Reverse Image Search
A verification technique to find the original source or early instances of an image.
Sometimes the best way to spot a fake isn't looking at pixels—it's looking for context. Reverse image search is your best friend.
The "First Appearance" Check
See a photo of the Pope at a rave? Drag it into Google Lens.
1. Zero Results: If this amazing photo exists NOWHERE else, it's fake. A real event would have 50 angles.
2. Reddit Source: Often you'll find the original post in "r/Midjourney" from three months ago.
3. The Mirror: Fakers flip images to trick the search. Reverse search usually catches them anyway.
Common Manifestations
Contextual Void: A shocking image of a celebrity that, when searched, only appears on one obscure Twitter account and nowhere else on the internet.
How to Spot It
- 1Use Google Lens or TinEye.
- 2Look for "contextual void"—a sensational image with zero news coverage.
- 3Check if the earliest posted version was in an AI art community.