Fake photos and videos spread quickly during events. Sometimes a genuine shot is passed off as fresh, though it was taken long ago and in another place. Checking this is not hard.
Reverse image search
Upload a photo to an image search service and it will show where else it has been published. This will help you find the original source and the date of first publication.
How to use it
- Save the image or copy the link.
- Open a reverse image search service.
- Upload the file or paste the link.
- Look at the earliest matches and compare dates.
For video, take screenshots of key frames and search for them in the same way.
What to look at in the picture itself
- Signs, number plates, inscriptions: they can hint at the country or city.
- Weather and lighting: do they match the stated date.
- Shadows and distortions that point to editing.
- Odd details: extra fingers, blurred elements, typical of images created by a neural network.
Check the context
- Who published first: a reliable source or an anonymous one?
- Do other independent media confirm the event?
- Are there references to the place and time?
The golden rule
Do not share until you have checked. An emotional post calling to “share urgently” is a reason to be wary.
