How to Check If an Image Was Made by AI

What you will learn

In this guide, you will learn how to tell if an image was created by AI rather than captured with a camera. As AI tools become more advanced, it is important to know how to spot fake images, especially when they appear in news, social media, or messages from people you do not know.

Important: AI-generated images are getting better every day. When in doubt, always check the source of the image.

What you need

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
• A web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge)

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Look at the hands and fingers

AI often has trouble drawing human hands correctly. Look closely at the hands in the image. Common signs of AI-generated hands include:

• Too many or too few fingers
• Fingers that bend in unnatural directions
• Hands that look blurry or melted together

If the hands look strange, the image may have been created by AI.

Step 2: Check the text and small details

AI struggles with text inside images. Look for:

• Letters that are scrambled or do not form real words
• Signs or book covers with unreadable text
• Strange patterns in jewelry, buttons, teeth, or eyeglasses
• Backgrounds that blur, repeat, or have objects that do not make sense

These small errors are easy to miss at first glance but can reveal that an image is not real.

Step 3: Look at the overall quality

AI images sometimes have a specific look. Watch for:

• Skin that looks too smooth or plastic
• Lighting that seems unnatural or too perfect
• A “dreamy” or overly polished quality
• Inconsistent shadows (shadow going in different directions)

Real photographs usually have small imperfections that AI tends to smooth away.

Step 4: Use reverse image search

You can check where an image came from using a reverse image search. This helps you find if the image appears on known AI art websites or if it has been reported as fake.

• Go to images.google.com
• Click the camera icon in the search bar
• Upload the image or paste the image URL
• Look at the results to see where the image has appeared before

If the image only appears on AI art platforms or social media with no verified source, it may be AI-generated.

Step 5: Check the source

The most reliable way to verify an image is to check who published it and where it came from.

• Was it shared by a trusted news organization?
• Does the person sharing it have a verified account?
• Can you find the same image on the official website of the person or organization shown?

If you cannot find a trustworthy source, treat the image with caution.

Tips

• Do not share suspicious images. If you think an image might be fake, do not forward it to others. Sharing fake images spreads misinformation.
• Be extra careful with emotional images. AI-generated images are often designed to shock or upset you. If an image makes you feel very strong emotions, take an extra moment to verify it.
• AI detection tools exist but are not perfect. Websites like hivemoderation.com or illuminarty.ai can analyze images for AI signs, but they do not catch everything. Use them as one tool among several.