Etsy does not detect "collages" very well

[BisonNumismatics]

I use a consistent pattern for my listings for coins which place the front and back (what us coin nerds call the "obverse" and "reverse") side by side on photos. Since Etsy has gone all square in their image formats, I use black bars at the top and bottom of the image to stretch this to something that is at minimum presentable.

In the new view today for customer service standards, Etsy identified 45 of my listings as "collages". For example:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1708636616/1933-lincoln-wheat-cent-higher-grade

is a "collage", but 400+ other listings using the same format were not detected as collages.

I also have a bestseller listing which is tagged as a "collage" which is concerning.

I legitimately have some "collage" type photos for supplies which I can individually photograph and list, but even amongst those collages, not all of them are detected.

I'm hoping Etsy can dive into this. Using text on images has never been banned from my knowledge, though I know it can affect offsite ads due to Google policies. I like to keep this format because it's useful for my store in identifying small features on a coin which dictate importance which are quickly represented as text on the image.

[NanaLetha]

My coasters always show all 4 that I am selling but only 1 got tagged as a collage! I'm just ignoring that.

[StitchRoundabout]

Same here, @NanaLetha.  Four of mine were listed as collages, but more have more than one photo in order to show different profiles in the main picture or more than one color.  Having more pictures in the main photo is more likely to attract buyers than hoping they'll click on the item to see more that way.

Am I changing them?  No.  Why?  Because after going through the painstaking task of changing every one to meet their new rule, they'll come out with another rule that will mean updating them all again.  It happens over and over and ....

[MulherinLane]

One of my listings was detected as a “collage” as well. It was a variety set of vintage greeting cards that were displayed on a table. Clearly, the bots are not as smart as humans. I don’t think it will make any difference in your listings’ visibility score considering how it was an inaccurate assessment of the image.

[PsychedelicPinup]

I use collage photos quite often to show details, i think it helps get the vibe of an item across more quickly to the buyer. Showing important details together with the full item shot. like a dress with a busy print, i show the print up-close next to the dress, this has helped items sell more quickly many times. Im wondering how this will affect things going forward as Etsy seems not to like them now for some reason.

[YouLookAmazing]

Absolutely agree!

[PaulaBCrafts]

It would be nice if the people working over at etsy had actual Retail sales experience, seems there always coming up with pipe dreams for us to follow

[SpottedOctopusShop]

Your photos are unique and it seems like they would stand out in a good way.

[MaisieMooDesign]

42 'collages' here... photos showing more than one item seem to be getting detected.  When I sell multiples in one listing it would be more misleading to show a different amount surely?   Interested to know if these listings are going to be penalised for being flagged.  Loathe to change anything at this stage as some are bestsellers.

[PsychedelicPinup]

This is all very annoying. Collage fits the square format better.

I read all the new info and clicked on the link for more info about photography, nowhere does it say anything about collage just links to how to improve your photos. in  ''How to Photograph Challenging Items'' chapter 10. ''how to photograph items without a model''

the photo example used is a collage as are many of the shops other listings. why link to this as an example of what they want when apparently they don't like it now? 

[PlatypusDream]

I have two sewing patterns that have been detected as "collages" - but it is a single photo of the envelope. Granted, the pattern envelope does show multiple photos...

I'm ignoring that one as well.

Next time I take photos of patterns with multiple images, I'll focus on one of the photos and use it as the thumbnail.

[MissPussinBoots]

Good grief, if it's not one thing it's another.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills... Or maybe Etsy is?

Since when is 2 items (or the front and back view of ONE ITEM) a 'collage'?

It's almost as if Etsy wants EVERY SINGLE SHOP's photos to look exactly alike to fit Etsy's image... so much for individual 'shop branding'...

[mymysticgems]

I have several listings where I show an item that is under natural light and then black light, and some with front and side views. So I put them both in the first photo, of course. I got the ding from Etsy about collages as well. I am ignoring it since I consider myself much smarter than a bot and maybe some of the spotters as well.

[BisonNumismatics]

For me, I'm doing a disservice if I have my primary image as the front of the coin, and then the back of the coin is damaged but you have to click/tap the listing to see that.  It increases "engagement" as an arbitrary metric but it doesn't actually improve the experience.

[ModernSwitch]

Several of mine are collages as well. How are we supposed to tell buyers that items come in multiple colors if they never click on the listing for more info! If I just show a pink one in the main picture, and they want a purple one they are just going to scroll right past my listing never even clicking on it! If I show all the colors in the main picture, then they are more likely to click the listing knowing I offer the pattern they like in a color they like.

[HuggableHound]

I'm sure Etsy will suggest a separate listing for each color available = $0.20 / per listing
CHA CHING for Etsy

[BagmakerSupply]

While technically collage can mean two or more different elements in a single image, the one that Etsy's artificial intelligence flagged for us is a photo of a single item with the word 'New'. It would be nice if Etsy provided some guidance on if being considered a collage thumbnail affects search placement.

[vitacris]

J'ai aussi des fiches produits avec collage pour plusieurs couleurs et best seller 

Je fais beaucoup plus de ventes avec les options couleurs que fiche individuelle 

Je ne changerai rien mais ajouterai par sécurité visibilité chaque couleur individuellement 

C'est anti commercial 

J'ai au moins 80 annonces concernées 

[GaiasSacredCreations]

71 dans mon shop..même chose que toi.  Je vais l'ignorer.  

[FrenchVintagePrints]

Same here, 49 of my vintage prints are identified as collages although they're not. They're chart-type prints. 

[weekendjewelry1]

I got the same message, that two of my listings are "collages" and will have trouble being found.  --I have never listed a collage pic *first*. Turns out, one is a pic of a pair of brass filigree, on a white background with nothing else in the pic. The second one is a pair of glass jewels, ditto on a white background, nothing else. Almost every pic I use as a first pic, out of 250-300 listings, is of a pair of (jewelry supply items) with nothing else in the pic. 

And except for pendants, which show just *one* item on the picture, every one of my listings has a pair of something-or-other.  But Etsy AI chose just two as "collages".  Gotta wonder about their algorithm!

[GoodNiteGracie]

When I list a Knitting or Crochet Bowl, I take the time to show it from all 4-sides in the first photo (collage). And I make sure the image is square and at lease 2000 pixels per side. If I didn't do this, it would be hard to tell exactly what someone was looking at and would probably get passed over when viewing items in search. Anyway, this stinks!

[CostumePatternTrim]

Goodness - Are they trying to get us to turn our variation listings into separate listings to make more listings fees? They are 'detecting' them so they are seeing them!

[ScrubLub]

I was wondering the same thing. Does make one suspicious ! I know for 5 years, many of us have begged for 3 variation options which would make it much easier for customers to get exactly what they want on a 1 item listing-- based on size, color, dimensions, pocket choices, men/women etc

It is indeed an advantage on a singular listing to show availability of different colors, etc and if the customer likes the item, will sometimes go ahead and order 2 color options. Obviously I know some would try and "cheat " the  system by reducing their listings, but maybe if a shop has 300 listings already they could bump us up and allow 3 variations.  

[TreeTreasuresCanada]

I sell some of my ornaments in sets.  Etsy zeroed in on one set of four and they think it's a collage.  Strangely I have two other sets of four, very similar in appearance but they weren't designated as collages.