Check your image's metadata
See what your image file reveals about how it was captured and edited. Inspect AI-related tags, Content Credentials, and location data. Losslessly remove supported metadata and verify the result.
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JPEG, PNG, WebP · Up to 50 MB · Processed locally in your browser
Why does Instagram sometimes label edited photographs as AI?
Major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads use automated systems to detect and label AI-modified media. Genuine photographs often receive AI labels even when only minor retouching was applied.
Technical provenance signals
When you use tools like Photoshop Generative Fill, Lightroom AI Denoise, or smartphone object erasers, the software embeds standard technical indicators — such as Iptc4xmpExt:DigitalSourceType (e.g. compositeWithTrainedAlgorithmicMedia) or C2PA Content Credentials. Platforms read these tags during upload.
A label does not mean fully generated
A platform label indicates that an AI-assisted editing action was recorded in the image's history, not that the entire photograph is synthetic. A real photograph with a small distraction removed can trigger the same label as a fully AI-generated image.
Metadata removal limitations
Cleaning conventional metadata strips embedded file tags (EXIF, IPTC, XMP), but does not guarantee removal of social media AI labels. Platforms also deploy internal visual classifiers and track images independently of file headers.
Advice for photographers
If you want to understand what tags your editing application attached, run your image through our Audit step. If your original work was incorrectly categorised, refer to official platform help centers and industry metadata standards.
Frequently asked questions
What is image metadata?
When you capture a photo with a smartphone, camera, or drone, your device automatically embeds technical metadata into the file container. This often includes exact GPS coordinates, camera hardware make and model, capture timestamps, software identifiers, and editing history.
Does cleaning metadata affect image quality?
No. Harbour Tools performs lossless byte-level manipulation on JPEG, PNG, and WebP containers. It extracts and discards metadata segments (EXIF, XMP, IPTC, and comments) while preserving 100% of the compressed image pixel data, dimensions, transparency, and ICC colour profiles with zero recompression.
Why remove privacy metadata?
Sharing images online can inadvertently reveal your physical whereabouts, home address, camera equipment, or personal routines. Stripping metadata safeguards your privacy, eliminates location tracking, and reduces file size before sharing.
What metadata can this tool remove?
Supports lossless removal of EXIF headers, GPS coordinates, camera make/model, timestamps, IPTC editorial blocks, Adobe XMP packets, PNG text chunks (tEXt, iTXt), and embedded comments across JPEG, PNG, and WebP formats.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
Never. All file parsing, AI metadata inspection, binary cleaning, and verification execute 100% client-side in your local browser memory. No images or metadata ever leave your computer or phone.