Etsy requires authentic non-AI seller images while expanding AI tools — craftsmanship positioning becomes a differentiator

Context

Etsy has updated its AI use policies, now requiring at least one authentic, non-AI generated image in most seller listings even as it rolls out more AI features. The move signals that handmade authenticity remains central to the marketplace's brand promise. Marketers selling through Etsy or competing for craft-oriented shoppers should note how platform rules are shaping what counts as credible product presentation.