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Guide

Where AI product images are safe to use.

What each platform and the law say about AI-made product images and AI people in ads, in plain words. Every rule links to its source. Last checked October 14, 2026.

The short version.

Will my customers know it's AI?

Sometimes, and more often over time. The pictures rarely give it away, because your product is built from your own photos. But Meta, TikTok and Google can add an AI label on their own when a file carries an AI tag, and some places require a label, such as realistic AI video on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or ads with an AI-made person under New York law.

Do I need to disclose that it's AI?

Often, yes, and it depends where it runs. Label realistic AI video on Facebook and Instagram, realistic AI images and video on TikTok and in TikTok ads, and ads with an AI-made person under New York law. On Amazon, images with an AI-made person need a tag in the file, and Google Shopping needs the AI tag kept in each file. Still images on Meta and regular Meta ads need nothing from you. Never pass off an AI person as a real customer giving a review.

Is it allowed on Amazon?

Yes, with limits. Amazon's image guide doesn't ban AI images, but the main image must be realistic, on pure white and true to the product's scale, quantity and color, so use your own product photo there and our lifestyle shots in the other image slots. Images with a photorealistic AI-made person need the contains-synthetic-performer tag before you upload them.

This is what each platform and law says, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked source before you post.

At a glance.

Each platform's rule by where the picture goes. Tap a rule for the details and its source. The FTC, New York and California rules apply on top of these, wherever you post.

  • OK allowed as is
  • OK with a label allowed when you label or tag it
  • Check first allowed in some cases
  • Not allowed don't use it there

Every rule, with its source.

We read each rule on the platform's or the government's own page. Last checked October 14, 2026.

MetaFacebook, Instagram and Threads

  • OKStill images

    You don't have to label still images. Meta may add an AI label on its own when the file carries an industry-standard AI signal.

    For: Organic social posts

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OK with a labelRealistic video, including UGC-style videos with an AI cast

    Photorealistic video made or changed with AI must be labeled before you post it, with the Add AI label switch. Meta says it may apply penalties if you don't.

    For: Organic social posts

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OKProduct ads

    Meta asks for no AI label from you on product ads. It labels ads made with its own AI tools, and since June 1, 2026 it adds AI info under About this ad when it detects other AI tools. Ads about social issues, elections or politics are the exception and must disclose AI. Every ad must avoid content that may deceive or mislead people.

    For: Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

TikTokPosts and ads

  • OK with a labelRealistic images and video

    TikTok requires a label on AI-made or heavily edited content that shows realistic-looking people or scenes. Use its AIGC label or your own clear caption, sticker or watermark. Unlabeled posts may be removed, restricted or labeled by TikTok, and it labels files that carry C2PA Content Credentials automatically.

    For: Organic social posts

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OK with a labelAI-made images, video or audio

    Ads with fully AI-made images, video or audio need the AIGC label (the AI-generated content disclaimer in Ads Manager) or your own clear disclaimer. TikTok rejects or restricts AI ads it finds undisclosed. Small AI edits such as lighting, color or a background change don't count.

    For: Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

GoogleMerchant Center, Shopping and Google Ads

  • OK with a labelShopping listings and Shopping ads

    AI images are allowed, but each file must keep its AI tag in the metadata (IPTC DigitalSourceType, such as TrainedAlgorithmicMedia). Don't strip it. The main image must clearly show the exact item you sell, with no added text, marketing callouts or watermarks.

    For: Marketplace listing

    Checked October 14, 2026

AmazonProduct listings and Amazon Ads

  • Check firstThe first image on the listing

    Amazon's image guide doesn't ban AI images, but the main image must be a realistic, professional-quality image on pure white that shows the product's real scale, quantity and color, with the product filling 85% of the frame. Only a few product types may use a lifestyle scene as the main image. Your own product photo is the safe choice here.

    For: Product page main image, Marketplace listing

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OKLifestyle and in-use images

    Lifestyle and in-use images can go in the other image slots as long as they accurately show the product you sell and match its title. Leave out review stars, claims such as free shipping, and Amazon badges.

    For: Other product images, Marketplace listing

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OK with a labelImages with an AI-made person

    If an image shows a photorealistic AI-made person, tag the file before you upload it: add the keyword contains-synthetic-performer to its XMP dc:subject field. Amazon then adds a disclosure where one applies.

    For: Product page main image, Other product images, Marketplace listing

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • Check firstAmazon Ads

    We found no AI-specific rule in Amazon Ads' policies. Its general rules: be honest about the product, avoid content that may mislead customers, and include the disclosures the ad needs.

    For: Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

EtsyListings

  • Not allowedListing photos

    Etsy requires your own original photos of the actual item buyers receive, not renderings or stock photos, so AI-made product photos don't qualify. Computer-made mockups are allowed only as extra images for personalized items (after a real first photo) and for designs a production partner prints.

    For: Product page main image, Other product images, Marketplace listing

    Checked October 14, 2026

ShopifyYour own store

  • OKProduct pages in your own store

    Shopify sets no AI-image rule for your own store. Its Acceptable Use Policy bars defrauding buyers, so the pictures still have to match what customers receive.

    For: Product page main image, Other product images

    Checked October 14, 2026

The FTCUS federal law, wherever you sell

  • OKEvery ad and product page

    Federal law says ads must be truthful and not misleading. That rule doesn't ban AI images. The risk is a picture that changes the real product, such as its size, color, label or what comes in the box.

    For: Product page main image, Other product images, Marketplace listing, Organic social posts, Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • Not allowedAI people shown as real customers

    Never present an AI-made person as a real customer sharing their experience. The FTC's rule on reviews and testimonials, in force since October 21, 2024, bans testimonials that misrepresent that the person exists or used the product, and the FTC can seek civil penalties. Run UGC-style videos as product demos, not reviews.

    For: Organic social posts, Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

  • OK with a labelAds that imply their people are customers

    If an ad suggests its people are actual customers, the FTC's Endorsement Guides say to use real customers or clearly disclose that the people aren't customers.

    For: Organic social posts, Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

New YorkState law

  • OK with a labelAds with an AI-made person

    Since June 9, 2026, New York law requires an ad with an AI-made person (a synthetic performer) to say so conspicuously when the advertiser knows. The law covers audiovisual and visual performances, so plan for still ads too. Fines are $1,000 for a first violation and $5,000 for each one after. Audio-only ads are exempt.

    For: Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

CaliforniaState law

  • OKAI providers and large platforms

    California's AI Transparency Act puts its duties on AI providers, which must embed hidden provenance data in AI files (since August 2, 2026), and from January 1, 2027 on large online platforms, which must show that data to users. It sets no label duty for sellers or advertisers, but it is one more way customers can see that a file was made with AI.

    For: Product page main image, Other product images, Marketplace listing, Organic social posts, Paid ads

    Checked October 14, 2026

What we couldn't confirm.

  • Amazon's separate help page on tagging media with an AI-made person wouldn't open without signing in. The Amazon rules here come from its main product image guide.
  • Meta's ads help page still says ads made with other companies' AI tools get no AI info. Meta's newsroom update of June 1, 2026 says they now do, and we went with the newer statement.
  • TikTok Shop listings and Amazon's category style guides weren't checked.
  • We found no other US state law with a label rule for AI product images or AI people in ads, but we haven't checked every state.
  • Outside the US isn't covered. Google's ad help says laws in the EU and India also require labels on some AI-made ads.

How we keep it honest.

The rules above are about not misleading the people who buy from you. This is what we do on our side.

  1. 01

    Your real product photos are the reference

    Every image starts from your own product photos, exactly as you published or sent them. We never redraw, upscale or touch up the originals.

  2. 02

    A check on every frame

    Before you see a frame, it's compared with your photos for label wording, shape, size and packaging. A frame that fails is remade before it reaches your board.

  3. 03

    An original cast

    The people in your pictures are made for your brand. They are never real or famous people, and we never reuse them for another client.

  4. 04

    Demos, not reviews

    Our UGC-style videos show your product to camera. They're a video style, not a customer's review, so run them as demos and don't caption them as customer testimonials.

  5. 05

    Every file we deliver is AI-made

    When a platform asks whether a picture or video was made with AI, the answer for our files is yes. For your main product page image and marketplace listings, use your own product photo.

See how we check every frame

The whole campaign, without the shoot.

Start your campaign