three biggest buyer questions you face and I’ll map it out.