How to spot AI-made photos and videos

The clues worth checking, why they’re getting harder to see, and the habits that work better than squinting.

⏱ 5 min read · ▶ 1:08 video
The short version

AI can now make photos and videos that look real. Old clues like strange hands still help sometimes, but they’re disappearing. The most reliable habit is to check where it came from: who posted it first, and do trusted news sources show it too?

đź“… Checked as of October 2026. Apps and rules change, so check the sources below if something looks different.

Clues that still sometimes give it away

  • Hands, teeth, ears and jewelry that look melted, extra or mismatched.
  • Text on signs, labels or shirts that is garbled or nonsense.
  • Too-perfect skin, plastic-looking faces, or lighting and shadows that don’t match.
  • Backgrounds where lines bend, objects merge, or people in the crowd look smudged.
  • In videos: lips slightly out of sync, odd blinking, or a face that flickers at the edges.

Newer tools fix many of these, so a picture that passes these checks can still be fake.

Think of it like this: checking an image is like checking a rumor. Instead of studying the story itself, ask who told it first and whether anyone reliable backs it up.

Checks that work better

  1. Find the original. Tap the poster’s name. Is it a real news outlet or a brand-new account?
  2. Reverse image search. In Google Lens (or Bing), search with the picture to see where else it appears and when it first showed up.
  3. Look for labels. Some apps add a “Made with AI” or “AI info” label. Some images carry Content Credentials, a small “cr” icon you can tap to see how the picture was made or edited. A missing label doesn’t prove it’s real.
  4. Check with trusted sources before sharing anything shocking, especially about disasters, elections or celebrities.

Why it matters

In Pew’s survey published in September 2025, most Americans said it’s important to be able to tell whether pictures, videos or text were made by AI, yet more than half weren’t confident they could. You’re not alone.

Fake images are used for scams (a fake celebrity selling a “miracle” product), for misinformation, and for fake fundraisers. If a post makes you feel a strong emotion and wants you to share, donate or buy right now, slow down.

Quick tips

  • Before sharing, ask: who posted this first?
  • Use Google Lens or another reverse image search on anything surprising.
  • Never donate through a link in a viral post; go to the charity’s own website.
  • Train your eye with AI or Not?

Sources

Test yourself: play AI or Not? or Scam or Legit?, quick free games.

đź“– Words to know

Deepfake AI image generator Content Credentials Generative AI