What's changing
Etsy's announcement says listings must include at least one unedited photo of the actual item against a real background, and that all photos must accurately represent what the buyer will receive. Listings created by bots without human involvement are prohibited, and AI cannot be used to create functional instructions such as patterns, recipes and plans. Etsy says some exceptions may apply depending on what a seller sells. Etsy gave no effective date. It says reports of misleading AI images will at first help it understand seller concerns and will not trigger immediate enforcement. Trade coverage adds that print-on-demand sellers can keep using authorized mockups for standard products, that digital downloads need a preview, that AI-made art is still allowed when AI use is disclosed, and that removals of violating listings are expected to expand over the coming months. Etsy has not explained how it will detect violations, so check its Seller Handbook for the exact wording.
Who's affected: Etsy sellers who use AI to make photos, listings, patterns or recipes, and sellers of physical goods whose listings have only edited or generated photos.
What to do about it
- Make sure every physical product listing has at least one unedited photo of the actual item against a real background.
- Remove or replace any pattern, recipe or plan that was created with AI, and any listing made without human input.
- Disclose AI use where you sell AI-made products or art, and check Etsy's Seller Handbook for exceptions that apply to your product type.
