DoorDash Photos: Requirements, Market Share, and How PlatePhoto Speeds You Up

DoorDash commands the largest U.S. delivery audience—roughly two-thirds of app-based delivery orders in recent Statista snapshots—so your menu photos here matter most. Strong imagery means faster ordering and fewer bounces. This guide summarizes DoorDash’s photo requirements and shows how PlatePhoto helps you comply in minutes.

Market context: U.S. delivery is huge (and DoorDash leads)

The U.S. is home to the world’s second-largest online food delivery market (behind China), with an estimated $353B in revenues in 2024 and more than $95B generated in meal delivery alone. By 2029, the market is forecast to exceed $500B as online grocery and meal delivery keep growing. Source: Statista’s U.S. online food delivery overview.

In that “food delivery war,” DoorDash is the clear U.S. leader: it controlled roughly two-thirds of the online meal delivery market as of March 2024 and was also the most downloaded delivery app in the U.S. in 2024 (about 19M downloads, vs. ~12M for Uber Eats). Statista.

Competition is cut-throat because customers can easily switch apps: long delivery time is a top frustration for roughly a third of U.S. consumers and delivery charges are another major complaint (~26%). Operators are also managing macro pressure and a push toward profitability—both DoorDash and Uber Eats posted positive profit figures in 2024. Statista.

Why DoorDash Photos Matter

• DoorDash’s own research shows header images can lift sales up to 50% and logos up to 23% for menus with branding.
• Menus with appetizing photos reduce uncertainty and speed checkout—crucial on a platform that moves the majority of U.S. delivery volume.
• DoorDash reviews images before approval; compliant photos get live faster and keep your listings active.

DoorDash Photo Requirements (Overview)

Per the official DoorDash Merchant Learning Center photo guide:

• Aspect ratios: thumbnails 1:1, detail headers 16:9—keep the hero centered.
• File quality: high-res, appetizing, no clutter; expect review within ~1 business day.
• Branding: add header + logo to capture up to 50%/23% incremental sales (DoorDash study).
• Review flow: pending clock icon until approved; rejected images can be resubmitted.

Why DoorDash Rejects Photos

You’ll see rejection reasons in email and inside Menu Manager. The most common issues:

• Zoomed too tight: a cropped-in plate won’t render well—shoot landscape and keep the full item visible.
• Distracting background: busy cloths, neon props, or artificial backdrops pull focus; use a neutral surface instead.
• Overlays or graphics: text, logos, or stickers on the image trigger rejection—upload a clean photo.
• Collage layouts: multiple photos stitched together aren’t allowed—stick to a single frame.
• Lighting problems: overly dark or blown-out shots hide detail; use soft window light or turn off harsh flash.
• Blurry or low-res: out-of-focus or under 230x230px; keep the main item sharp even if the background is soft.
• Color drift: unnatural tones or heavy filters; aim for true-to-life color with natural light.
• Unappetizing cues: half-eaten food, messy plates, visible plasticware, or sloppy plating.
• People in frame: faces are not permitted; hands and arms are fine only when holding the item.
• Non-item imagery: the photo doesn’t clearly show the dish—make sure the entire item appears.
• Mismatch or extras: image doesn’t match the menu item or shows additional items not included.
• Duplicates: reusing the same shot twice on the menu isn’t allowed.
• Copyright risk: photos flagged as potentially not yours—only submit images you created or own.

What Helps Photos Get Approved

Prioritize your signature dishes first so shoppers see your best-sellers immediately. Then align with these definitions and specs:

Photo types DoorDash expects

• Item photo: Shows the actual dish—size, shape, color, and key ingredients.
• Carousel photo: A header or swipeable set that gives customers a quick sense of your menu.
• Header photo: The hero image at the top of your store page.
• Logo: A clean version of your brand mark.

Item photo specifications

• File size: under 16 MB.
• Aspect ratio: landscape 16:9 for headers; keep your dish centered.
• Minimum resolution: 1400 x 800px.
• File types: JPG, JPEG, or PNG.
• Content rules: no text, graphics, or borders.
• Framing: focus on the individual dish that matches the linked item.
• Composition: center the food with some breathing room so crops fit cleanly.

Practical Upload Checklist

• Shoot or upload with negative space around the plate so crops don’t cut edges.
• Center the hero item; avoid hands, utensils mid-air, or branded packaging unless required.
• Export two versions: square (1:1) and wide (16:9) if you’re not auto-cropping with PlatePhoto.
• Check color accuracy—no radioactive greens or heavy saturation.
• Add alt text and descriptive filenames for SEO when embedding on your site.

Market Share Snapshot

Recent U.S. delivery share estimates (e.g., Statista, 2024): DoorDash ~65–67%, Uber Eats ~23%, Grubhub ~9%. Winning the DoorDash shelf is the biggest volume lever.