Etsy is finally cracking down on AI in product listings

Date:
Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:27:49 +0000

Description:
The Etsy AI crackdown has begun, and misleading listings will be the first to go.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Etsy has updated its Seller Handbook to include new guidance on how AI can be used Products must include at least one unaltered listing image that shows the actual product AI can still be used for some purposes, but misleading images will hopefully start
to disappear In the wake of Just Eats AI generated food image fiasco , Etsy has decided to update its policies to prevent AI being used to generate or edit images, create guides, or use bots to generate listings.

The new guidelines , enacted in October, are part of an effort to crack down on images, recipes, and instructions that have been partially or fully AI generated that could mislead customers and it could help cut down on the torrents of AI slop that have infiltrated the internet .

You, our seller community, have told us youre concerned about your work appearing alongside items that use AI in misleading ways, and that its becoming harder for buyers to recognize your role in creating your items, the announcement states. We're taking an important first step to address these challenges. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: (Image
credit: Etsy) Etsy changes AI usage rules The steps Etsy is taking include changes to how products are physically presented in images, how AI can be
used to edit images, and how functional guides are written.

For a start, Etsy now requires at least one of the listing images to be a
real photo of the actual item being sold with on a real background without
any edits or alterations made. But this image doesnt have to be the first image potential customers will see when viewing your listing. You may like AI image tools: a game changer for creativity and retails multi-billion-dollar abuse problem From event posters to cafe menus, AI slop is everywhere in the real world Just Eat's AI images trial has exposed a much bigger problem with AI

But if youre wondering about non-physical purchases such as artwork printed by a third-party Etsy will allow unedited mock ups from manufacturers for print-on-demand services to be used as the real product photo. As for audio and digital downloads, Etsy says the imagery cannot mislead customers.

Dont worry, AI editing is still allowed in some circumstances such as to change lighting and exposure or to resize an image. Backgrounds can also be
AI generated as long as the actual product isnt changed in any way, but using AI to alter the actual product by changing colors, condition, or features of an item is now a hard no in Etsys books. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Finally, when it comes to other products commonly listed for crafters or cooks, Etsy is changing how they can be written. Written work for instructions, patterns and recipes have to be fully written by the seller
with an image representing the real results. So for a knitting pattern or bread recipe, the image must show the finished product.

To enforce better detection of AI generated or misleading content, Etsy says it is investing in tools to better identify authentic versus misleading
images and detect and remove listings that use AI to create fraudulent inventory.

The platform is also expanding categories to include misleading AI imagery when reporting listings, which will be used to help us better understand how members perceive potential AI misuse.

If you are currently using AI generated images for products on Etsy, you
still have some time to update listings and wont face immediate enforcement. The company says it will provide tips to help you accurately represent your items and meet our photo expectations, with guidance also provided to sellers with existing AI edited listings. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/every-listing-must-include-a t-least-one-photo-of-the-actual-item-etsy-is-finally-cracking-down-on-ai-image s-and-text-in-listings-and-apparently-this-is-just-the-start


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