Images on the internet expand and multiply. It’s not uncommon to see re-uploads on top of re-uploads of an old image, to the point that any context or history associated with the image becomes a mystery. You can reverse image search, and you can filter by date and time period, but even with these relatively simple tools, research can be a really daunting task. Now, Google is rolling out a possible solution called About this image.
Google Search is introducing two new features to enhance user confidence and credibility while exploring images and online sources. The “About this image” tool, which is rolling out globally in English, offers insights into an image’s history, usage on other sites, and metadata such as AI enhancements. You can see how long an image has been making the rounds on the internet, where it was first published, and where it has been shared. Users can access this tool by clicking the three-dot menu on an image in Google Images (or by selecting “more about this page” in Search results) and clicking the “About this image” option. It aids in verifying the authenticity of images, thereby reducing misinformation and improving researchability.
Another tool, called Fact Check Explorer, is designed for journalists and fact-checkers and now includes image-searching capabilities in its beta. The feature, allows you to upload images or input image URLs to find existing fact checks associated with the image. The tool highlights different contexts linked to the image across the web. It can, for example, give you information on real-world locations that an image is associated with, so you can check whether an image is legit or if an older image is making the rounds in new fake news.
These enhancements are meant to address the growing concern regarding online image authenticity. In its announcement, Google quoted a study led by the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise initiative, which found that 70% of respondents lacked confidence in identifying authentic and reliable online images.
These features are now rolling out to users, although it might take a while for them to land for everyone. Note that Fact Check Explorer’s image-searching capabilities are in beta.
Source: Google
