Etsy cracks down on AI slop in listings

Etsy, the marketplace for handmade and craft goods, has announced stricter rules on how artificial intelligence may be used in listings. The goal is to curb the flood of so-called AI slop that is increasingly filling up the platform.

In its post, the company explains the reasoning. Many active buyers, Etsy says, simply can't tell which items involve AI-generated content. And sellers are concerned that their work ends up appearing alongside listings where AI is used in misleading ways.

What changes for photos

Every listing must now include at least one unedited photo of the actual item against a real background, and all photos must accurately represent what the buyer will receive. Photos other than the first may still be edited with software or AI-powered tools — but only as long as the final result remains an accurate representation of the physical product. Etsy shared several examples of what is prohibited, including a cat stuffed animal.

When images are uploaded, the platform will check them for signs of AI generation. If it detects anything suspicious, the seller is shown a pop-up asking whether the image was made with AI. And if a buyer reports that what they received is materially different from the listing, the seller may be on the hook for a refund.

Guides, bots and honest disclosure

Separate requirements apply to "functional guides" — patterns, recipes and instructions. The information in such products must be the seller's own work, not generated by AI, and sellers will have to show an actual result made from the guide. Listings created by bots are no longer allowed.

Selling AI-generated art remains permitted on Etsy — but only with mandatory disclosure that the work was made with AI.

Source: The Verge