Google adds more context and AI-generated photos to image search

Google announced new features to its image search function to make it easier to spot altered content, the company announced at Google I/O 2023 on Wednesday. Photos on the search engine will soon include an “about this image” option that tells users when the image and ones like it were first indexed by Google, where it may have appeared first and other places the image has been posted online. That information could help users figure out whether something they're seeing was generated by AI, according to Google. 

The new feature will show up by clicking the three dots on an image in Google Image results. Google did not say exactly when the new feature will be available, besides that it'll be first available in the United States in the “coming months.” Vice president of search Cathy Edwards told Engadget that the tool doesn't currently tell you if an image has been edited or manipulated, though the company is researching effective ways of detecting such tweaks.

Meanwhile, Google also began rolling out images generated by AI. Those images will include a markup in the original file to add context about its creation wherever its used. Image publishers like Midjourney and Shutterstock will also include the markup. Google's efforts to clarify to users where its search results come from started earlier this year with efforts like”About this result.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Follow all of the news from Google I/O 2023 right here.