Depop can now generate product descriptions from a single photo

Brief description of the dive:

• Clothing resale platform Depop announced on September 12 that it is using generative artificial intelligence and image recognition technology to help sellers create product descriptions.
• Users can upload a photo and the product description generator will generate product descriptions with details such as color, category, subcategory, relevant hashtags, and brand, the company said.
• The description generator was designed with the colloquial tone of the Depop community in mind and is currently available to users in English-speaking countries.

Diving Insight:

With new generative AI features, Depop aims to make the selling process easier and faster for users on its platform. Before unveiling the description generator on the site, the company tested the capability with its sellers, and nearly half of its listings used the tool, said Rafe Colburn, Depop’s chief product and technology officer.

“We know that writing an item description in a blank text box can be a time-consuming part of the listing process for both new and existing Depop users,” Colburn said in a statement. “Adding intelligent, automated descriptions inspires a faster and simpler process, meaning our community can list more, sell more, and earn more, all while contributing to a more circular fashion economy.”

The company previously added other AI features, including predictive recommendations and pricing suggestions for sellers, and improved search and personalization tools for shoppers.

Like Depop, other major resale platforms and marketplaces are using AI to improve product descriptions and images. Last year, resale veteran eBay introduced its magical listing tool to help sellers create item descriptions based on uploaded product photos. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its Photo Background Enhancement tool to help sellers replace the background of a product image with an AI-generated one.

About a year ago, Amazon also launched its product description tool to help Amazon sellers write product descriptions with item details, bullet lists, and titles using generative AI. Last year, Google debuted its Product Studio tool, which uses generative AI to help sellers create and modify product images, including removing distracting backgrounds, increasing image resolution, and inserting new backgrounds for product images.