Google Image results flooded with AI images, users notice

If you’ve been searching for images on Google lately, you may have noticed something unusual. Instead of finding real photos, many users are encountering a flood of AI-generated images. This sudden spike has left people confused, and even a little frustrated.

One Reddit user recently pointed out that searching for “baby peacock” returns a number of AI-generated images, instead of actual photos of the bird’s chicks. Others have shared similar experiences, noting that even when refining search terms or trying to exclude AI content, the generated images still appear.

So why is this happening?

The rise of AI image generators has made it easier than ever for anyone to create hyper-realistic images with just a few clicks. These tools can produce stunning visuals, but they’re also contributing to a growing mix of real and artificial content online. As more people create and share AI-generated images, search engines like Google are indexing them alongside real photos.

Google is aware of the problem and has announced plans to begin labeling AI-generated images in search results. This means that you’ll soon see a note indicating whether an image was created or edited by AI, helping you distinguish between the two. However, this feature will take time to implement, and the current influx will continue to mix with real content.

The situation raises concerns about misinformation. When AI images seamlessly mix with real ones, it’s harder for users to tell what’s authentic. This is especially tricky when searching for images of less-documented subjects or rare phenomena.
So what can you do in the meantime?

One handy tip shared by users is to modify your search queries. For example, adding “-AI” or specifying a date range (such as “before:2020”) can help filter out some of the generated content. However, these methods aren’t foolproof and may require a bit of trial and error.

If you’re curious about this phenomenon, try searching for “baby peacocks” yourself and see what comes up. Or, pick another topic you’re interested in and observe whether AI-generated images dominate the results.