Typical wording is "Virtually staged" or "Digitally altered," usually in a corner of the image where it's visible without covering the room. Labels exist because altered listing photos are under scrutiny.
Many MLSs require virtually staged photos to be marked. California's AB 723 requires real estate licensees to disclose digitally altered images in advertising and give access to the original, and Wisconsin's Act 69 adds a similar duty from January 1, 2027.
Real estate news even has a name for the problem labels help prevent: "housefishing," when photos make a home look better than it is.
A good label is
- Visible at the size buyers actually see it, including phones and portal thumbnails.
- Accurate: "Virtually staged" for added furniture, "Digitally altered" for changes like a new sky, a greener lawn or removed objects.
- Consistent across the listing photos, the video and social posts.
- Paired with the original photo wherever your MLS or state law requires it.
A label doesn't make a misleading edit acceptable. Hiding a crack, a power line or a neighboring building is still a problem with a disclaimer on it.