What the October 2026 rules ask for
In plain language: show at least one unedited photo of the real item on a real background; don’t sell AI-generated functional guides (patterns, recipes, tutorials); no fully bot-generated listings — a human has to be in the loop; digital items need a real preview of the actual file; disclose AI help; and remember buyers can report misleading AI imagery, with the seller carrying the refund.
This is a plain-language summary to help you self-check — a risk estimate, not an Etsy approval. For the exact wording, read Etsy’s own policy.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in Etsy’s October 2026 AI policy?
In plain language: physical items should include at least one unedited photo of the real item on a real background; AI-generated “functional guides” (patterns, recipes, tutorials) are not allowed; fully bot-generated listings with no human involvement are not allowed; digital listings should show a real preview of the actual file; AI involvement should be disclosed; and buyers can report misleading AI imagery, with the seller carrying the refund liability. Always read Etsy’s own policy for the exact wording.
Does this checker guarantee my listing is compliant?
No. It’s a plain-language self-check to help you decide — a risk estimate, never an “Etsy-approved” verdict. Only Etsy decides what complies. Use it to catch the obvious gaps (missing real photo, missing disclosure, a functional guide) before you publish.
What AI disclosure should I add to my Etsy listing?
A short, honest line that says AI helped and a human reviewed — for example: “This listing description was written with the help of AI tools and reviewed by me; the item is made or sourced by my shop exactly as described.” The checker gives you a copy-ready version for physical or digital items.
Can I use AI to write my Etsy listing at all?
Yes — AI can help you write the title, description and tags, as long as a human reviews and approves the listing and you disclose the AI help. What’s not allowed is a fully bot-generated listing with no human in the loop, or AI-generated functional guides (patterns/recipes). ListifyAI is built around human-in-the-loop: it drafts, you approve.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
The checker is completely free and needs no account — it runs in your browser. You only create a free account for the full listing generator, which also reads your photo and inserts the disclosure for you.