Deepfake guide
How to tell if a photo is AI-generated
AI-generated faces and deepfake images are now used for fake dating profiles, impersonator accounts and image-based abuse. These seven signs help you spot them, and the steps below show what to do when a fake image targets you.
7 signs a photo is AI-generated
1. Hands, teeth and ears don't add up
Image generators still struggle with small, complex anatomy. Look for extra or fused fingers, teeth that blur into one band, earrings that don't match, or ears with impossible shapes.
2. Skin looks airbrushed or plastic
AI faces often have uniform, poreless skin with a waxy sheen, even in 'candid' shots. Real photos show pores, small blemishes, and uneven texture.
3. Background warps or melts
Check edges behind the head: bent door frames, text that turns to gibberish, railings that merge, or blurry objects that don't resolve into anything real.
4. Lighting and shadows disagree
The light on the face may come from a different direction than the shadows in the scene, or reflections in the eyes may not match each other.
5. Hair and glasses blend into the face
Strands that fade into skin, glasses frames that disappear halfway, or hair that merges with a collar are common generation artefacts.
6. The account has only flawless photos
Fake profiles often have a handful of studio-perfect images, no tagged photos from friends, and no ordinary everyday shots. Context matters as much as pixels.
7. The photo appears nowhere else — or everywhere
Run a reverse image search (Google Lens, Bing Visual Search, TinEye). A face with zero history may be generated; a face found under many names is probably stolen.
Check a suspicious photo with GACS
The GACS deepfake detector reviews a profile picture for AI-generation and manipulation signs, explains what it found, and opens a protection case if you need the image removed.
Open the Deepfake Photo CheckIf a deepfake of you is being shared
- Save every link, screenshot and the date you found it before it disappears.
- Report it on the platform using its impersonation or non-consensual image form.
- In the EU, file a notice under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act. In the US, intimate deepfakes are covered by the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
- If it is sexual, used for blackmail or you feel unsafe, contact police and a support service such as StopNCII.org.
Deepfake protection for creators and officials: GACS watches your accounts for copied profile pictures, keeps evidence in a private case, and prepares the right removal request. See Talent Manager plans or Government Office plans.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a photo is AI-generated?
Look closely at hands, teeth, ears, skin texture, backgrounds and lighting, then check the account's history and run a reverse image search. No single sign is proof, so combine several signals before deciding.
Is there a free AI image detector I can trust?
Automated detectors give a probability, not a verdict, and can be wrong on compressed, cropped or edited images. Use them as one signal alongside visual checks and account context.
What should I do if someone made a deepfake of me?
Save the links, screenshots and dates before anything is deleted, report the content on the platform, and if it is sexual or used for blackmail, contact police and a victim support service. In the EU you can file a notice under the Digital Services Act; in the US the TAKE IT DOWN Act covers non-consensual intimate images.
How does GACS help with deepfake protection?
GACS subscribers on Platinum, Talent Manager and Government Office plans can run a deepfake photo check, watch accounts for copies of their profile picture, keep evidence in a private case, and prepare removal requests with official reporting links.
Visual signs and detectors give evidence, not certainty. Combine several checks before acting.
Sources & references
External sites referenced on this page, and the sections they relate to.
- eur-lex.europa.euReferenced in: If a deepfake of you is being shared
- stopncii.orgReferenced in: If a deepfake of you is being shared
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Authoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraudConsumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
UK Report FraudUK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCanada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.