When Google Merchant Center Confused Art with Reality
It all started when I received an unexpected notification from Google Merchant Center.
Apparently, my new artwork — a realistic oil painting of a cheetah — violated the platform’s policy on selling live animals.
For a moment, I stared at the screen, completely puzzled. “Wait… did they really think my painting was alive?”
Yes, they did. The automated system flagged it as a live animal listing, and the product was temporarily disapproved.
When AI Takes “Realism” a Little Too Seriously
To be fair, the painting does look quite lifelike.
Every detail — from the soft fur texture to the glint in the cheetah’s eye — was crafted to capture a sense of presence and vitality.
Apparently, Google’s AI agreed a little too much.
It’s both funny and fascinating that algorithms can be so precise and yet so easily fooled.
In this case, realism crossed the line from “art” to “reality” — at least in the eyes of a machine.
The Hidden Challenge for Online Artists
This isn’t an isolated incident.
Many artists and illustrators selling online have encountered similar cases where AI moderation systems mistake paintings, sculptures, or digital art for prohibited items.
If you’re an artist listing your work online, it helps to include keywords like “painting,” “artwork,” or “illustration” clearly in your title and description.
That small detail can prevent your masterpiece from being flagged as something it’s not.
Laughs, Lessons, and a Bit of Pride
After the initial surprise, I couldn’t help but laugh.
If an AI mistook my art for the real thing, maybe I’m doing something right.
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, this incident serves as a lighthearted reminder:
machines can process images, but they still can’t truly see art.
And perhaps that’s where the beauty of human creativity lies — in the subtle line between reality and imagination.