Quick answer: Adobe automatically attaches Content Credentials to images made or changed with its generative AI: Firefly, and generative features in Photoshop and Lightroom such as Generative Fill, Generative Expand and Generative Remove. For other edits they're optional. They record that generative AI was used, and apps like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn read them.

What Content Credentials are

Content Credentials are Adobe's name for the C2PA standard, which Adobe co-founded with Microsoft and others. They're a signed record stored inside the image file. The signature means the record can't be edited without it showing, but the whole record can be removed.

When Adobe adds them

  • Adobe Firefly (the web app and Firefly features inside other apps): images generated with Firefly carry Content Credentials saying they were made with generative AI.
  • Photoshop and Lightroom generative features: when you use Generative Fill, Generative Expand, Generative Remove or similar, the exported image carries Content Credentials noting generative AI was used.
  • Optional for everything else: Photoshop and some other Adobe apps let you choose to attach Content Credentials to ordinary exports, with details such as your name or connected social accounts, as a way to show your work is yours.

Adobe also offers a separate Content Authenticity app for attaching credentials to your work, including a preference that it shouldn't be used to train AI.

What they can record

Depending on how the file was made, Content Credentials can include:

  • that generative AI was used, and which Adobe tool
  • the app and version that produced the file
  • a summary of edits
  • earlier credentials from source files, if those had them
  • your name or account details, only if you chose to add them

Why this matters for photographers and artists

The record says generative AI was used, not how much. A real photo where you removed one small object with Generative Fill carries the same note as a fully generated image. Meta reads that note and may add its "AI info" label on Instagram, Facebook and Threads, which is why so many retouched photos get labelled. See why Instagram says AI info on your photo.

What you can do

Use non-AI tools for small fixes. Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp and Content-Aware Fill don't add the generative AI note.

Keep the credentials when you want them. If you're sharing AI work openly, or want proof a piece is yours, they help.

Remove them when they'd mislead or reveal too much. Run the exported file through AI Metadata Cleaner, which removes Content Credentials along with EXIF, IPTC and XMP in your browser. Our Content Credentials removal guide covers other methods.

Removing the record doesn't change how the image was made. If it's a realistic AI image of real people or events, platforms and some laws still expect you to disclose that.

Frequently asked questions

Does Photoshop add Content Credentials automatically?

When you use its generative AI features, yes. For other edits, attaching Content Credentials is optional.

Can I turn off Content Credentials for Generative Fill?

Adobe attaches them to generative AI output, so plan to remove them from the exported file if you don't want them, or use the non-AI tools for small fixes.

What do Adobe Content Credentials show?

That generative AI was used and with which tool, the app that made the file, a summary of edits, and your name only if you chose to add it.

How do I remove Adobe Content Credentials?

Run the exported image through a metadata cleaner such as AI Metadata Cleaner, or use ExifTool, then check the result.