Can images be on a different domain?

Yes. Google says images can be hosted on another domain, such as Shopify's CDN. Only the product landing page link must match.

Google Merchant Center: Mismatched domains [link] · Mismatched domains

Your product links use a different domain than your Merchant Center account

What Google's message means

The product link points to a domain that isn't the website verified and claimed in your Merchant Center account. Example: products link to yourstore.myshopify.com but Merchant Center has yourstore.com.

Why it matters

Products with mismatched domains are disapproved until the link and the registered website match.

Common causes on Shopify

Shopify's primary domain is still yourstore.myshopify.com.
Merchant Center has the www version but links use the bare domain, or the reverse.
The store moved to a new domain and Merchant Center wasn't updated.

How to fix it

1Check the website registered in Merchant Center (Settings → Business info → Your online store).
2Open one affected product and compare its link with that website, including www vs no-www and http vs https.
3Make your custom domain the primary domain in Shopify so product links use it, or verify and claim the domain your links actually use.
4Let the Google channel resync. Google says changes can take 24–72 hours to show on the Needs attention page.

In Shopify: Settings → Domains in Shopify sets the primary domain. The Google & YouTube channel builds product links from it.

How to stop it coming back

Set the primary domain before connecting the Google channel.
Update Merchant Center first when you change domains.

Common questions

Can images be on a different domain?: Yes. Google says images can be hosted on another domain, such as Shopify's CDN. Only the product landing page link must match.

Official help pages

Want to catch this before Google does?

FlagClear watches your Merchant Center every day, explains each issue in plain English and suggests Shopify fixes you approve first and can undo. We're opening store connections in stages: join free and your first scan runs as soon as your store can connect.

Join free

Google's wording and requirements change from time to time; always check the help link shown next to the issue in Merchant Center. FlagClear isn't affiliated with Google and can't guarantee review outcomes or reinstatement.