What is image metadata?
EXIF, GPS, AI generation data & C2PA — explained simply
Every image file carries hidden information about how it was made — the camera or AI model, the date, the location, the software, and increasingly whether it was generated by AI. This data is called metadata. Below is what it is and what’s inside; the questions at the end cover how to view, edit or remove it.
What is image metadata?
Image metadata is structured information stored inside an image file, separate from the pixels you see. It describes how, when and with what the image was created, and it travels with the file when you copy or share it — unless it is deliberately removed.
What is EXIF?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is the most common metadata standard, used by virtually every camera and smartphone. Embedded mainly in JPEG and TIFF, it records exposure, ISO, aperture, the camera and lens model, orientation, the capture date and time, and very often the GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken.
What’s stored in image metadata
- Camera & lens — make, model, exposure, ISO, focal length, flash.
- Date & time — when the image was captured or created.
- GPS location — latitude/longitude (sometimes altitude) of where it was taken.
- Software — the app or pipeline that wrote or edited the file.
- Copyright & author — creator, rights and contact (IPTC/XMP).
- AI generation data — prompt, model, seed and settings for AI images (PNG text/XMP).
- C2PA Content Credentials — a tamper-evident, cryptographically signed record of origin.