How to Spot a Deepfake: 7 Red Flags Everyone Should Know

Deepfake technology has advanced to the point where even experts sometimes struggle to identify manipulated content. However, AI-generated media still has weaknesses that observant viewers can spot. Here are seven red flags to watch for:

1. Unnatural Eye Movements and Blinking

Human eyes move in subtle, complex patterns, and we blink approximately 15-20 times per minute. Early deepfakes often showed irregular blinking patterns or completely unnatural eye movements. While modern deepfakes have improved, watching the eyes closely can still reveal inconsistencies - especially if the person blinks too frequently, too rarely, or in a mechanical rhythm.

2. Audio-Visual Synchronization Issues

Watch the lips carefully. Do they match the audio perfectly? Even advanced deepfakes sometimes struggle with precise lip-sync, especially during fast speech or emotional moments. Look for:

• Slight delays between mouth movements and sound
• Lips that don't quite form the right shapes for certain sounds
• Unusual jaw movements that don't match natural speech patterns

3. Lighting and Shadow Inconsistencies

AI struggles to perfectly replicate complex lighting scenarios. Look for:

• Shadows that fall in the wrong direction
• Facial lighting that doesn't match the environment
• Reflections in glasses or eyes that seem off
• Inconsistent color temperature on the face versus the background

4. Artifacts Around Hair and Edges

The border between a deepfaked face and the background is often where the AI struggles most. Pay attention to:

• Blurriness or distortion around hairlines
• Hair that seems to shimmer or flicker unnaturally
• Edges of the face that look too smooth or artificially sharp
• Areas where hair meets the neck or shoulders

5. Unnatural Skin Texture

While AI has gotten better at rendering skin, it still often produces:

• Skin that looks too smooth or plastic-like
• Missing pores or texture details
• Unusual shininess or color variation
• Skin that appears digitally "airbrushed" even in casual settings

6. Context and Common Sense

Ask yourself critical questions:

• Does this video make sense given what I know about this person?
• Why would this video exist and who benefits from it?
• Is the video trying to make me feel a strong emotion (outrage, fear, excitement)?
• Does the content align with verified information from reputable sources?

7. Technical Metadata and Source Verification

When possible, examine:

• Where did this video first appear?
• Has it been verified by reliable news sources?
• Are there other angles or versions of the same event?
• Does the video quality or technical characteristics raise questions?

Use Detection Tools

Several organizations offer deepfake detection tools:

• Microsoft Video Authenticator
• Intel's FakeCatcher
• Sensity (for enterprise use)
• Reality Defender

While these tools aren't perfect, they can provide an additional layer of verification for suspicious content.

The Most Important Advice: Slow Down and Verify

Deepfakes rely on emotional manipulation and viral spreading. The most powerful defense is simply pausing before you react, share, or make decisions based on video content. Take time to verify through multiple trusted sources, especially if the content is shocking, urgent, or seems designed to provoke an emotional response.

Remember: If a video seems too outrageous to be real, it might not be. Trust, but verify.