Google Launches Image Verification Tool: Analyzing Metadata to Detect Context and Identify AI-Generated Fakes

In May, Google unveiled its new feature, “About this Image,” designed to provide users with verified information about any photo on the internet. This tool is now integrated into Google Search, ensuring that you can’t easily claim ownership of someone else’s photo—such as a 1988 Burger King Alf plushie.

Here’s how it works: Simply conduct a Google Search, select an image, and click the three dots in the top-right corner. You'll access a wealth of metadata, including the original publication date of the image, subsequent appearances, and how it has been used over time. This feature serves as a valuable resource for verifying the authenticity of images associated with news events, helping to combat misinformation by revealing if an image has been taken out of context.

In addition to showing you how various sites reference the image, Google’s tool aligns with its existing “perspectives” filter and “about this result” tab for factual information. You can also access the feature by clicking on the “more about this page” link, with additional options set to be rolled out.

Considering the prominence of artificial intelligence, the tool also identifies whether an image has been AI-generated, though its effectiveness relies on the inclusion of relevant metadata by the original creators. Google assures that its own AI-generated images will always contain appropriate metadata.

Moreover, Google is launching additional tools to enhance image searches, including an expanded Fact Check Explorer app tailored for journalists to assess image accuracy. For non-image searches, Google is introducing software that generates AI-driven descriptions of websites, simplifying research for lesser-known entities.