r/isthisAI • • Jun 29 '26

Other PSA: SynthID What is it? How do I check? And what are its limitations? and how not to annoy everyone by doing the basics.

141 Upvotes

I thought it was about time to make a new PSA about SynthID. English is not my first language so there's probably some mistakes.

 

As you may be aware, this subreddit does not allow AI detectors. This is because they are extremely unreliable. Try going to deviantart or any other art site and test them with a few images, it should be easy to find something they say is AI despite it being uploaded over five years ago.

This is my go to example https://www.deviantart.com/hibbary/art/Third-Eye-748333152 see how it was uploaded in 2018, there is no way this could be generated but nearly all the detectors I have tried say that it is.

Then why is SynthID allowed, you might say?

SynthID is different. It's a thing developed by Google, when you use their generators they add a hidden pattern to the image which is difficult to remove without lowering the quality of the image or changing it significantly. This is what it is looking for, not if it looks like it's generated like the other detectors. Therefore you can be sure if it says that SynthID is detected, an AI has done something to the image in some way. It could be something as simple as upscaling, changing something or it could be completely generated. The point is if it has SynthID you cannot trust the image.

Recently OpenAI(ChatGPT) have implemented the same technology in their generator. There is an important thing though Google and OpenAI can only detect their own images. Not each other's so you have to run the image through both of them.

So how do I use them?

For OpenAI it's very simple https://openai.com/research/verify/ they have a page for it.

Google of course has to be more complicated. It used to be able to do a "search by image" and then go to about the image but that no longer works. Now you have to use Gemini to get an answer. Add the image you suspect and type "@Verify AI". Annoying but I don't know any better way.

Edit: When using Gemini it is very important that you type "@Verify AI" and not "SynthID" or any other variation of it. Otherwise there is a high chance that it will hallucinate and give you the wrong answer. It is also important to use a clean new session for each image.

Another edit: To confirm that Gemini actually use the verification tool you can press the three little dots underneath its response and then select "see response details".

Now I can't stress this enough, these two methods will only detect OpenAI's and Google's images. Not any other generator. So when an image comes up negative for SynthID that doesn't mean it's not AI. It can only prove that an image is fake not disprove it.

So before you post an image here please check for yourself you will save yourself some time and not waste others.

edit 29-09-2026: It has come to my attention that Meta(Facebook) and Grog(Twitter, I refuse to call it X, it's a dumb name) have also implemented some kind of SynthID. I do not know much about it since I don't and refuse to interact with those two sites. But I will assume that they works just like the others, in that way that you have to check with all of them. This is quickly becoming quite a nuisance to check for SynthID.

edit 16-10-2026 Google has released a global SynthID detector synthid.com I've only briefly tested it and it seems to work. You still need to sign into an account, which is a bit disappointing.


r/isthisAI • • Jul 26 '26

MOD POST New updated Discord for IsthisAI! faster way to find out if a image is AI or not with less restrictions.

12 Upvotes

https://discord.gg/ssuwD2z2JJ Join here and get member role by reaction in the verify channel


r/isthisAI • • 7h ago

Video I can't really tell if this is ai or not, the pfp of where this tiktok came from is definitely AI but not sure about the video

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222 Upvotes

Something about the editing and other things just seem off I guess? The way he holds it seems od/ the welds itself


r/isthisAI • • 9h ago

Other I think the San Diego Wildlife Society is using AI in its Merchandise (SD Zoo Gift Shop)

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175 Upvotes

Something about the lighting, line thickness, and the meant-to-look-realistic style. Just sucks - a missed opportunity to work with real artists if true.


r/isthisAI • • 11h ago

Photo I'm convinced my meal is using an AI image, plus the contrast to reality is stark

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214 Upvotes

What even are those noodles? I bought from a food delivery service, so wasn't able to slide the sleeve over like they at least suggest


r/isthisAI • • 4h ago

Video The perception of the depth is distorted in my opinion. It feels like the rock is falling forever. It feels like the drop should be a quarter of what it is

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33 Upvotes

r/isthisAI • • 13h ago

Solved [Not AI] Posters have been going around my school saying AI is bad (I agree) but I am not sure if the said posters were generated.

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170 Upvotes

They seem to look like Canva or some other form of art software, but it doesnt really have many of the tell tale signs of being AI, anyone can help decide would be amazing, Online doesnt tell me if it was or isnt AI


r/isthisAI • • 6h ago

Other My student’s are not allowed to use AI under any circumstances whatsoever but I just got this email, is this AI??

42 Upvotes

For context my student is in 7th grade and this is the first email they have written to me. I’m a math teacher so I have no knowledge of their writing style. I plan to report this to the higher ups if it is AI. How do I even check? Let me know, thanks.

Dear (my name),

I hope this email finds you well! I am writing to kindly ask if I could have a one-day extension on my assignment. I haven’t been able to finish everything yet, and having just one additional day would really help me complete my work more carefully—and to the best of my ability. I understand that deadlines are important, and I want to make sure I’m turning in something that reflects my best effort. An extra day would give me the opportunity to review my work, make improvements, and ensure everything is completed properly.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause—and I truly appreciate your time, patience, and consideration.

Best regards,

(Students name)


r/isthisAI • • 6h ago

Photo People praying in Mexico Something seems off about it but I can't pinpoint anything obvious

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35 Upvotes

Saw this post, everyone saying it's AI but can't really tell why. eg of the kneeling woman seems to be blurred but that can have a different cause?, the poses a little off but they're praying, is there anything else


r/isthisAI • • 21h ago

Art Applied to an art tutor gig, client asked me to draw this. I've been zooming at it and it looks alright I think.

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504 Upvotes

I applied to an art tutor gig and the client asked me to draw this instead of an interview. Is this AI? Am I being scammed?

UPDATE: Thank you all for your input. I have withdrawn my application from this "client".

I would like to share how this started to add context and perhaps serve as a warning to others. I am a freelance artist, but commissions have been slow lately and money is tight, so I looked into odd jobs online and just started applying to them. A local art tutor job posting appeared on my feed, and it was rather unique to my city since art jobs are very rare here. Despite having no experience teaching kids specifically, I did some art skill demonstrations in the past so I figured why not.

When the client messaged me, the conversation started out normally about the job specifics and that I would be teaching a 4th grader and an 8th grader. I thought I had a pretty good chance since I've already sent my resume and portfolio and they were already asking me when I would like to start. This would be my first tutor gig and I was excited. Then they sent me this picture and told me to draw it and send it to them.

I asked them when they needed the finished output and they told me they needed it the next day. I was surprised since it was very detailed, but I draw quickly and well, so I said I'd do it. I gave it some thought after a while then posted it here to confim my doubts. I became more convinced after reading your replies. I shared my thoughts with my family as well and they told me to be careful.

I deleted the resume and portfolio from our conversation then sent a message that I would much rather have an interview or a quick call than this drawing test. They began asking me why I didn't want to do it and if I wasn't confident in my skills. They also added that they wouldn't know my skills from a call or an interview and asked if the art in my portfolio wasn't mine. It was very gaslighty and manipulative, and even if they were legitimate, I could feel that they would be a nightmare to work with. I took courage and told them that accusing me of plagiarizing my own portfolio was unprofessional and that I was withdrawing my application. They followed up that they would be now be agreeing to an interview, but I've lost my interest by then and blocked them. I probably lost my chances since I never confirmed if it was a real job or not, but oh well. Better to be safe than sorry, I thought.

Thank you to everyone who responded. I did not know about SynthID prior to making to this post, and my English wording is not very good which has caused some confusion, but I appreciate you all for taking the time to check if it is AI or not. I will tread carefully from now on.

Thank you!


r/isthisAI • • 16h ago

Video Is this ai? The physics of him flying off seem impossible, with a suspiciously convenient glamour shot of the ground below him. He posted an update where he lived with minor injuries.

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197 Upvotes

Supposedly he had the experience to drive a cycle intelligently for years, and then all of a sudden couldn't navigate around one cycle in a straightaway. This causes him to be lifted into the air. The way the cycle moves away from his body feels suspect as well.

Anybody find any tells?


r/isthisAI • • 6h ago

Art Is this commission I got Ai? The artist finished it really fast and hasn't replied back to me after sending it.

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13 Upvotes

I got this piece recently and do to the nature of it being received within the day I ordered it and the lack of updates, like sketches, I think it could be but I'm no good at detecting this stuff. I don't feel comfortable asking outright for any sketches or the like as I hate confronting without good evidence. Any help is appreciated. Also I have tried asking for a sketch or time lapse but no response yet1. Thanks.


r/isthisAI • • 1d ago

Photo No tells here. Taken from another sub and no one could tell if it was AI or not either.

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1.6k Upvotes

Video claims to be AI. Saw this posted on r/oddlyterrifying and there wasn’t consensus if it was AI or not. Could just be lip syncing but I know that models are almost perfect now.


r/isthisAI • • 7h ago

Art i want to commission a painting from an artist i found on instagram. The art styles look different in some posts?

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11 Upvotes

found an artist on instagram and i would love for them to paint my cat but i cant tell if they use AI.


r/isthisAI • • 14h ago

Photo Person on tiktok selling iffy rugs for a very low price compared to other rug shops

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33 Upvotes

At first I thought they were just super good at what they did but upon closer inspection it was just too… perfect?? I don’t want to seem like a jealous person but it was just way too clean. I zoomed in and it was so grainy and smooth and didn’t seem very rug-like. They also have a huge amount of them made and it’s just not very realistic as I know those rugs take an immense amount of time. I also found that exact picture of the lily on googles. Nobody on that comment section is saying anything about it so I don’t know.


r/isthisAI • • 4h ago

Photo Is this AI? My aunt does have a large shade structure above her pool. The image looks odd to me and some of the food items dont seem to have any readable lettering....

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5 Upvotes

The shade structure above her pool was very poorly built by a cheap company. It's super sketchy to stand on that thing. She refers to it as the " balcony off the master sweet. " there are no guard rails on any sides of this thing and standing on it feels risky. This whole image seems fake to me. And she has been known to lie and make up stupid stuff in the past.

The food items have no lettering I can reccongnize and obviously the screen itself has an image put on in an edit I'd assume. Also I can't think of any place up there for a projector to go that would even go in that direction.

She sent me photos from day time and night time.


r/isthisAI • • 26m ago

Photo Halloween party “last year’s pictures” look a bit unrealistic. Are they????

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• Upvotes

All of these images look very generic and fake as all hell to me. It doesn’t matter since I’ll probably go with my friend anyway.. but I can’t be the only one who thinks that the pictures just look so generated? I might be wrong though, I’m trying to prove a point to her for the sake of it. Thoughts??


r/isthisAI • • 9h ago

Video is the mei wiggling clip on the wa wa wa part ai generated? a cat wouldn't do allat right?

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10 Upvotes

I know the cat (meimei or tole tole cat) is real, but is the clip that plays on the wa wa wa part ai generated?

I really like this video but I don't think cats do that

I tried to put a screenshot of it on synth id and it says it's not AI, but I'm unsure


r/isthisAI • • 6h ago

Art Is this designed by AI? They vehemently deny using AI but the design looks very suspicious

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4 Upvotes

They have videos tracing over a print that looks exactly like the finished product. They obviously carved it BUT the design itself feels very AI - as someone who dabbles in linocut it feels like so many of the marks weirdly made.


r/isthisAI • • 3h ago

Art This fabric book cover is AI right??? It looks awfully like AI. Got it donated at the place I work.

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2 Upvotes

r/isthisAI • • 3h ago

Art Sequence of Queens board game cover art being sold at Target, is it AI or just off putting art?

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2 Upvotes

Came across this game at Target. I feel the art work on the box is AI generated. The proportions are off, the body feels like it was drawn as the front, making the head almost feel like it is on backwards. The crown sits on the head all wrong. If it is not AI, I think the artist got "lost in the sauce" so to speak. The overall feel of the image and anatomy inconsistencies are just so odd, I dont feel like an artist would make these mistakes.


r/isthisAI • • 6h ago

Other Are the videos this guy posts ai generated? He posts once every 1-3 days(he started out by explainning premises of movies, then reading comics, and now 3d stuff)

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3 Upvotes

r/isthisAI • • 1d ago

Art Reddit user says they won a drawing contest with this piece but I suspect it's AI

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65 Upvotes

The style is so incredible AI looking to me. The composition as well. The blanket looks off, the details on the arm rests aren't symmetrical and I don't know - I can't exactly pinpoint it down so that's why I'm posting it here. It was originally posted at r/coloring.

Also for how detailed and 'well done' the scene is, the shading is basically non existent. Instead it looks flat and one would think that for a contest you would put more effort into those kinds of things.


r/isthisAI • • 2h ago

Video Anyone else feels like this video's script sound AI like? Like I've read many AI scripts before and this sounds like one of them

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1 Upvotes

Not claiming the animation or voice is AI but Why does the script sound pretty AI like?

Multiple times I've heard variations of......

"The myths made it like this but this modern media turned it into a so and so."

Plus the redundant repetition of info that was already said before.


r/isthisAI • • 1d ago

Photo Is this image of this product AI? I know that Legos don’t typically have side pieces like this but that’s Legos. Maybe this brand does something different…? Idk it feels off but I can’t tell.

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91 Upvotes