How can you verify whether photos or videos are authentic?

Photos and videos we see online often look convincing and authentic, but they may hide manipulation, misleading context, or deliberate disinformation. At a time when visual content can easily be edited with AI and reused, verifying its authenticity has become a crucial skill for every internet user. In this video, you will learn practical steps and tools that will help you check whether a photo or video is truly authentic, and how to recognize when content has been taken out of context or used for manipulation.

Step 1: Reverse Image Search. Google Lens makes it easy to see if the photo already exists online. For a video, make a screenshot and search for it.

Step 2: Use Advanced Tools. If Google fails, use external tools. RevEye searches for multiple engines like Yandex.

For videos, try INVID & WeVerify’s fake news debunker.

Just upload the video; the tool extracts dozens of key screenshots to search.

Our check showed this exact footage is from Stockholm Pride in 2023—a year before Sweden joined NATO. The claim is false.

Step 3: Ask AI for Context. You can ask large language models like ChatGPT or Gemini for extra context.

Simply upload your screenshot and ask. But beware: AI gives hints, not guarantees, and sometimes makes mistakes. 

If these techniques fail to show any digital source or wrongdoing, you still must remain vigilant. Remember: images are often manipulated or stripped of context, to aggravate or sway public opinion in targeted countries. This is a known tactic in the FIMI – Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference toolbox, and it’s something you’ll be seeing much more often.