Can AI Generated Content Really Work for eCommerce? (We Put It To The Test)

So you’re looking for a more efficient way to generate eCommerce product content. You think AI might be the way to go, and maybe you’ve tried a few run-of-the-mill tools like ChatGPT. Maybe you’ve heard bad things, or maybe firsthand you didn’t get the results you wanted.

So you wonder: Can AI-generated content really work? And if it does, how much time are you really saving for eCommerce specifically?

That’s why in this post we’re finally putting AI to the test—at least when it comes to creating product content at scale, from product description copy to meta descriptions.

So, can AI write creative, accurate content that also ranks and converts? Let’s find out.

What is AI Generated Content?

Before we walk through our four AI tests, let’s get on the same page as far as what we’re actually measuring:

AI-generated content refers to any media format that was produced with machine learning and some human input. Essentially you use an automated tool that can turn your text instructions into content.

In eCommerce this “content” isn’t limited to product descriptions and titles. AI can also generate realistic product images, video scripts with voiceovers, and even redesign your entire eCommerce website on autopilot.

Note: AI and automation don’t always go hand-in-hand. Generic generators usually focus on automating the content creation itself, whereas eCommerce-specific tools like Describely also automate the content management (e.g., bulk generation). More on that later.

Of course, as there are more moving parts, AI will likely make more errors. That’s why the most reliable format right now is written content, which is the testing scope of this post. Specifically:

• Descriptions
• Titles
• Meta descriptions
• Tags

But just because it’s reliable that doesn’t guarantee it outperforms, say, outsourced content. That’s why we’re testing AI in four categories.

AI-Generated Content Put To The Test

The four tests below will evaluate if AI can follow the product description best practices listed here.

1. Brand consistency. How well can AI follow your tone of voice?
2. Content accuracy. Does AI mention all the information you added? How often does it make mistakes?
3. SEO optimization. Can AI product descriptions rank in the first positions? Can it recognize, rate, and include keywords naturally?
4. Creativity/Uniqueness. Can AI write features as benefits for even the most boring products? Can AI turn dry, sparse instructions into detail-rich descriptions? Or if you sell dozens of variations, can AI make each one tell a different story?

Of course, there are a ton of AI generators out there that will get you widely different results. So to keep things simple we will go with what we think is the best AI content generator for eCommerce: Describely.

We’ll use it to generate descriptions, titles, tags, and meta-descriptions. Then we will compare if the test results are better than with manual or outsourced writing, and also how consistent and efficient they are at scale.

If you’d like to follow along then you can grab your free trial right here. Let’s begin with brand consistency:

Brand Consistency Test

Chances are you’re not starting from an empty store. You have hundreds of live products with a proven approach to brand messaging, and you want new products to reflect that. It helps buyers feel familiar with your collection and give your products more meaning (and price).

Let’s see how exactly a tool like Describely can reflect your tone of voice:

Suppose you own a sports brand and the new product is, say, a tennis board:

• From the Dashboard, add New Product and choose the default catalog (or create a new one)

• In the product title add “tennis board” and click save. Ideally you have more details like the size, material, and accessories.
• From catalogs, click on your product, then AI Product Editor, and then Refine with Chat.

With the default settings, this will generate a neutral description like this:

“Introducing the Tennis Board – a game changer for tennis enthusiasts! This innovative board is designed to take your tennis training to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your skills or a seasoned player wanting to stay sharp, the Tennis Board has got you covered. Featuring a sleek and durable design, this board is the perfect tool for enhancing your accuracy, power, and control. The smooth surface allows for consistent ball bounces, simulating real court conditions. Order yours now and experience the transformative benefits it brings to your training!”

Now, let’s say the tone of your brand is inspiring and adventurous:

• From Catalogs, click on Bulk Actions and AI Rules

• From the Describely Default Rules, click Clone Ruleset at the bottom to edit it. You could also create an empty one.
• Name this new ruleset and select the tone that best fits your brand voice. If you can’t find yours, you can define it by writing new Description Instructions
• Click Save and Apply, and then return to the product and AI Product Editor.

From here, if you select your new AI ruleset and click Refine With Chat, it will generate a description that matches your brand messaging. You can keep adding prompts like “retry” to change the result and also edit directly.

Brand Consistency Results

Here’s our result:

“Unlock your tennis potential with our revolutionary Tennis Board. This state-of-the-art board will propel your skills to new heights, allowing you to conquer ambitious sports challenges with ease. Designed to improve your technique, speed, and accuracy, this board is your key to tennis mastery. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, the Tennis Board  will revolutionize your training sessions and elevate your game. Prepare to dominate the court and leave your opponents in awe.“

Notice how it sounds bolder than the original. Of course, the more polarized your brand is, the better the result.

Let’s reuse the ruleset for a second sample product:

“Carry your golf gear with style and convenience with our premium golf bag. Designed for the avid golfer, this bag is packed with features to enhance your game. Made from durable materials, it offers plenty of storage space for your clubs, balls, and accessories. The ergonomic design ensures maximum comfort and easy carrying. Stand out on the course with the sleek and modern design of our golf bag. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this bag will help you take on the fields with confidence.”

And for a third one, below:

“Unleash your adventurous spirit with our top-of-the-line Bike Light. Designed to enhance your outdoor experiences, our Bike Light is built to withstand any challenge. With its long-range beam and durable construction, it provides you with exceptional visibility and reliability on all your rides. Attaching the light to your bike is a breeze, thanks to its easy-to-use design. Its compact size ensures minimal disruption to your ride, while its fall-resistant feature keeps it securely in place. Plus, with its rechargeable battery, you can stay powered up for hours of thrilling expeditions. Get ready to conquer new horizons with our innovative Bike Light.”

The result? AI-generated content can maintain brand consistency for even unrelated products.

In fact, Describely can pull context from products even with sparse details using our Product Enrichment Feature more more accurate and compelling content.

Finally, once you find your winning ruleset, you can apply it to the entire listing:

Here we included the title, bullet points, and keywords:

And for the meta description:

• Go to SEO Tools > Meta Tags > Edit
• Click Generate Description until you get the best result
• Review and save.

Once AI can mirror your tone, the next step (and a huge reason why people use Describely) is accurate data.

Content Accuracy Test

In this test we’re trying to observe how AI presents data from your input:

• Does it mention every feature you listed or only a few?
• Does it describe qualities that the product doesn’t have?
• How early does it mention key features (the earlier the better), and in what order?

To observe these let’s go back to the last bike light example. Let’s create a new product with a more specific title like this:

“bike light: water resistant, wide beam, fall resistant, 1200 lumens, 18h battery life, 5 light levels, easy to attach”

Then, from the AI Product Editor tab, you can check all four boxes (Description, Title, Keywords, Bullet Points). We click Refine With Chat, and this is the output:

Content Accuracy Results

The output:

“Illuminate your path with our high-quality bike light. Designed to be water-resistant, this light ensures optimal performance in any weather conditions. The wide beam provides excellent visibility, allowing you to ride safely even in low light situations. With a powerful 1200 lumens, this light guarantees that you will be seen by others on the road. Its durable construction makes it fall-resistant, ensuring long-lasting use. The light features 5 adjustable levels, allowing you to customize the brightness to your preference. With an 18-hour battery life, you can go on long rides without worrying about the light dimming. Attaching the light to your bike is quick and easy, making it convenient for every ride. Don’t compromise on safety and visibility during your outdoor adventures. Get our bike light today and experience the difference!”

Here, Describely mentioned all features in the same order and rewrote them as bullet points. In this case we generated all parts at once, but for better results it’s recommended to try individually for at least titles.

As for the meta description, we used the same title to generate it:

“Illuminate your path with our water-resistant bike light. Stay safe and visible on your rides with its powerful 1200 lumens and wide beam visibility.”

Again, the first three features appear.

To recap the test questions:

• Does AI mention all features? As long as there’s enough space, yes.
• When does it mention those features? It writes 1-2 features per sentence after the first line and in the same order mentioned. So you want to put the important ones first (e.g., size, material).
• Does it invent features? No, the AI sticks to the description.

In fact, here’s what happens if you give Describely the broadest prompt of just “Bike Light:”

 

“Introducing the Bike Light, the ultimate companion for your cycling adventures. Engineered with state-of-the-art technology, this bike light is designed to provide optimal visibility and safety, ensuring a worry-free ride. The Bike Light features a powerful LED bulb that illuminates the darkest of paths, giving you a clear vision of the road ahead. Its durable and waterproof design withstands harsh weather conditions, so you can confidently ride through rain or shine. Quick and easy to install, this bike light is compatible with all bike types, making it versatile for any cycling enthusiast. Whether you’re commuting to work or exploring new terrains, the Bike Light ensures your safety during low-light conditions, making you visible to pedestrians, motorists, and other cyclists. With its long-lasting performance, you won’t have to worry about the battery running out during your rides. Don’t compromise on safety and get your hands on the Bike Light today. Upgrade your cycling experience and conquer the roads with confidence.”

If you just type “bike light” in the title and generate all elements, Describely will write the typical features that your product probably has. It’s not enough to stand out, but it’s better than an empty listing, and you can always edit out the wrong ones.

SEO Optimization Test

With brand consistency and accuracy you have a good foundation for product descriptions that sell. The third test (SEO) allows you to leverage those sales with the right keywords to attract even more buyers.

So how exactly can AI do this?

First, let’s start with our existing bike light description. What keywords do we already have?

If you generated all four fields, your keywords will already appear below and in the right column. If you want to search again without overwriting the description, simply check “Keywords” and click Refine.

Now, if you want to discover new keywords, go to the SEO Tools tab and enter your main keyword (“bike light”):

The right list of keywords are already in your listing whereas the left one shows new keyword ideas. This list will change if you search for another term (e.g., anti-fog bike light).

The title and description ratings change depending on their length, word complexity, and keywords included.

Let’s say we want our description to also include: USB, bright, and rechargeable.

For that, go back to AI Product Editor, click Refine to open the chat, and add the keywords on the top right. Then, you can paste the product title, and click send to generate.

SEO Optimization Results

After discovering new keywords, Describely included them in this new description:

“Introducing the Bike Light, the perfect companion for your cycling adventures. Engineered with state- of-the-art technology, this bike light is designed to provide bright and reliable illumination, ensuring a worry-free ride. The Bike Light features a powerful LED bulb that emits a strong and focused beam of light, allowing you to see clearly even in the darkest of paths. Its rechargeable battery can be easily powered up using a USB cable, providing you with convenient and eco-friendly operation. Constructed with durable materials, this bike light is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, making it a reliable choice for any cycling enthusiast. Whether you’re commuting or exploring new terrains, the Bike Light will enhance your visibility and safety during low-light conditions, ensuring you are seen by pedestrians, motorists, and fellow cyclists. With its long-lasting performance, you can rely on this bike light to illuminate your rides for hours on end. Upgrade your cycling experience and ride with confidence with the Bike Light today.“

For the meta description, you can generate it again from SEO Tools to include some of the new keywords:

“Illuminate your rides with our durable Bike Light. With a bright LED bulb, this USB rechargeable light ensures visibility and safety in low-light conditions.”

As you can see, Describely can track, rate, discover, and apply keywords naturally. If you use other SEO platforms for keyword research, you can still paste them into the AI Product Editor and update your content effortlessly.

Now, can you prevent AI from adding (negative) keywords that you don’t want to include?

Here’s one way to do it:

• Create a new ruleset or default clone
• Add description/title instructions with a comma-separated list of keywords to remove (in this case we just want to exclude “LED”)
• Save and apply

If you go back to the product listing and select this new ruleset, the new description no longer includes those words:

If you’re trying to rank for competitive keywords, refreshing listings should be as easy as possible. With Describely you can update thousands of products in bulk and effortlessly maintain your search positions. Plus, we’re constantly improving the tool to help you find relevant long-tail keywords. Grab your free trial here!

Creativity and Uniqueness Test

Once your content is consistent, accurate, and optimized, the last step is to make it stand out. Specifically we want to see how compelling and unique AI descriptions can be for widely different situations:

1. Products with sparse details from manufacturers. Is AI resourceful enough to turn them into detail-rich descriptions?
2. Highly complex products. Can it convert technical features into benefits?
3. Simple, boring, everyday items. Can AI make them interesting and discover new uses/benefits/properties?
4. Dozens of nearly identical products. Can it write different stories for every variation?

To test these scenarios the process is the same— all that changes is the products. To make it clearer, let’s only change the conditions for our last product (bike light).

Creativity and Uniqueness Results

For case A (sparse details), we did a similar example in the Content Accuracy Test:

 

“Introducing the Ultimate Adventure Bike Light, the perfect companion for your cycling adventures. Experience worry-free rides with the state-of-the-art technology of this bike light, providing bright and reliable illumination. With its powerful beam of light, you can confidently navigate even the darkest paths, ensuring clear visibility along your journey. The Bike Light is designed for convenience and eco-friendliness, featuring a rechargeable battery that can be easily powered up using a USB cable. Its durable construction is built to withstand the rugged outdoors, making it the ideal choice for any cycling enthusiast. Enhance your visibility and ensure your safety during low-light conditions, allowing pedestrians, motorists, and fellow cyclists to easily spot you on the road. With long-lasting performance, the Bike Light will illuminate your rides for hours on end, giving you the confidence to explore new terrains or commute with ease. Let the Ultimate Adventure Bike Light be your trusted companion for every cycling journey.”

Here, we just typed the “bike light” title, and Describely generated the entire listing from common features of such a product.

Another way to make it more specific is to mention common qualities in the AI ruleset. For example:

“Describe some of the following: Durability, material, size, weight, purpose, assembly difficulty, maintenance requirements, customizations”

We added this prompt to the Describely default ruleset. For the title “1200 LED bike light” it generated this:

 

“Introducing the 1200 LED Bike Light, the perfect accessory to enhance your cycling experience. With its innovative design and top-notch performance, this bike light ensures exceptional visibility and safety during nighttime rides. Equipped with 1200 ultra-bright LEDs, it illuminates the path ahead, making you visible to others on the road. The light is built to last, with its sturdy and durable construction that can withstand various weather conditions. It is also incredibly lightweight and easy to install, fitting securely onto your bike’s handlebars in seconds. Customize your lighting experience with multiple modes and intensities, allowing you to adapt to different environments. The rechargeable design eliminates the need for constant battery replacements, and maintenance is hassle-free. Upgrade your biking gear with the 1200 LED Bike Light and enjoy worry-free rides day or night.”

Even if you need to remove a few after a revision, this description is way more informative than just “1200 LED bike light.”

The opposite of this is case B (complex product), which we can test with a prompt like this:

“Bike light, 1200 lumens, 2 flash modes, 5 light levels, IP64, 360 rotation, fits 35mm handlebars, nylon, 18h dual rechargeable batteries”

Paste this in a blank product title, and this is the description it generates:

 

“Enhance your biking experience with the PowerGlow Pro Bike Light. With its powerful 1200 lumens, this bike light ensures maximum visibility during night rides, providing you with a safer journey. Equipped with 2 flash modes and 5 light levels, you can easily adjust the lighting according to your preference and riding conditions. The IP64 rating guarantees the light’s durability and water resistance, allowing you to ride worry-free in various weather conditions. Crafted with a 360-degree rotation feature, the PowerGlow Pro Bike Light allows you to adjust the angle of the beam to ensure optimal coverage. Its universal fit design effortlessly attaches to 35mm handlebars, making installation a breeze. Made from high-quality nylon, this bike light is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures. With its 18-hour dual rechargeable batteries, you can enjoy long rides without any worries of running out of power. Whether you’re a casual rider or a professional cyclist, the PowerGlow Pro Bike Light is a must-have accessory for an enhanced and safe biking experience.”

Notice how it expands every feature with benefits. Someone unfamiliar with specs like IP64 can easily understand what it does and why it’s valuable.

For case C (simple products) we could try “bike light straps 10 pack”:

 

“Introducing our bike light straps 10 pack! Stay safe and visible during your bike rides with these premium quality straps. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials, these light straps are designed to securely hold your bike lights in place, providing you with peace of mind and ensuring maximum visibility on the road. The adjustable design allows the straps to fit various bike handlebar sizes, making them compatible with different types of bicycles. With the 10-pack supply, you’ll have more than enough straps to attach your lights and share them with your fellow riders. Whether you’re a daily commuter or a dedicated cyclist, these light straps are a must-have accessory for your bike. Don’t compromise on safety – easily attach your lights and enjoy your rides with confidence. Upgrade your cycling gear today with our bike light straps 10 pack!”

And just like in case A (sparse details), Describely has generated a detailed, high-quality description with only the default ruleset.

Lastly for case D (variations) we can compare: “1200 nylon bike light”, “1000 aluminum bike light”, and “1200 nylon bike light and taillight bundle”:

For this Describely has a useful bulk generation feature. To use it from the catalog, select Bulk Actions > Select Products > Bulk Generate, and configure.

The result?

Result for 1000 aluminum bike light:

“Introducing the 1000 aluminum bike light, the perfect companion for your cycling adventures. Designed with durability and performance in mind, this bike light will illuminate your path no matter the time of day. With a sleek and lightweight aluminum body, this light won’t weigh you down as you conquer the trails. Its powerful LED bulbs provide bright and clear lighting, ensuring your safety on the road. Whether you’re a casual rider or a passionate cyclist, this bike light will enhance your biking experience. Say goodbye to dimly lit paths and hello to a vibrant and well-illuminated journey. Take control of your rides, feel confident and secure, and let the 1000 aluminum bike light guide your way. Don’t settle for less – equip yourself with the best bike light on the market. Order yours now and start enjoying unforgettable cycling adventures!”

Result for 1200 nylon bike light:

Introducing the cutting-edge 1200 Nylon Bike Light, an essential accessory for every cyclist. This advanced light is expertly designed to enhance your visibility and ensure your safety on the road, day or night. With its durable nylon construction, it can withstand any weather conditions and withstand the test of time. This versatile light offers a powerful beam that illuminates the path ahead, providing a clear view of any obstacles. It is equipped with multiple lighting modes, including steady, strobe, and SOS, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs. The 1200 Nylon Bike Light is easy to attach and detach, making it convenient to use on any bike. Whether you’re commuting to work, going for a leisurely ride, or participating in night races, this reliable light will be your trusted companion. Don’t compromise your safety, invest in the 1200 Nylon Bike Light today and experience a new level of cycling confidence.”

Result for 1200 nylon bike light and taillight bundle:

“Introducing our 1200 nylon bike light and taillight bundle, the perfect companion for your cycling adventures. With its durable nylon construction and powerful illumination, this bundle will ensure your safety and visibility on the road. The bike light features a 1200-lumen output, providing a bright and clear beam that illuminates your path, making it easier to spot obstacles and stay on course. The taillight, with its bright red LED, alerts drivers and other cyclists of your presence, enhancing your visibility from the rear. Equipped with multiple lighting modes, including steady, flash, and strobe, you can easily adjust the light to suit your needs and preferences. The bundle is lightweight and easy to install, ensuring hassle-free setup and versatility. Whether you’re commuting to work, going for a leisurely ride, or conquering challenging trails, our 1200 nylon bike light and taillight bundle has got you covered. Invest in your safety and make every ride a confident one. Order now and experience the difference!”

Except for the intro sentence, all three products follow a different description. For better results you want to use custom AI rulesets and more specific titles (even if all variations have those features).

The better your input, the more the possibilities— which leads us to the verdict.

The Verdict: Can AI Content Really Work for eCommerce?

After putting AI to the test, we have shown that:

• AI-generated content can recognize and consistently follow your tone of voice.
• AI generators naturally mention every feature from your prompts in the same order.
• If the AI tool has built-in SEO features like Describely, it can efficiently discover, track, and insert keywords.
• And regardless of the product, simple or complex, AI can write compelling descriptions that sell.

And this was just one of many AI use cases for eCommerce.

AI can write great product content fast and at scale, at least when it comes to eCommerce product description generators.

There’s a lot of AI-generated website content that ranks well and gets products sold out. And there’s a lot more that doesn’t.

This difference comes down to the tool you use: is your AI generator optimized for eCommerce, if not exclusively designed for product content?

If it’s not, you probably already know how time-consuming it can be. But if you want to get the best accuracy and cut minutes down to seconds—like TargetAU did with us—then we recommend you sign up for Describely right now.