Etsy has announced a ban on the sale of AI-generated functional guides, including cooking recipes, sewing patterns, and craft instructions. These digital downloads often require significant effort from buyers to produce a final result, and the platform aims to address concerns regarding product quality and transparency.
Sellers are now required to display images of physical items created from their instructions rather than relying on AI-generated simulations. This policy shift is intended to help buyers visualize the actual outcome of their purchases and restore trust within the marketplace, which has been impacted by the proliferation of AI-generated content.
The company is also prohibiting the use of automated bots for creating product listings without human oversight. Furthermore, sellers must provide at least one unedited photograph of the physical product being sold to ensure authenticity and prevent misleading representations of handmade goods.
While AI-generated art remains permitted on the platform, sellers must disclose the use of AI in their creative process. Etsy emphasizes that creators must play a clear role in the production and cannot falsely label AI-generated items as entirely handmade. This move aligns with broader efforts to manage AI content across online marketplaces.
