Before you upload, ask what kind of photo it is
A profile portrait, a product shot, a news-style image, and a casual phone photo should not be judged in exactly the same way. Studio lighting and beauty filters can make a real portrait look synthetic. A product photo can be rendered or heavily retouched. A news image can be real but old.
Write down the practical question first: "Was this person likely photographed?", "Does this seller probably have the product?", or "Did this event actually happen?" The detector can help with the pixels, but it cannot answer the whole question.
Use file quality as part of the result
A full-resolution file gives the detector and metadata parser more to work with. A small screenshot from a messaging app may still be worth checking, but treat the result as weaker. If you can choose between a thumbnail and a full image, use the full image.
Read high, low, and uncertain results differently
A high AI signal means the photo should not be trusted without more review. Look for a source page, ask for another angle, or compare the image with earlier appearances. A low signal means the file did not show strong generated-image signals. It does not mean the photo is unedited or honestly described.
An uncertain result is common with compressed, cropped, or heavily edited photos. In that case, the next best evidence is usually outside the file: where it came from, who posted it, and whether the same image exists elsewhere.
Metadata can help, but it is not a lie detector
Camera metadata can support a real-photo story. Software metadata can show an edit or export step. Missing metadata can be completely normal after social upload. None of those facts proves the photo is generated or real by itself.
For important decisions, avoid yes/no language. Say what the file suggests and what still needs verification.
Photo review checklist
- Use the largest available file, not a preview if you can avoid it.
- Run the AI image check and note whether the result is strong or uncertain.
- Look for metadata that matches or conflicts with the story.
- Search for older versions of the photo or similar images.
- Check whether the caption is making a claim the image cannot support.
FAQ
Can AI photos pass a detector?
Yes. Realistic generation, editing, screenshots, and compression can produce low or uncertain scores.
Can real photos be flagged?
Yes. Filters, smoothing, low-quality compression, and unusual camera processing can confuse detection.
What is the best file to upload?
The original or largest available image. Avoid screenshots and thumbnails when you have a cleaner file.