What are common reasons my menu photo was rejected?
Your photo may be rejected for the following reasons:
Photo is the wrong size or resolution
What's required
Minimum size: 1400 × 800 px
Maximum file size: 2 MB
Low-resolution photos look blurry and reduce customer trust. Always check your image size before uploading. Don't upscale small images — this causes blur and pixelation.
How to check image size
Windows: Right-click image → Properties → Details
Mac: Right-click image → Get Info → Dimensions
Photo is too zoomed in or out
What's required
At least 80% of the item must be visible in the frame
Customers need to clearly understand portion size before ordering. Properly centered photos that show the entire item help to manage customer expectations.
How to properly capture your item
Center the item
Avoid extreme close-ups or distant shots
Show the full item whenever possible (for bottles, plates, bowls)
Approved placement example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: The image is centered, with at least 80% of the item showing. The lighting shows all ingredients.
Rejected placement example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: The lighting and focus are strong in this shot, but it's impossible to determine the portion size because the entire item isn't visible.
There is an issue with the framing (aspect ratio)
What's required
Landscape 16:9 aspect ratio only
Vertical or square photos are not accepted
Most customers order on mobile, and vertical images take up too much space on the screen. Landscape photos show more detail without clutter, providing the customer with as much visual information as possible.
How to get the right aspect ratio
Shoot horizontally from the start
Don't crop vertical photos to fit 16:9 (this often cuts off the item)
Avoid stretching images to force the ratio
Approved ratio example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: The image is centered, and 100% of the item is visible. There are no extra items, and it's against a simple background.
Rejected ratio example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: The first image is vertical and does not match the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Poor lighting
What's required
Bright, even lighting
No harsh shadows (undersaturation) or blown-out highlights (oversaturation)
Poor lighting can make food look different from what it actually is, leading the customer to expect something different than what they'll receive.
How to get the right lighting
Use natural light when possible
Avoid standing between the light source and the item
Make sure details are visible in both highlights and shadows
Approved lighting example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: The image is centered against a neutral background. The details are clear in the highlights and the shadows.
Rejected lighting example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: The lighting is too harsh, and the contrast is too high.
There is an issue with the background
What's required
Use a simple, non-distracting background
Make sure the item fills 50–70% of the frame
The background should feel natural and realistic
The food should always be the focus. Busy, artificial, or overly colorful backgrounds can distract customers and make what's included with the item unclear.
How to find the ideal background
Photograph items on natural, neutral surfaces (tables, counters, trays)
Use white backgrounds only if they look natural and don't cut off any part of the item
Use ingredients as accents only when they help show what's included
Avoid flashy, cluttered, or photoshopped backgrounds
Don't place items on solid-color backgrounds that pull attention away from the food
Approved background/setting example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: This item is displayed on a clean, neutral-colored background, with no additional items surrounding it.
Rejected background/setting example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: Images can't have creative, overly colorful, or transparent/white backgrounds. Photoshopping a creative background onto a photo will also be cause for rejection.
Photo includes overlays, borders, or watermarks
What's required
Photos must be clean and unedited
Images should appear exactly as photographed, without added elements like extra text, graphics, or borders
Edited overlays reduce visual consistency across DoorDash and can create copyright or ownership concerns.
How to use overlays
Upload original photos only, without added text, graphics, or logos
Avoid borders, letterboxing, or white side bars caused by incorrect cropping
Remove watermarks before uploading
Logos are acceptable only when they naturally appear on items like cups, plates, or napkins
Text is acceptable only if it exists on the item itself and was not added digitally
Approved overlay example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: The text is a natural part of the item and wasn't edited afterward.
Rejected overlay example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: Watermarks make the photo appear as if it were stolen or used without permission.
There are people in the photo
What's required
No people visible in menu photos
Hands are allowed only if they don't distract from or obscure the item
Food should be the focal point in every menu photo, and avoiding identifiable people helps prevent privacy issues.
How to use people in your image
Frame the shot so that no faces, bodies, or identifiable body parts appear
If hands are included, keep them out of focus, off to the side, and secondary to the item
Avoid poses where hands or arms take up a significant portion of the frame
Use utensils in action (forks, chopsticks, tongs) only if the hand itself is not visible
Approved image with people example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: The hands are off to the side, out of frame.
Rejected image with people example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: The hand occupies too much of the frame and distracts from the food.
Photo is not representative of the item, or a mismatch
What's required
The photo must show exactly what is included with the menu item
The portion size must be clear and realistic
Images must reflect the actual item served, not an idealized or generic version
Photos should set accurate expectations for customers and help prevent confusion, disappointment, and order issues.
How to represent your item
Show only one item per photo, unless multiple items are sold together (for example, family meals or bundles)
Avoid "hero shots" that combine multiple items sold separately
Use real photos of your actual item — don't use clip art, illustrations, or stock graphics
Make the portion size easy to understand by:
Showing the full item in frame
Using ingredients or props only for scale, not decoration or confusion
Approved representation example (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: Using ingredients as decoration to showcase what comes in a certain item is acceptable.
Rejected representation example (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: "Hero shots" (photos of multiple items sold separately) aren't acceptable, as each photo must show exactly what a customer will receive when ordering that item.
Photo is out of focus
What's required
Photos must be sharp, clear, and in focus
Images should not appear blurry, pixelated, or stretched
The item should look natural and proportional within the frame
Low-resolution/blurry photos take away from the professionalism and visually appealing aspect of our platform. Blurry photos reflect poorly on DoorDash's brand and the merchant.
How to remain in focus
Make sure the camera is properly focused before taking the photo
Use a tripod in low-light settings to prevent motion blur
Shoot at the proper resolution — don't upscale small images
Never stretch or squeeze images to fit the 16:9 aspect ratio
Approved focus examples (what we're looking for)
Reason for approval: This image is clear and shows the entire item.
Rejected focus examples (what to avoid)
Reason for rejection: The camera wasn't properly focused when this photo was taken, resulting in a blurry image.
There are copyright issues
What's required
Photos must be original images that you own the rights to
Images must have clear and verifiable usage rights
Why: DoorDash can only display images with clear usage rights to protect merchants, customers, and the platform from copyright issues.
How to avoid copyright issues
Upload photos you took yourself or images you fully own the rights to
Submit images directly through the Merchant Portal
Don't use stock photos, images copied from websites, or third-party images
Remove watermarks before uploading photos
There are duplicate photos
What's required
Each unique menu item must have its own photo
Photos can be reused only if they represent the exact same item
Why: Using the correct photo for each item helps prevent customer confusion and keeps menu management in the Merchant Portal simple and accurate.
How to avoid duplicate photos
Upload separate photos for items that differ by protein, flavor, or preparation
Example: “Beef Taco” and “Chicken Taco” each need their own photo
Use one photo for a generic item if variations aren't listed separately
Example: “Taco” (single item) can use one photo
Don't re-upload photos that are already approved
Visit the Help Center for more Merchant Support.
What happens after my photo is rejected?
When a photo is rejected, you'll receive an email from DoorDash explaining why. You can view rejected photos in the Merchant Portal:
Log in to the Merchant Portal
Go to Menu Manager
Look for a rejection notice at the top of your menu
Select View items to see affected photos
Open the item to review the rejection reason
Uploaded a corrected photo that meets all requirements
How do I resubmit a rejected photo?
Before resubmitting a rejected photo, make sure it meets DoorDash's photo requirements. After fixing the issue:
Go to Menu Manager in the Merchant Portal
Select the affected item
Choose Add new photo
Upload the updated image for review
Looking for insight into photo requirements? Here's a quick run-down:
Logos must be clear and recognizable
Minimum resolution: 230 x 230 px
Recommended aspect ratio: Square (1:1)
File size: Under 2 MB
Headers and carousel photos can't include text, borders, or overlays — multiple items are allowed if only photographed together
Minimum resolution: 1400 x 800 px
Aspect ratio: Web (4:1), App (16:9)
File size: Under 2 MB
Item photos can't have text, graphic overlays, or borders — they must showcase your food/product, focus only on the dish linked, and be centered
Minimum resolution: 1400 x 800 px
Aspect ratio: Landscape (16:9)
File size: Under 16 MB
It's also important to use the correct photo type to avoid rejection:
Item photo: A photo of a single menu item that shows size, shape, color, and ingredients
Carousel photo: A scrollable set of images customers can flip through on your store page
Header photo: The image shown at the top of your store page
Logo: Your restaurant's brand logo (not a food item)
How do DoorDash-added photos work, and can they be rejected?
If a menu item doesn't have a photo, DoorDash may automatically add one to help customers understand what they're ordering.
These photos may come from:
A connected Instagram business account, if linked in the Merchant Portal
Yelp
All DoorDash-added photos go through the same moderation standards as merchant-uploaded photos and can be rejected. However, by using DoorDash-added photos, it's more likely your images will be approved, as they're chosen according to DoorDash's photo guidelines.
DoorDash will never replace photos you upload yourself.
Can I replace or remove a DoorDash-added photo?
Yes, you can replace and remove DoorDash-added photos at any time with the following methods:
Upload your own photo: Your image will automatically replace a DoorDash-added photo.
Opt out entirely: Contact Merchant Support if you don't want DoorDash to add photos to your menu.
Opt out of Yelp photos: You can request removal of Yelp-sourced photos directly from Menu Manager using Request Menu Help. Make sure to include the category, item name, price, and applicable menu, then tap Submit.
Are there more tips to avoid photo rejection?
To avoid photo rejection in the future, keep these tips in mind:
Use natural lighting when possible
Showcase the entire dish, including sides and garnishes
Ensure the food looks fresh and appetizing
Use a clean, simple background to make the food stand out
Take advantage of the DoorDash Photo Editor in the Merchant Portal
If you're still unsure of whether your photo will pass DoorDash requirements, consider a free professional photoshoot. For eligible merchants, DoorDash offers up to 20 high-quality images of your most popular dishes at no extra cost.
