Taylor Swift on a mountain holding a gun?

Is this a still from a new music video? Or part of a political agenda?

Nope, it’s neither.

What looks like a regular photo isn’t anymore. This is a deepfake image—an AI-generated creation designed to look 100% real.

Not too long ago, we could spot deepfakes easily: glitchy faces, mismatched colors, awkward eyes, and 6 fingers per hand.

And now? They are getting frighteningly realistic.

Today’s deepfakes capture subtle details: skin texture, eye reflections, and even natural lighting. It’s no longer about noticing obvious flaws; it’s about questioning what you see.

Case in point: Taylor's image above.

And there are real-life implications to this.

In 2023, deepfake fraud attempts accounted for 6.5% of total fraud attempts, marking a 2,137% increase over the past three years.

What starts as a harmless image can quickly spiral into misinformation, financial fraud, or reputational ruin.

This is why it's so important to know what a deepfake image is and how to spot them.

What Is a Deepfake Image?

A deepfake image is a photo created, or manipulated, using AI.

It comes from deep learning: a type of machine learning that tries to mimic how our brains process information.

The tech studies tons of data: photos, videos, audio, text and looks for patterns.

The more data it the model receives, the more it learns and the better it gets.

For image generation, the technology uses what it learns to create photos that look real… but aren’t.

AI and machine learning are capable of creating images of real-looking people doing things they never did. Posing, speaking, endorsing something—you name it—all without ever being involved.

What's scary is that this isn't just being used for fun internet tricks. People are using them to lie, scam, and manipulate.

In early 2024, social media was splashed with Taylor Swift's deepfake endorsing political candidates.

People who have no clue what a deepfake photo is actually believed them. Some even shared this image without thinking twice.

Around the same time, Polish billionaire Rafal Brzoska discovered over 260 deepfake ads on Meta’s platforms featuring him and his wife.

These fraudulent ads misled users into financial scams, which led to him considering legal action against Meta for allowing such content.

And it only gets worse.

Deepfake images have been used to create fake celebrity endorsements, spread political misinformation, and even craft explicit images without consent.

Think That Photo’s Real? Top Ways to Catch a Deepfake

Think you can trust what you see? Not always.

Deepfake images are designed to fool you. But with the right tricks, you can catch them before they catch you off guard.

If you’ve been wondering how to detect deepfake images, start with these five proven methods:

1. Examine the Details

Light behaves in predictable ways. And while deepfakes are getting closer to perfection, most still mess this up.

Pay attention to key details.

Maybe the face is too brightly lit while the background stays dark. Shadows might fall in odd directions or not show up at all. Eyes can look unnaturally bright, and skin may have a texture that feels a little… animated.

Take a look at this (really bad) image of “Scarlett Johansson” above: the lighting, facial details, and background blur just don’t add up.

It’s not just human images, either.

Deepfakes of objects, animals, and places can show similar flaws.

Look for strange reflections on cars, inconsistent lighting on buildings, or landscapes that seem a little too perfect.

2. Use AI Detection Tools

In addition to manually analyzing images, it's best to deploy a tool to detect deepfake images; people have a ~50% chance to get it right.

Especially when you have 100s, or millions, of images you need to verify ASAP.

This is where relying on tools like AI or Not can be the solution. It can help you detect deepfake images that your eyes can’t.

Worried about falling for a deepfake? Quickly scan and verify images with AI or Not: the tool that spots what your eyes cannot.

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Your Social Feed Is Lying: Spot Deepfakes Before They Fool You

Detecting deepfake images, in general, is challenging, but figuring them out on social media is a whole different problem.

The rapid spread of content and the prevalence of user-generated posts make platforms like Instagram and X fertile grounds for misinformation.

Knowing how to spot a deepfake image in your feed can save you from falling for fakes and spreading them further.

1. Verify the Source of the Content

If you think a photo might be a deepfake, it’s worth checking who posted it first. 

In most cases, these images come from accounts that raise red flags: fake profiles, newly created pages or accounts involved in spreading hate or misinformation.

Why is this important? Because these types of accounts are often behind the spread of deepfakes.

Scammers use them to push manipulated images into the viral loop, hoping people share without thinking twice.

2. Look for User Comments and Fact-Checks

You don't always need to be the detective!

People online are quick to spot fakes, and you’ll often find users pointing out flaws or dropping links to fact-checks. You’ll often see AI or Not in the comments too.

Many social media platforms now step in with warnings when an image is flagged as a deepfake.

You’ve probably seen those little notices below posts: “This image may be manipulated” or “Independent fact-checkers say this is false.”

Don’t ignore them. They’re there for a reason.

3.  Be Wary of Sensational or Provocative Content

If something seems too wild to be true, it probably isn’t. Though, with current events, fact is often stranger than fiction.

Deepfake images are made to manipulate emotions. They rely on outrage, shock, or disbelief to get people to react and share without thinking.

When you come across something that instantly makes you go, “No way that happened,” pause. 

Take a second. Question it before sharing.

5 Tricks to Avoid Getting Fooled by Image Scams

Here are five practical ways to stay ahead of image-based scams:

1. Stay Updated

Technology evolves fast, and so do scams.

Following trusted news outlets and tech blogs helps you stay informed about the latest deepfake trends.

Knowing how to spot a deepfake photo becomes easier when you’re aware of how these fakes are improving.

2. Educate Your Circle

You might spot a fake, but can your friends and family?

Misinformation spreads quickly through private groups and DMs.

Help your circle recognize red flags, like checking for odd details, verifying the source, and pausing before sharing sensational images. 

3. Check for Context

Deepfake images often circulate without proper context. It'll just be an image and a sensational caption.

If something feels off, look at the full post, captions, and comments. Is there credible reporting to back it up?

If not, consider it suspicious.

4. Tighten Your Privacy Settings

Sharing personal photos on social media? We all do it. But for scammers, that’s prime material to exploit.

That’s why adjusting your privacy settings isn’t just important, it’s essential.

Limit access to your personal images as much as possible; only let trusted people in.

And you wouldn’t be alone in doing this.

A study shows that 79.2% of people have already tightened their social media privacy settings or cut back on usage over privacy concerns.

5. Use Reliable Tools

Spotting a deepfake with the naked eye isn’t always possible. Some fakes are just that convincing; no weird blurs, no obvious glitches.

That’s where tools like AI or Not come in. Just upload the image, and you’ll get clarity in seconds.

When in doubt, let technology do the heavy lifting.

Conclusion: Staying Ahead of Deepfake Technology

Deepfake images aren’t just getting better; they’re getting dangerous.

What seems real can be completely generated, spreading lies, scams, and serious reputational damage.

Sure, you can check for obvious red flags or weird details. But some fakes are too good to catch on your own.

That’s where AI or Not steps in.

Just a quick upload, and you can uncover what your eyes might miss and avoid falling for something that isn’t real.

How can you trust what you see when even photos can lie?

Test your images with AI or Not today and stay one step ahead of digital deception.

FAQs

1. How do you tell if a picture is a deepfake?

Look for visual inconsistencies like mismatched lighting, distorted backgrounds, or odd facial details. Verifying the source helps, but for faster and more accurate detection, use tools like AI or Not to spot hidden manipulations most people miss.

2. Is watching deepfakes illegal?

Watching deepfakes isn’t illegal in most places. However, creating, sharing, or using them for harmful purposes like fraud, defamation, or impersonation, can violate laws depending on how and where they’re used.

3. How are deepfakes created?

Deepfakes are made using AI and machine learning. These technologies analyze thousands of images to mimic real faces, movements, and expressions, which results in fake visuals that can look disturbingly real.

4. How is deepfake illegal?

Deepfakes become illegal when used maliciously, i.e., for scams, identity theft, or spreading false information. Many countries prosecute cases where these manipulations cause harm, violate privacy, or are used to deceive the public.