Google has opened its SynthID Detector to everyone, free of charge. If a photo, video or audio clip reaches you on WhatsApp and you are not sure whether AI made it, you can now upload the file and check it for an invisible AI watermark called SynthID. This guide explains how the check works, how to use it step by step, and — just as important — what it cannot tell you.
Key points
- Free tool from Google, available globally in English
- Checks images, video and audio for the SynthID watermark
- Detects content made with Google AI tools and partner tools (OpenAI, NVIDIA, Kakao; Apple expected to join)
- A “not detected” result does NOT prove a file is real — it only means no SynthID watermark was found
What is SynthID?
Google launched SynthID in 2023. It places a watermark inside AI-generated images, videos and audio that people cannot see or hear, but software can detect later. According to Google, more than 180 billion images and videos and about 240,000 years of audio have been watermarked so far. The watermark is designed to survive normal sharing, such as screenshots and compression, better than visible labels that can simply be cropped off.
What changed in October 2026?
An early version of the detector was available to media professionals last year. On 7 October 2026, Google announced that the SynthID Detector is expanding to everyone, available globally in English. The detector joins the verification features already built into Google Search, the Gemini app and Chrome, which Google says now handle more than one million verification requests every day.
How to use the SynthID Detector (step by step)
- Save the suspicious photo, video or audio file on your phone or computer.
- Open the SynthID Detector website (synthid.com) in your browser and sign in if asked.
- Upload the file.
- Wait for the scan — the tool checks the file for a SynthID watermark and highlights where a watermark is detected.
- Read the result carefully (see the next section before you share or forward the file).
How to read the result
| Result | What it actually means |
|---|---|
| Watermark detected | The file (or part of it) was created or edited with a Google AI tool or a partner tool that uses SynthID |
| No watermark detected | No SynthID watermark was found. The file may still be AI-made by a tool that does not use SynthID, or edited afterwards. It is a clue, not a final verdict |
Why this matters for students and teachers in Pakistan
- Viral “news” photos and voice notes on WhatsApp are a common source of misinformation during exams, admissions and political events.
- Teachers can check whether an image in a student’s project was AI-generated — as a starting point for a conversation, not as proof by itself.
- Journalists, page admins and students can add one quick verification step before forwarding media.
Limits you must know
- It only finds SynthID watermarks. AI tools that do not use SynthID leave nothing for this detector to find.
- Google itself says SynthID is not a complete solution for identifying all AI content.
- Always combine it with other checks: reverse image search, the original source, and official announcements.
FAQ
Is the SynthID Detector free?
Yes, Google has made it available to everyone free of charge, globally, in English.
Does it work for Urdu content?
The tool itself works on files (images, video, audio), not on language; its interface is currently in English.
If no watermark is found, is the photo definitely real?
No. It only means no SynthID watermark was detected. The file could still be AI-generated by other tools.
Which companies’ AI content can it detect?
Content made with Google AI tools and partners including OpenAI, NVIDIA and Kakao; Google says Apple is expected to join soon.
Conclusion / next step
Before you forward the next shocking photo or voice note, run this 1-minute check. For more safety guides, read our article on how to check whether an offer is genuine.