Amazon · checked 2026-11-04
Amazon rules for AI-generated people: the contains-synthetic-performer tag
Amazon does not ban AI-generated models. It asks you to label them in the file itself, with one keyword, before upload. This page covers which images need it and how to add it.
The rules
Tag photorealistic AI-generated people
Images that contain photorealistic AI-generated people require the keyword contains-synthetic-performer before upload.
Where the keyword goes
The keyword is written to the IPTC/XMP dc:subject field of the image file, spelled exactly contains-synthetic-performer.
Tag before you upload
The tag has to be in the file when it is uploaded; Amazon's tagging guide gives the command exiftool -XMP-dc:Subject+=contains-synthetic-performer file.png.
Real people edited with AI: no tag
The tag is not needed for images of real people that have been edited with AI tools.
Non-photorealistic people: no tag
The tag is not needed when the people shown are not photorealistic, such as illustrations.
A+ Content has its own checkbox
The A+ asset upload has an "AI-generated people" checkbox for A+ images.
Main image rules still apply
A tagged image is still judged by the main image rules: pure white RGB 255, 255, 255 background, product filling 85% of the frame, shown once and in full.
Adult apparel on a standing model
Adult clothing on the main image is shown on a standing model, whether the model is real or generated.
No mannequins on the main image
Main images cannot show mannequins of any kind, including hangers.
Only what is included
Main images show only accessories included with the product; a generated scene cannot add products the buyer will not receive.
What this means in practice
The test is simple: does the image show a person who looks real and was generated by AI? A virtual try-on model, a generated lifestyle shot with a person in it, or an AI hand holding the product all count. A photo of a real model that you retouched or relit with AI does not, and neither does an illustrated or cartoon figure.
The keyword lives in the file's XMP metadata, in dc:subject, and many editors and image compressors strip metadata on export. After any edit, resize or compression, check the tag is still there with exiftool -XMP-dc:Subject yourfile.jpg; if it is missing, add it again with the command Amazon's guide gives before you upload.
Amazon's keyword is separate from the industry vocabularies. The IPTC Digital Source Type list, for example, describes trainedAlgorithmicMedia as "Digital media created algorithmically using an Artificial Intelligence model trained on captured content". That field is useful elsewhere, but Amazon asks for contains-synthetic-performer specifically.
Every PicBarn export that contains a generated model is written with contains-synthetic-performer in XMP dc:subject, so you can upload it as downloaded; if you re-edit it in another tool, check that the tag survived.
Sources
Questions
Does a real model photo retouched with AI need the tag?
No. Amazon's rule covers photorealistic AI-generated people. Real people edited with AI tools do not need contains-synthetic-performer.
Do illustrated or cartoon people need the tag?
No. The requirement is for photorealistic AI-generated people. Non-photorealistic figures are outside it.
How do I check whether an image is tagged?
Run exiftool -XMP-dc:Subject on the file. If contains-synthetic-performer is not listed, add it with exiftool -XMP-dc:Subject+=contains-synthetic-performer followed by the file name.
Can a tagged AI-model image be the main image?
The tag is a disclosure, not an exemption: the image still has to meet every main image rule, including pure white background, 85% fill and, for adult apparel, a standing model. Many sellers keep a real product photo in slot 1 and use AI-model images in the gallery.
Check an image against these rules
Free, no account: upload a product image and see which rows pass as a main image and as a gallery image.
Related
- AI virtual try-on — put your clothes on a modelVirtual try-on for sellers: upload a flat-lay or ghost-mannequin shot, pick an AI fashion model, and get on-model photos that keep every stitch of the garment. Amazon-, Shopify- and TikTok-ready sizes.
- How to disclose AI-generated models in product listings: Amazon, TikTok Shop, Etsy and ShopifyAmazon requires an XMP keyword on any image with a photorealistic AI-generated person; TikTok labels AI content and requires listing images to match the real product; Etsy requires one unedited photo; Shopify sets no rule. The exact tag, how to add it with exiftool or Preview, and a pre-publish checklist.
- Amazon apparel image requirementsAmazon's clothing and accessories image rules: adult apparel on a standing model, no mannequins or hangers, one shoe at 45 degrees, accessories flat, crops and model rules.
- TikTok Shop rules for AI-generated product imagesWhen TikTok Shop allows AI-generated (AIGC) listing images: accurate size, colour and shape, no false scale or effects, no implied bundles, and how disclosure and labels work.