Use EXIF metadata as one image authenticity signal.

What EXIF metadata can show

EXIF metadata is information embedded in an image file. A camera photo may include camera make, model, lens, exposure settings, date, orientation, GPS location, and software fields. Those fields can support a real-photo claim when they match the image and source context.

• Camera model and lens fields can suggest real capture hardware.
• Date and timezone fields can help compare the image to the claimed event.
• Software fields can reveal editing tools, exports, or platform processing.
• GPS fields can support location claims, but should be handled carefully for privacy.

What missing metadata means

Missing metadata does not automatically mean an image is AI-generated. Messaging apps, social networks, screenshots, CMS tools, and optimization pipelines often strip metadata from real photos. Many legitimate news images also lose original metadata during editing or publishing.

At the same time, a freshly captured camera photo that has no metadata can deserve extra review. The useful question is not "metadata exists or not." The useful question is whether the metadata matches the story, source, file type, and visual content.

C2PA, SynthID, and provenance markers

Some platforms and tools add provenance markers that describe how media was created or edited. These standards are helpful when present, but coverage is still uneven. Many images online have no provenance data, and screenshots can remove it. Img ID reports visible or metadata-based provenance clues when they are available, then combines them with visual evidence.

Privacy note

Metadata can include sensitive details such as location. Img ID uses metadata to produce your analysis result and does not require an account for the free web tool. Avoid uploading private images if you do not want their content or metadata processed by third-party AI services.