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With the rise of AI, Etsy has become rife with computer-generated images of products that aren’t real. Here’s how to spot and avoid unknowingly making AI purchases on Etsy.
1The Item Is Labeled “Designed By"
Etsy has a label that sellers can add to their products to show that the design may have been made with AI. This transparency is great, but it does not distinguish between which sellers made their art with AI and which sellers did not use AI.
Screenshot by Marissa Zupancic — no attribution
Additionally, some sellers use AI mockups of a product that may look much different than the final product. you’re able to look at the product description to see if the seller reveals they used an AI mockup for the product picture.
2Check the Reviews
It’s important to check the reviews of the product you’re interested in purchasing. Etsy allows you to scroll through multiple pages of reviews to find one- and two-star reviews. Some people who purchased the product may leave a review saying the pictured image was not what they received. Additionally, Etsy has a badge for some shops that shows they frequently receive five-star reviews, which can help weed out fake products as well.
Etsy is not the only platform where you can find AI images. Here’s aguide on how to spot AI images on food delivery apps, too.
3Look at Multiple Pictures
Sometimes, the first photo that pops up for the product may be generated by AI. If you scroll through the other photos of the product, the “real” product may appear.
For example, this manatee crochet pattern’s first picture looks eerily perfect. However, if you scroll through the other photos, the real project you’d make looks entirely different. The proportions are off, the snout is smaller, and it has clear imperfections commonly found in handmade goods.
4Look at the Background of the Product
Oftentimes, blurred backgrounds are a giveaway that the image was created with AI. Looking back at the manatee pattern, the background is nondescript and blurred. While some sellers may blur the background on a photo they took themselves to showcase the product better, it can be a red flag for AI.
5The Item Looks Too Good to Be True
The best tell for whether an image is AI can often be your own instinct. If you’re scrolling through Etsy and see a product that just looks better than other results or has something off about it, it’s probably AI.
As AI continues to spread across the Internet, it’s important to be able to identify when sellers use AI. Now you’ll be able to identify which products may be fake on Etsy.
