Google announced it is launching a new tool to help users assess the context and credibility of images, in as part of an ongoing effort to fight misinformation. The “About this image” tool will be available in the coming months, first in the U.S. in English.
The new tool will offer information such as: when the image and similar images were first indexed by Google, where it may have first appeared and where else it’s been seen online (like on news, social, or fact checking sites), Google said in a product update.
The company posted the below illustrative example showing how people will be able to get more context using the new tool:
Later this year, users will also be able to use it by right-clicking or long-pressing on an image in Chrome on desktop and mobile.
“With this background information on an image, you can get a better understanding of whether an image is reliable — or if you need to take a second look. For example, with About this image, you’d be able to see that news articles pointed out that this image depicting a staged moon landing was AI-generated, the company explained.
The company mentions a 2022 Poynter study indicating 62 per cent of people believe they come across misinformation daily or weekly. “That’s why we continue to build easy-to-use tools and features on Google Search to help you spot misinformation online, quickly evaluate content, and better understand the context of what you’re seeing,” it added.
As part of its afford to fight disinformation, the company is offering since 2021 the “About this result” tool, which allows users to quickly see more information about a source or topic, so users can assess whether you can trust what they’re reading.
As it begins to roll out generative image capabilities, Google said it will ensure that every one of its AI-generated images has a markup in the original file to give users context if they come across it outside of its platforms. Creators and publishers will be able to add similar markups, so they will be able to see a label in images in Google Search, marking them as AI-generated. Several publishers including Midjourney, Shutterstock, and others will do the same in the coming months, according to Google.
