Meta Updates AI Labels on Facebook and Instagram for Edited Content

Meta is updating how it labels content edited or modified using generative AI tools across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. These changes affect how users identify AI-edited content, making labels less prominent for lightly edited posts while keeping AI-generated labels front and center.

AI Labels Moving to a Menu for Edited Content

Meta announced that the “AI Info” tag will no longer appear directly below the user’s name for images or videos that were only edited with AI tools. Instead, the label will be placed in a menu located in the top-right corner of the content. Users can click the menu to access details about what was modified using AI. This update reflects a shift in how Meta distinguishes between lightly edited AI content and fully AI-generated material.

Maintaining Transparency for AI-Generated Content

While labels for AI-edited content are becoming less visible, Meta will continue to display the “AI Info” label prominently for content that was entirely AI-generated. Users will still be able to see whether content was flagged due to industry-shared signals or if the creator disclosed the AI involvement themselves.

Why Meta Made These Changes

The new labeling system is designed to provide more accurate information about how much AI was used in content creation. This update follows criticism from creators and photographers who reported their real photos being incorrectly tagged with AI labels. By making AI labels more nuanced, Meta aims to better inform users about the true extent of AI involvement in the content they view.

Industry Signals for AI Detection

Meta’s detection systems rely on signals such as Adobe’s C2PA-supported Content Credentials metadata, which tracks AI use in content. Other similar systems, like Google’s SynthID watermarks, are also employed to identify AI-generated media. Meta has not disclosed the full list of systems it checks, but these industry standards play a key role in detecting AI-edited or generated content.

Concerns Over Less Visible Labels

While the intention behind this update is to clarify AI use, some have raised concerns that moving labels to a menu for lightly edited content might make it harder for users to recognize manipulated images. As generative AI tools become more widespread and sophisticated, especially on smartphones, this reduced visibility may make it easier for edited content to mislead viewers.