Google’s Circle to Search Can Now (Sometimes) Sniff Out Fake Photos
Google’s highly publicized Circle to Search feature now allows users to leverage Google’s AI tech to instantly learn more about an image, including information about metadata, its source, and whether it is legitimate.
In its blog post about the new “About this image” feature in Circle to Search and Google Lens, Google explains that users can now “quickly get context on images that you see wherever you come across them.”
“Say your friend texts you an image of a cloud that eerily resembles a UFO, and you want to figure out what’s going on,” Google says in an example scenario. In this situation, users on a compatible Android device can activate Circle to Search, circle or tap on the image in question, and then swipe up on the Google Search results to access the new “About this image” tab.
In the cloud photo example, “About this image” shows the source of the image, helping the user determine where the photo came from and learn more about it. Information includes details on how other sites have used and described that same image. When available, About this image will also show image metadata, including a photographer’s name and how the image may have been created.
Of course, metadata isn’t infallible, as Google admits. “It’s important to remember that metadata can be added or removed by the person who posts an image,” says Google. If a person hasn’t scrubbed or edited metadata, it may also show when and what type of AI tools have been used on the image, which as The Verge notes, may be “helpful against weird out-of-context political images on social media.”
“About this image can identify if the image was generated using AI,” says Google. “Provided it contains Google DeepMind’s SynthID watermark embedded within its pixels.”
That is a sizable caveat, as this watermark is only present in AI images generated by Google’s technology, including Imagen 2 and Gemini. Wider-reaching AI image identification requires unedited metadata and accountability from other AI companies, which has thus far proven inconsistent.
As for using “About this image” with Google Lens, it is straightforward. Users must screenshot or download an image, open the Google app, and tap the Lens icon in the search bar. From here, they swipe up to access “About this image.”
“About this image” is rolling out now and available in 40 languages. The implementation within Circle to Search is available on select Android devices, including the latest Samsung and Pixel smartphones. Google Lens is available as an app on Android and iOS.
Image credits: Google
