--- title: "AI image labelling: meaning and marketplace rules | Herofab" description: "Marking an image as AI-generated or AI-edited, either visibly on the image or invisibly in its metadata, such as IPTC or C2PA." url: https://herofab.app/glossary/ai-image-labeling language: en updated: 2026-11-06 --- # AI image labelling Marking an image as AI-generated or AI-edited, either visibly on the image or invisibly in its metadata, such as IPTC or C2PA. With Herofab [AI image label checker](https://herofab.app/tools/ai-image-checker) ![Model wearing small gold huggie hoop earrings, front portrait on white](https://herofab.app/img/ex/hoops-model-1100.webp) Made with Herofab · Jewelry studio Invisible marking uses standard metadata: the IPTC Digital Source Type field states whether an image is trained algorithmic media or a composite, and C2PA content credentials record how it was made. Visible labels are text or badges on the image itself. In the EU, the AI Act requires providers of generative AI systems to mark synthetic images in a machine-readable way. The AI image label checker reads these markers in your browser. ## Two kinds of label An AI label can be visible or invisible. The visible kind is a line of text, a badge or a note in the product description that tells the shopper directly. The invisible kind is written into the file as metadata, where software, search engines and marketplaces can read it and people do not see it. The two serve different readers and are often combined. A marketplace may forbid text on the picture itself and still ask for the marking in the file or for a declaration in a field of the listing. ## Who asks for the label The demand comes from three sides. Lawmakers require the makers of AI systems to mark what those systems generate. Marketplaces and ad platforms set their own disclosure rules for sellers. And search engines read the marking in the file and may show it beside the picture. The rules are recent and still changing, and they differ between marketplaces. The rule rows further down quote what a few of them publish. ## How a label gets lost An invisible label is only as durable as the file. Saving a picture through a messenger, a screenshot, a social platform or an editor that discards metadata removes it without any warning, and the picture then looks unmarked although it was marked when it was made. The safe habit is to keep the original file as delivered, to use export settings that preserve metadata, and to check a file again after the last editing step and before upload. > **With Herofab** > > See whether a product image still carries its AI marker: IPTC source type, the keyword for AI-generated people and C2PA credentials. > > [AI image label checker](https://herofab.app/tools/ai-image-checker) ## AI image labelling and related terms - **[IPTC metadata](https://herofab.app/glossary/iptc-metadata):** IPTC metadata is the set of standard fields inside an image file. One of them, the digital source type, is the common place for the invisible AI label. - **[Content Credentials (C2PA)](https://herofab.app/glossary/content-credentials):** Content Credentials are a signed record of how a picture was made and edited. They can state that AI was involved and are harder to alter than a plain metadata field. - **[Watermark](https://herofab.app/glossary/watermark):** A watermark is a visible mark placed over a picture. A visible AI label on the image is a kind of watermark, which is why some marketplaces want the invisible form. - **![Model wearing the white strapless dress on a white background](https://herofab.app/img/ex/dress-model-886.webp) [Synthetic model](https://herofab.app/glossary/synthetic-model):** A synthetic model is a person in a picture who was generated and does not exist. Pictures with synthetic people are the case that disclosure rules address most often. ## A checklist for AI-made product images - The rule of each sales channel on AI-made images was read for the product category in question. - The file still carries its invisible marking after the last export, and a checker confirms it. - Where a declaration field or a note in the description is asked for, it was filled in. - No visible label sits on the picture where the marketplace forbids text on images. - The picture shows the real product truthfully: colour, shape, details and what is included. - The original files are kept, so that the marking can be shown if someone asks. ## AI image labelling, answered. **Do I have to label AI-generated product images?** It depends on where you sell: the rules differ by region and by marketplace. In the EU, the AI Act puts the duty to mark synthetic images in a machine-readable way on the provider of the AI system, and some marketplaces ask sellers to keep that marker in the file. A visible label on the image is a separate matter: where a marketplace rules out added text and badges on product images, a notice belongs in the listing text. **Does editing or resizing an image remove its AI label?** It can, because the invisible label lives in the file's metadata and many editors and resizers drop metadata when they save a new file. The picture looks the same afterwards, so the loss goes unnoticed. Herofab's AI image label checker reads the file in your browser and reports whether the IPTC source type, the keyword for AI-generated people and C2PA credentials are present. **How do I check whether an image is labelled as AI-generated?** By reading its metadata. The label is stored in fields that an ordinary preview does not show, so the file has to be opened in a metadata viewer or in a dedicated checker. Herofab's free AI image label checker reads a file in the browser and reports which markers it carries; nothing is uploaded. **Does the AI label have to be visible on the picture?** Usually not on the picture itself. Most rules ask for machine-readable marking in the file or for a declaration in the listing, and several marketplaces do not allow added text on product images at all. Where a visible note is wanted, the product description or a dedicated field is the usual place. The rule of the sales channel decides. **Does an edited photo count as AI-generated?** It depends on what the edit did. Retouching dust, correcting colour or removing a background is ordinary editing under most rules. Generating new content, such as a model, a scene or parts of the product, is what disclosure rules are aimed at. For a picture that mixes a real photo with generated parts, the metadata standards have a separate value for composites. ## What marketplaces say about it. Updated 25 September 2026 - **Zalando:** Visible on-image labels are not allowed; invisible marking of AI-generated content is strongly recommended [Official page](https://partner.zalando.com/university/article/zalando-image-guidelines) - **Amazon:** No text, logos, watermarks or graphics on clothing main images [Official page](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/G200498950) - **Google Shopping:** No watermarks, promotional text, calls to action or borders [Official page](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324350?hl=en) - **TikTok Shop:** No added logos, text, borders, watermarks or graphics on any product image [Official page](https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=3196690250417921) Related [Virtual try-on](https://herofab.app/tools/virtual-try-on) · [AI image label checker](https://herofab.app/tools/ai-image-checker) · [Virtual try-on](https://herofab.app/glossary/virtual-try-on) · [Watermark](https://herofab.app/glossary/watermark) · [Synthetic model](https://herofab.app/glossary/synthetic-model) · [IPTC metadata](https://herofab.app/glossary/iptc-metadata) · [Content Credentials (C2PA)](https://herofab.app/glossary/content-credentials) · [EXIF data](https://herofab.app/glossary/exif-data) · [Text-to-image](https://herofab.app/glossary/text-to-image) · [Image-to-image](https://herofab.app/glossary/image-to-image) · [Inpainting](https://herofab.app/glossary/inpainting) · [AI-generated image](https://herofab.app/glossary/ai-generated-image) · [AI artifacts](https://herofab.app/glossary/ai-artifacts) · [All terms](https://herofab.app/glossary/) Free tools [Product photo checker](https://herofab.app/tools/product-photo-checker) [Marketplace image resizer](https://herofab.app/tools/marketplace-image-resizer) [Image compressor](https://herofab.app/tools/image-compressor) [AI image label checker](https://herofab.app/tools/ai-image-checker)