‘Every listing must include at least one photo of the actual item’: Etsy is finally cracking down on AI images and text in listings — and apparently this is just the start

• 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 Eat’s 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 you’re concerned about your work appearing alongside items that use AI in misleading ways, and that it’s 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.”