Etsy bans AI-generated recipes and patterns from marketplace

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 01:32 · Archive

Etsy has banned the sale of AI-generated recipes, patterns and instructions on its platform.

Etsy announced Thursday that it will no longer allow merchants to sell AI-generated recipes, patterns, cooking instructions and other 'functional guides' on its marketplace. These products are typically marketed as digital downloads such as crochet or sewing patterns. The company said buyers and sellers have expressed concerns about AI-generated content, with buyers saying they cannot tell which items involve AI and sellers worried about their work appearing alongside misleading AI-generated items.

Under the new rules, sellers offering functional guides must create the content themselves rather than using AI, and must show an actual item made using the instructions. All listings must include at least one unedited photo of the actual item against a real background. Sellers are also prohibited from creating bot-generated listings without human involvement. When uploading images, Etsy will alert sellers if it detects AI-generated content and ask them to confirm whether images were made with AI.

Etsy said it will continue to allow AI-generated art on the platform, but sellers must disclose when items are created using AI and cannot misrepresent AI-generated work as handmade. Sellers must play 'a clear role' in what they create and be transparent about the process.

How it is being reported

• Etsy is cracking down on AI slop listingsEtsy is announcing stricter rules about how AI can be used in listings to reduce the volume of AI slop on the platform. In a post, the company says that "many active buyers say they can't tell which items involve AI-generated content" and that sellers are "concerned about your work appearing alongside items that use […]The Verge · 23 Oct, 01:09
• Etsy bans AI-generated recipes and patterns from its online marketplaceEtsy also laid out clearer rules around AI usage on its platform, including barring sellers from creating bot-generated listings without any human involvement.CNBC · 23 Oct, 00:45

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