We know menu item photos drive sales by helping your offerings catch customers' eyes. Sven Vogtland, Co-Founder Coyo Taco, describes it: “As a consumer, when I scroll through menus and something really catches my eye, that's what I'm going to order for dinner that night.” That being said, we also know that you're busy and don't always have time to take photos yourself.
According to our 2024 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, customers are relying on food photos more than ever, with an 11% increase year over year. We also know from an internal study of over 15,000 local small business merchants that menus with item photos can get up to 44% more monthly sales. By adding photos, we aim to boost your visibility, save you time, and help attract more customers to your DoorDash store.
Will DoorDash add photos to my menu?
Have you ever ordered something online and when it arrives, it looks different than what you expected? This is where photos can make sure expectations match reality. They help customers visualize your dishes and make informed choices. That being said, we understand uploading photos can be time-consuming, and we want to make this easier for you.
To help customers see what they will get when they order from your store, we may use photos from your website, stock photos (e.g., generic items like a can of coke or a side of rice), Yelp, and/or DoorDash customers.
These visuals help provide authentic representations of your food, so customers feel more comfortable ordering from you. We ensure all the photos we upload follow our photo guidelines to ensure quality and consistency across the platform, and we will not add these visuals if you’ve already uploaded photos.
How can I remove photos uploaded by DoorDash?
Though the photo may not be what you would choose to upload yourself, having these photos is better than not having any. 38% of customers say they look at photos when choosing a new restaurant on DoorDash. We highly recommend replacing any images you plan to remove with your own. If you prefer not to have DoorDash-added pictures on your menu, you can:
Upload your own high-quality photos, which will automatically replace any images we uploaded.
Contact our support team to opt out of having DoorDash add photos to your menu.
For Yelp photos specifically, you can opt out through the Merchant Portal by following the steps outlined below:
Click on the item with a photo sourced from Yelp.
In the box that appears on the right, click on the item photo to enlarge the image.
Under the enlarged image, hover over the info icon next to “Photo from Yelp.”
Click on Request Menu Help.
Fill in your name, email, contact number, and the below details that you will find in your Menu Manager:
Category
Item name
Price
Applicable menu
Where it says Please add any additional menu updates in the box below, type in Please opt my store out of receiving Yelp photos.
Select if you want an immediate change or for these updates to be made at a later date.
Click Submit.
What are best practices for photos?
Taking your own high-quality photos is the best way to control your menu's visual appeal. Here are some tips:
Use natural lighting when possible.
Showcase the entire dish, including any sides or garnishes.
Ensure the food looks fresh and appetizing.
Use a clean, simple background to make the food stand out.
You can find more tips on our photo guidelines [ add link once live]. Remember, DoorDash offers free professional photo shoots to eligible merchants. This service can provide you with high-quality images that truly showcase your dishes.
The best way to take control of your menu's visual representation is by uploading your own photos. However, when DoorDash uploads pictures on your behalf, feel assured that we take measures to check the accuracy and quality of those photos before they land on your menu.
Want to upload your own menu photos? Learn How to Add DoorDash Photos.
