Practical guide · Updated 6 September 2026 · isGenAI
How to check if an image is AI-generated
Start with the original image, check for signs of AI and look at what the report found. This guide takes you through each step.
1. Choose the copy to check
Use the original download when you have it. It often holds more creation details than a screenshot or repost, because editing and sharing can remove those details.
Keep the page link and caption too. They help you return to the source when you review the result.
2. Run an isGenAI image check
- Open the isGenAI checker and choose the image tab.
- Select Upload image or drop in a PNG, JPEG, WebP or AVIF file under 20 MB. The check starts after you choose the file.
- Read the result. Open How we checked to see the details.
- Review What we found and Checks run to see the findings and which checks finished.
- To look more closely at a signed creation record, open the signed image record checker.
Image uploads are private by default. Public links can create public reports. See the privacy policy for what is saved.
3. Understand your result
Signs of AI found
Open the report to see what connects the image to AI: a creation record, saved prompt, label or matching copy in our records. A saved prompt or label records what someone declared about the file; those details can be edited.
AI label found
The page or file says AI was used. The report shows the wording we found.
Likely made with AI
An image scan found patterns associated with AI generation. This is a detector estimate. Open Checks run to see whether an image scan ran for your file.
No signs of AI found
The check found no AI clues in this copy. Its origin is still unknown. If you checked a screenshot, try the original download for more saved details.
Details disagree or check could not finish
Open the report to see which details disagree or which check failed. Try the original file, or report the problem below your result.
A signed creation record
This records how a file was made or edited. Read the recorded actions to see whether AI was used. The report checks the signature and the signer separately.
4. Same picture, different saved details
Why try the original download? Two copies can look exactly the same while carrying different information. Try our small example:
- Download the picture with saved details and the picture without saved details.
- Upload each file to the checker. Open How we checked and compare Saved file details.
- Use Save report to keep the findings next to the file you checked.
In our controlled check on 6 September 2026, the first returned AI label found; the second returned No signs of AI found. The picture’s pixels were identical. Removing saved details changed what the check could find.
We drew this example in code and deliberately added a sample AI prompt to one copy. The picture was not made from that prompt. This shows how editable file details work; it is not an accuracy test.
See the example reports and how we tested
Each check used empty matching history and no external image scan. Live results can change as available checks and matching history change. Read the first report, second report and method and reuse terms.
A screenshot has lost its creation history
Look for a download from the original publisher and check that file too. A screenshot can lose the details that identify the camera, editing app or AI tool.
A file contains a saved generation prompt
Select Get prompt to read a supported prompt saved in the file. The report can also show the AI model name recorded alongside it.
An image has a signed editing history
Review the recorded tools and actions, such as cropping, retouching or AI generation. Check the signature result and who signed the record.
5. Keep a useful record
Select Save report below your result to download a text file, or Copy report to paste it into your notes. It includes the result, file ID and checks run. It leaves out your upload and pasted content.
Use this short checklist when you need to explain your conclusion to someone else:
- Question: What claim about the image are you checking?
- Copy: File name, source URL, retrieval date, and whether it is an original download, repost or screenshot.
- Finding: Exact result label, main clue, checks completed, and checks unavailable.
- Supporting detail: Saved AI label, prompt, signed creation record or matching copy.
- Next step: Try the original file, check the publisher or report a problem.
To check whether a caption tells the truth about an event, compare it with the original source and independent reporting.
Sources and technical details
The technical guide to signed creation records explains how signatures, signer trust and editing history work, including what happens when records are removed.