Said It Here

When is it okay to use AI for product photos?

Using AI to generate or edit product photos makes it hard to know where the line is between helpful touch-ups and showing items that don't actually exist. This ambiguity leaves honest sellers worried about misleading customers when they use AI to make up for lacking a graphic designer or a proper photography space.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

  1. 1
    Including self-taken photos alongside edited ones
  2. 2
    Limiting artificial intelligence usage to background cleaning, mockups, or minor visual elements while keeping the core product human-made
  3. 3
    Reaching out to the seller privately via message instead of leaving a public critique
  4. 4
    Skipping the review entirely
  5. 5
    Leaving a positive review accompanied by a real photo of the item

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.

“Seller used an AI enhanced photo, but the item itself is surprisingly really nice. Why did they even use AI?? Is it worth mentioning in a review/mentioning it to the seller if I'm actually happy with what I received?”source ↗

“I'm torn, because frankly I would NOT have bought it if it wasn't for that other person's review and photos because it looked fake as hell.”source ↗

“the fact they used it at all has soured it for me, but I also feel kinda bad giving them anything lower due to the listing because the item itself doesn't justify it.”source ↗

Little-Swordfish-133 · r/Etsy · 2 upvotes

“I sell digital educational resources, and I sometimes use AI for some visual elements because I’m not a graphic designer.”source ↗

mundofacilpdf2025 · r/Etsy · 1 upvotes

“I use artificial intelligence to edit some photos of the products I make because I don't have a dedicated space for photography.”source ↗

“However, I notice that some shops display product photos generated entirely by AI—showing products that don't actually exist. This bothers me.”source ↗

Sudden-Stomach1383 · r/Etsy · 1 upvotes

Where this came up

r/Etsyartificial intelligencee-commerceethicsonline shopping

People with this problem also raised