My Listing Removed by Mistake

[FeltWorldStore]

Hi!

I’ve been selling on Etsy for quite a while now, and all of my products are 100% handmade. I recently ran into an issue that I’m really struggling to understand — one of my listings (which actually had the most sales in my shop) was removed because it was flagged as AI-generated.

This honestly makes no sense to me. That particular listing was created a long time ago — well before AI tools were even widely used — and it’s something I personally designed and crafted by hand. There’s absolutely nothing AI-generated about it.

It’s been really discouraging, especially since that item had a great track record and was a core part of my shop. I’ve reached out to support but haven’t gotten a clear explanation so far.

Has anyone else experienced something like this recently? I’m wondering if it’s a new type of error or part of a broader issue.

[VintageRescueSquad]

Etsy often gives the wrong reason, or an overly broad reason (if at all). Are you sure it wasn't "creativity standards"? That usually means your same photo was found elsewhere online (usually big wholesale sites).

Have you done a reverse-image search to see if it's been stolen? If it has, you have to file a DMCA takedown notice with those sites and provide a copy of the takedown to etsy to prove your are policing your IP (photo)

[FeltWorldStore]

Etsy specifically stated that the reason was the use of AI. But I will definitely try your suggestion and do a reverse image search — thank you so much for the tip!

[FallenAngelBrass]

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@FeltWorldStore wrote:

one of my listings (which actually had the most sales in my shop) was removed because it was flagged as AI-generated.

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What did the email say exactly?  Etsy allows the use of AI and asks sellers to disclose the use of it.  But to the best of my knowledge, Etsy doesn't yet police whether sellers disclose this or not.   I'm curious about the wording in the email. 

[FeltWorldStore]

“Resold items do not qualify under our “Made by a seller” or “Designed by a seller” criteria–only certain handpicked or seller sourced items (such as vintage items and craft supplies) can be resold on Etsy.“

[mommawhazelsquilts]

Without knowing which listing it was, not much we can offer in the way of a possible reason.

[FeltWorldStore]

I have another listing with this product, I will send the link "https://feltworldstore.etsy.com/listing/1620139180/dinosaur-felt-baby-mobile-moon-stars"

[BrooklynStVintage]

@FeltWorldStore 

This listing's photos are on Amazon, Temu, Alibaba and Ebay. If you are not on all these sites your photo has been stolen.

[BagmakerSupply]

@FeltWorldStore: False positives aside, you need to keep in mind that violations of Etsy's creativity standards can encompass much more than just if it is handmade or designed by you. The violation can be anything from a 'prohibited' word in your title, description, or tags, to a non-conforming primary image, to being misclassified in core details, to intellectual property infringements, and lot in between.

[audreytherese]

And yet there are so many clearly AI generated images that are giving unrealistic products and expectations that stay up. Sorry, I can't help, just grumbling over the not-surprisingly poor programming etsy did (with AI's help, I'm sure) to identify and remove supposed AI generated images. 

[cindylouwho2]

“Resold items do not qualify under our “Made by a seller” or “Designed by a seller” criteria–only certain handpicked or seller sourced items (such as vintage items and craft supplies) can be resold on Etsy.“ - that has nothing to do with AI. Instead, you have been accused of reselling. 

Since this was a takedown under the Creativity Standards and it was a good seller, this is probably about having your photos stolen elsewhere. Someone above noted they are all over the place, so that tracks. Look up my instructions on Tumblr for how to get your item reinstated; Etsy won't let me link them here. 

[Just a note - a lot of the responses in this thread have some errors in them. Usually the policy cited in Etsy's takedown email is correct; I haven't seen one that was wrong in over a year, I think. (Support, on the other hand, is often wrong). The Creativity Standards do not involve intellectual property issues either, and Prohibited Items are a separate policy as well.] 

[BenMcfuzzylugs · Accepted solution]

Looking at your image, and what you say Etsys email said 
It looks like your listing was flagged because the same items are all over Temu and Alibaba 
So Etsys automatic system spotted that and took it down as thinking you are reselling cheap items from those sites - which you cant do on Etsy for an item like this 
Etsy automatically take these listings down knowing sometimes the seller created the item and Alibaba stole it.

so if you create the item then you need to contact Etsy and appeal 
And also do a reverse image search, find out the places that stole your items and file a report with them to take down your listings (temu etc are actually really good at taking down these items when you tell them to) 

If you didnt make the item then take down any other items that you are reselling and take it as a helpful warning to check Etsy policies 

[BenMcfuzzylugs]

(BTW looking at your shop I do think you make them yourself and this is a mistake on Etsys part - I just wanted to add about you not making the items as a warning to the resellers on here)