How To Verify Image Source And Metadata

Verifying an image means answering two questions: where did it come from, and does what it shows match what's claimed? Metadata helps with the first; source tracing and detail checks help with both.

1. Get the best copy

Find the largest, least-compressed version you can. Images get worse, and lose metadata, each time they're shared. Ask the person who sent it for the original file if possible.

2. Read the metadata

• Camera details: make, model, lens, exposure and date taken suggest a real photo, though they can be edited.
• GPS: coordinates, if present, can be checked against the claimed location.
• Software: editing apps, or AI generators.
• Content Credentials: a signed history; check it on Content Credentials Verify.

In Chrome, AI Image Detector (made by Patrick Bushe, who runs this site) reads EXIF, IPTC, XMP and PNG metadata when you right-click an image, and shows the raw fields alongside a verdict. ExifTool does the same on your computer.

3. Trace the earliest copy

Run a reverse image search with Google Lens, TinEye and Bing; each finds different results. TinEye can sort by oldest. Google's "About this image" shows when Google first saw it. The earliest copy often leads to the photographer or creator.

4. Check the uploader

• Is the account real, with a history?
• Were they plausibly there?
• Have they posted other photos from the same place and time?
• Can you contact them?

5. Match the details

Compare what's in the image with what's claimed: weather on that date, shadows and time of day, signs and languages, landmarks in street-level imagery. Mismatches are strong evidence of a false claim, even for a real photo.

6. Record what you found

Note each step and result. If you can't confirm the source, say the image is unverified rather than guessing.

See fact-checking workflows.