Etsy please stop using AI

[JenniferNicoleJwlry]

AI is not accurate when it comes to my descriptions or title suggestions. 

I do not have the time or the means to hire someone to correct whatever AI is putting in my descriptions.

In addition to that I am being notified that certain listings aren’t getting as much attention due to their title. My titles are accurate and to the point. I use keywords that should help the algorithm. The suggestions AI gives are also not accurate. 

[TailoringByDebra]

Wait, etsy AI is changing descriptions now??? 

[FallenAngelBrass]

This is not happening.  Not sure what the OP is referring to. 

As for the AI title tool, it isn't changing our titles without permission, it just isn't all that clear that "Save & Continue" means "Yes, go ahead and change the titles that are checked off."

[AutumnHollowStudio]

Many of us are frustrated with this new AI title tool. You don't have to use it, and if you do use it you can tweak their "suggested" titles to fit with what you want them to say.

It's always a good idea to refresh titles once in a while anyway due to algorithm changes. Also many of your titles have repeat keywords in them which aren't needed and may hurt more than help.

[GlassyFields]

I think Etsy is using AI the way AI is often used - for suggestions, ideas. Just don't use what you don't think is a good suggestion or good idea.

[NanaLetha]

Etsy is not changing your descriptions. You can use the tool for titles only and it's voluntary, not compulsive.

[PieceByNumberQuilts2]

I'm guessing OP is referring to the AI-generated ALT-text that they pasted into all our listing images several months back.

[PrimFun]

The tool is for titles only.  You don't have to use their suggestions.

However sometimes they make good suggestions.

I suggest trying to work with AI because it is here to stay in many forms in and out of Etsy.  

Just a quick note. I looked at your titles.  Today the titles would not work for search as that has changed.  I'm sure AI is probably condensing them and making them shorter as Etsy suggested a few years back.  I have used the suggestion on a listing they said needed changing.  It did help.  On another one I edited it but I did add in a word or two that I considered important. 

[TBQSC]

@JenniferNicoleJwlry --

AI has actually has been here (et al) for a lot longer than you think ... it's just been lurking in the background and has just recently made its public appearance known.  And now, AI (in some form or another) is used EVERYWHERE by EVERYONE ... time to make it your new best friend (whether you want to or not) because it is not going anywhere ... AI is here to stay! 

[JenniferNicoleJwlry]

I love things like chat GPT and I think AI is great in many circumstances. But when Etsy is allowing to it change my listings description with out my permission that is where I have an issue. I am not the only seller talking about this. If you go on Reddit there are many other sellers talking about the same issue. Thank you for your insight!

[TBQSC]

@JenniferNicoleJwlry -- I love Chat GPT too, especially for cartooning my family photos, so much fun!  

I am concerned with your saying that AI is changing your listing descriptions.  Can you explain how is that even possible when Etsy does not have that capability yet ... it only has the Title changing capability.  Is it possible you are using another multi venue listing program or app (GetVela, Shopify, Indiemade, etc.)?  If so, then perhaps they have an AI interface that you are using to change your description, and not directly on Etsy.  But either way, Etsy DOES allow you to keep your info the way you want ... you are not required to use the AI suggested changes ... Etsy has even said to copy/backup all your info BEFORE accepting the AI changes so that you can easily go back to your original info if you do not like the new AI changes.

As for reddit ... it is just another social media platform website where people discuss (complain) about things ... you cannot always trust everything you read there or anywhere else really.

[FallenAngelBrass]

---

@JenniferNicoleJwlry wrote:

 But when Etsy is allowing to it change my listings description with out my permission that is where I have an issue. I am not the only seller talking about this. If you go on Reddit there are many other sellers talking about the same issue. 

---

My experience of the Etsy Sellers subreddit is that the participants tend to be quite new and less informed.  Etsy is not changing our listing descriptions at all: AI or no.   

[InMyField]

It is optional if you wish to change the title to the AI recommendation.

[dayspringcollectible]

AI is the tech industry's newest fad toy.  It is not going anywhere.  The best we can hope for is that if we complain about certain usages of it, those particulars will be evaluated and hopefully spared from misuse.

[TinyHouseStudioBC · Accepted solution]

I wonder if there might be a spelling error in some of your titles that Etsy is suggesting you fix.  I haven't looked at your titles but I see that you misspell 'jewelry' in your banner as 'jewerly'.  I thought possibly you have done similarly in your titles and possibly Etsy is suggesting you fix spelling mistakes.  I am only guessing as I haven't looked at your titles.

[leinweberstudio]

I looked at some of your titles and I can see why this new tool is suggesting some changes.

Most of your titles do not align with current SEARCH practices which will most likely hinder your shop going forward.

As to descriptions, no AI tool has been implemented for changing them.

[BluKatDesign]

I like the tool, I  wish it was available when making a listing or editing.  Instead you must go in and search for the listing after. You have the option not to use it.

[JenniferNicoleJwlry]

So it looks like this isn’t happening anymore. But what I was referring to about Etsy AI putting in its own description was in the picture section of the listings. I just double checked to see if it was still doing it but it’s look like that’s not happening anymore. It was the item description itself. But for each individual picture it was putting in its own description automatically. So it looks like that stopped. 

[CanningCrafts]

Etsy has been adding alt text to the photos since last year. I have heard that it sometimes overrides what a seller put in. It's a shame that sellers can't "accept" the alt text as opposed to Etsy automatically adding something that may be incorrect or not as good as what a seller originally manually added.

[MouseGarden]

I am not opposed to guidance on what Etsy likes in a title or description.

What I object to is them sneaking in changes to alt text or elsewhere and they expect me to keep checking every item listed to see if the new stuff I don't know about is accurate.

[DivineCrossings]

I wish everyone would just slow down on AI. I feel like we’re all stuck on a bullet train with no track ahead. I also keep wondering when (or if) regulations will be implemented. It all just moving a little too fast for comfort (or, more accurately, for my comfort, lol).

[leinweberstudio]

I wish everyone would just slow down on AI.

I know what you mean.

Just about every new shop posting in the forums these days is using AI written content rather liberally; their Shop Announcement, About page, and listing descriptions are not written by shop owners themselves.

It's a pity; people will continue to lose the ability to form coherent sentences and, in the end, the ability to have any kind of intelligent conversation.

Currently 40% to 50% of adult Americans can't read beyond a 5th grade level. With AI this will get so much worse.

[xoDaggersAndDames]

I 1000% agree with this. As a vintage seller I think entirely too many other vintage sellers are relying on AI to do all the time consuming hard work that we should be doing ourselves. I tested with Chat GPT or whatever its called and was appalled by how wrong it was (quite literally arguing with this doggone app about its mistakes in dating/brand history/value/eras etcetera). Everywhere I look everyone basically has the exact same descriptions, pricing is out of control, and there just isn't any heart or personality in any of it. Even photos are being altered with AI. Its infuriating. I am venting... I apologize and will step off of my soap box now. 

[DivineCrossings]

I really should clarify. I wasn’t necessarily referring to Etsy sellers who use AI (though I’m not a fan). When I said “everyone”, I meant the companies who are falling all over themselves - and each other - to implement AI which will likely lead to increased public frustration and, I believe, it will contribute to already existing corporate distrust. I hope I’m wrong, but I get the feeling it’s going to blow up in their (companies’) collective faces.