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Quick answer
Etsy now requires at least one unedited photo of the actual item on a real background, photos that match what the buyer gets, an AI disclosure in the description when AI made the item, and no AI-generated patterns, recipes or instructions. Paste each listing and have the AI check it against those rules, then fix it yourself.
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At a glance
All outcome figures are estimates from cited sources, not independent verification by us.
- What it is allowed to do
- Read-only
Only reads, researches, or summarizes. It never drafts outbound content or changes anything.
- Time saved (estimate)
- About 5 minutes per listing.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Tools needed
- ChatGPT, Claude
- Typical cost
- Free tiers can run the check. Prices: Not stated in sources.
Reviewed Nov 2, 2026
Basis (estimate): Estimate only: based on the steps above, not timed.
What does this setup do?
Paste an Etsy listing and get a checklist against Etsy's October 2026 AI rules: unedited photo, accurate images, AI disclosure, functional guides and bot listings, with the fix for each miss.
Who is it for?
Etsy sellers who used AI anywhere in a listing, from photos and mockups to descriptions, patterns or the item itself, and want to stay within the new rules.
How do you set it up?
Tools
- ChatGPT or Claude
- Your Etsy listing text and a list of its photos
Steps
- Copy the listing title, description and a one-line note for each photo: unedited, edited, AI background or AI mockup.
- Paste them into the prompt below with what you sell.
- Fix anything marked missing. Etsy says each listing needs at least one unedited photo of the actual item against a real background, with exceptions for some item types.
- If AI helped create the item itself, add a plain disclosure in the description. Etsy says seller-prompted AI creations must be disclosed there.
- If you sell patterns, recipes or instructions, make sure the instructions are your own work and show a real result. Etsy no longer allows AI-generated functional guides.
- Check the exceptions on Etsy's Listing Image Requirements page for your item type before changing photos.
Example output
Illustrative. Your results will differ.
- 1 Unedited real photo: MISSING. Add a plain phone photo of the candle on a table.
- 2 Accurate photos: CHECK. Photo 2's AI background shows a larger jar.
- 3 Disclosure: OK.
- 4 Functional guide: not applicable.
- 5 Human review: OK.
Where to paste this prompt
ChatGPT → Project instructions, or ChatGPT Tasks for scheduled reminders (once a day on Free)
Copy-paste prompt
Adapt bracketed fields to your situation.
Check this Etsy listing against Etsy's AI rules. Use only what I paste.
What I sell: [E.G. PHYSICAL CANDLES / DIGITAL PLANNER / KNITTING PATTERN]
Title: [PASTE]
Description: [PASTE]
Photos (one line each): [E.G. 1 unedited on table, 2 AI background, 3 mockup]
Did AI help create the item itself? [YES/NO, HOW]
Check each rule and mark OK, MISSING or CHECK:
1. At least one unedited photo of the actual item on a real background
2. Photos accurately show what the buyer receives
3. AI use disclosed in the description, if AI helped create the item
4. Patterns, recipes or instructions are the seller's own work, with a real result shown
5. The listing was written and reviewed by a person, not posted by a bot
For each MISSING, write the exact fix. Do not rewrite my listing unless I ask.Newsletter
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What usually goes wrong?
Where agents tend to stall on this job. More patterns in Where AI gets stuck.
- Assuming an AI background is fine everywhere. Check the image rules and exceptions for your item type.
- Disclosing AI in tags but not in the description.
- Selling an AI-written pattern or recipe; those are no longer allowed.
Which chat tools work with this prompt?
Paste the prompt into any of these assistants (free or paid tiers).
- ChatGPT
- Claude
Common questions
- Can I still use AI on Etsy?
- Yes, with limits. Etsy allows seller-prompted AI creations with disclosure, and AI edits to photos, but requires an unedited photo of the real item and bans AI-generated functional guides and bot listings.
- Where do I disclose AI on Etsy?
- Etsy says in the listing description, when AI was used to create the item.
- What happens if my photos do not match the item?
- Etsy says if a buyer opens a case because the item is materially different, you may be responsible for a refund.
What tips make it smoother?
- Start with your best sellers; a removed bestseller costs the most.
- Keep your disclosure line short and plain, like: Designed by the seller with AI image tools.
- Etsy may owe a buyer a refund on a materially different item, so fix photo mismatches first.
Where do the claims come from?
Summaries use public sources linked below, not independent verification. How setups are picked.
- Read Etsy’s write-up (www.etsy.com)
Etsy: Important updates to AI use on Etsy: at least one unedited photo of the actual item on a real background, photos must accurately represent the item, AI-generated functional guides not allowed, bot-generated listings not allowed, sellers may owe refunds on materially different items (read 2026-11-02 from a search result excerpt of the page)
- Read Etsy’s write-up (www.etsy.com)
Etsy: What is Etsy's stance on AI creations: seller-prompted AI creations allowed, must be disclosed in the listing description, AI prompt bundles not allowed (read 2026-11-02 from a search result excerpt of the page)
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