Real estate listings live or die by their photos. đž Whether itâs on MLS, Zillow, or Realtor.com, property photos are the first thing buyers look atâand theyâre the difference between a lead clicking through or moving on. But what happens when your photo uploads fail, get rejected, or show up looking distorted?
Youâre not alone. Many agents and photographers run into photo upload problems on major listing platforms. The good news is that most of these issues have simple fixesâand with the right approach, youâll get your photos live fast and looking their best.
In this guide, weâll cover:
Most upload problems come down to format, size, orientation, or compliance. MLS systems and consumer platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com have strict requirements. If your images donât meet them, youâll see:
This is why understanding platform-specific rules is essential. Weâve already covered broader rules in [How to Meet Photo and Video Requirements Across MLS and Major Real Estate Sites], but letâs focus specifically on photo uploads here.
Problem: You try uploading TIFF, HEIC (iPhone format), or RAW files, and they fail.
Fix: Always convert to JPEG (.jpg) before uploading. This format is universally accepted across MLS, Zillow, and Realtor.com.
đ Pro tip: In Lightroom or Photoshop, batch export photos to JPEG at 72 dpi for web optimization.
Problem: Your photo is rejected because it exceeds the platformâs size limit.
Fix: Use a compression tool like TinyPNG, Photopea, or your photo editorâs âSave for Webâ option.
đ Want a deeper breakdown? Check out [How to Upload High-Quality Photos to Homes.com] where we cover resizing tips that apply to multiple platforms.
Problem: Your photos look squished, blurry, or get cropped weirdly.
Fix:
Learn more about dimension best practices in [How to Optimize Real Estate Media for Faster Listing Approval].
Problem: MLS rejects your photo because it has a watermark, logo, or text overlay.
Fix:
Problem: You try uploading multiple images, but the process stalls or fails.
Fix:
If the problem persists, clear your browser cache or try another browser.
Problem: Zillow or Realtor.com shuffles your photos, with the exterior not showing first.
Fix:
For extra control across platforms, see [How to Upload 3D Tours to Multiple Platforms at Once], which also covers automated media syncing.
Problem: Vertical iPhone photos look bad or get rejected.
Fix:
Hereâs a quick photo prep checklist before uploading:
This process eliminates 90% of rejections and delays.
Buyers donât just want photosâthey want them fast. Compressed, optimized photos load quickly, which boosts your listingâs visibility. Remember: slow-loading photos can hurt SEO rankings inside Zillow and Realtor.com search results.
Read more about automating your media distribution in [How to Add Virtual Tours to All Your Listings (MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.].
Stop wasting time on photo upload errors. Instead, focus on closing deals. Try our tools today:
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Interchangeable lens thatâs upgradeable
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Waterproof up to 33ft for underwater shooting.
360° photo resolution in 23MP
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Internal 19GB storage for photo and video storage.
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60MP 360° still images for high-resolution photography.
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2.25-inch touchscreen for intuitive control.
USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer.
MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
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