Google recently unveiled a new feature in image search aimed at combating the spread of fake images. “About this image” tool is designed to provide essential background information and context about images displayed in Google Search.
Google Images is one of the most utilized features in Google Search that allows users to find pictures based on search terms. However, the utility of Google Images has been compromised in recent years due to the rise of fake news and AI-generated images. This has made it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between fact and fiction.
The newly launched feature aims to address this issue head-on. Accessible via a three-dot button when selecting an image in Google Images, this tool provides a wealth of information about the selected image. It reveals the image’s origin, context, and even the first time Google encountered it. This is a significant leap in helping users understand what they are actually looking at.
The feature also offers perspectives from other websites that have verified the image’s authenticity. It provides links to news sites that have fact-checked the image, giving users a broader understanding of its background. This feature could be particularly useful in times of crisis, such as the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, where images are often shared out of context. Moreover, it displays the image’s metadata, including details like the original date it was taken, the author, and the camera used.
Google is also working on additional ways to access the tool, including right-clicking or long-pressing on an image in Chrome. Furthermore, Google is experimenting with generative AI to offer more information on online sources, filling in gaps when existing sources like Wikipedia or the Google Knowledge Graph fall short.
Google acknowledges that it’s just the beginning aganist image-based misinformation. The company is aware that users are keen on identifying images generated by Artificial Intelligence. Although Google doesn’t yet have a specific tool to detect AI-generated images, it assures users that all images created by Google’s AI will have metadata indicating as such.
