Dive Brief:
- Depop is using generative artificial intelligence and image recognition technology to help sellers create product descriptions, the fashion resale platform announced on Sept. 12.
- Users can upload a photo and a product description generator will produce listing descriptions with details such as color, category, subcategory, relevant hashtags and brand, the company said.
- The description generator has been designed with the colloquial tone of the Depop community in mind and is currently available to users in English-speaking countries.
Dive Insight:
With its new generative AI features, Depop aims to make the selling process easier and quicker for users on its platform. Before unveiling the description generator across the site, the company tested the capability with its sellers and nearly half of listers used the tool, Rafe Colburn, chief product and technology officer at Depop, said.
“We know that writing a description for an item in a blank text box can be a time-consuming part of listing, for both new and regular Depop users,” Colburn said in a statement. “Adding intelligent, automated descriptions provides inspiration to speed up and simplify the process, meaning our community can list more, sell more and earn more while contributing to a more circular fashion economy.”
The company has previously added other AI features, including predictive recommendations and pricing suggestions for sellers, as well as improved search and personalization tools for buyers.
Like Depop, other major resale platforms and marketplaces are harnessing artificial intelligence to improve product listing descriptions and photos. Last year, resale veteran eBay introduced its magical listing tool to help sellers create item descriptions based on uploaded product images. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its photo background enhancement tool to help sellers replace their product image background with an AI-generated backdrop.
About a year ago, Amazon also launched its product description tool to help Amazon sellers write product descriptions with item details, bullet point lists and titles using generative AI. Last year, Google debuted its Product Studio tool, which uses generative AI to help sellers create and change their product images, including removing distracting backgrounds, enhancing image resolution and inserting new backgrounds for product images.
