Etsy now requires at least one real, unedited photo of every item and bans AI-generated knitting patterns and recipes

Etsy will require every listing to include at least one unedited photo of the actual item and is banning AI-generated instructional products such as knitting patterns and recipes.

Under the rules announced Oct 22, as reported by The Verge and Value Added Resource, a listing's first photo must show the real item against a real background. Other photos can be touched up with AI tools as long as they accurately show what the buyer receives, and sellers may owe a refund if the item is "materially different." Patterns for knitting, sewing and embroidery, recipes, woodworking plans and similar guides must be the seller's own work, and fully automated AI listings are prohibited. Etsy said many active buyers can't tell which items involve AI, calling it one of the top three barriers to shopping more.

A seller who posted the policy email on X ("NO MORE AI PATTERNS!!! The world is healing") got 5,600 likes. Others pushed back that Etsy still allows AI-made art.