What Does It Mean to Verify Content Credentials?
When you verify content credentials, you're checking the authenticity and provenance of digital files using C2PA technology. Content credentials verification examines the embedded C2PA manifest data to confirm:
- The content's creation source and origin
- Any edits or modifications made to the file
- The identity of the creator or organization
- Whether AI tools were used in creation
- The chain of custody for the digital asset
Our content credentials verification tool makes this process instant and free, with no technical expertise required. It supports both C2PA verification and content credentials checking.
How to Verify Content Credentials: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to verify content credentials and check digital authenticity using C2PA technology:
Step 1: Upload Your File
Visit the C2PA Viewer homepage and either drag-and-drop your file or click to browse. Supported formats include JPEG, PNG, WebP, and more.
Step 2: Automatic Content Credentials Detection
Our content credentials verification tool automatically scans the file for embedded C2PA manifest data. This happens instantly in your browser - your files are never uploaded to servers.
Step 3: Review Content Credentials
If C2PA data is found, you'll see detailed content credentials including validation status, author information, software used, and provenance history.
Step 4: Examine Manifest Details
View the complete C2PA manifest JSON to see all embedded metadata, action history, and content credentials in detail.
Understanding Your Content Credentials Verification Results
When you verify content credentials, you'll see several key indicators:
Valid Signature
The C2PA manifest signature is cryptographically valid and hasn't been tampered with.
Author Information
Displays the creator's identity from the signing certificate or credential.
Software Used
Shows which applications or tools were used to create or edit the content.
AI Generation
Indicates if AI tools were used in content creation, along with specific model information.
Action History
Timeline of all actions performed on the content, from creation to final edits.
What If No C2PA Data Is Found?
If the C2PA verify tool reports "No C2PA Data Found," it means:
- The file doesn't contain an embedded C2PA manifest
- The content wasn't created with C2PA-enabled software
- The file format doesn't support C2PA metadata
- The C2PA data may have been stripped during editing
This doesn't mean the content is inauthentic - it simply means no C2PA provenance data is available. Learn more about devices and software that support C2PA.
Best Practices for C2PA Content Verification
✓ Verify Original Files
Always verify C2PA content using the original file, not screenshots or re-saved copies, as these lose the embedded manifest data.
✓ Check Validation Status
Pay attention to validation errors or warnings. Valid signatures indicate unmodified content since signing.
✓ Review Action History
Examine the action history to understand the content's journey from creation to current state.
✓ Understand Browser Processing
Our tool processes files entirely in your browser for privacy - no file uploads to servers required.
Verify Content Credentials Now - Free Tool
Ready to verify content credentials? Use our free online content credentials verification tool to check digital authenticity and C2PA data instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about C2PA Viewer and content authenticity.
How do I verify content credentials?
To verify content credentials, upload your file to C2PA Viewer. The tool extracts and displays embedded C2PA data showing who created the content, what software was used, and whether it's been modified. Content credentials verification happens instantly in your browser with complete privacy - no server uploads required. Learn more about verifying content credentials.
What is C2PA Viewer?
C2PA Viewer is a free online tool for examining and verifying C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) data in digital files. It allows you to view the complete manifest output showing content authenticity information, as well as the raw manifest data in JSON format. The tool processes files entirely in your browser for privacy and security. Try it now.
How do I inspect C2PA metadata?
To inspect C2PA metadata, simply upload your file to our C2PA Viewer. The tool will extract and display the complete raw C2PA manifest in JSON format, including content credentials, action history, software used, AI generation markers, and cryptographic signatures. All inspection happens client-side in your browser with no server uploads required. Learn more about C2PA inspection.
What is C2PA Verify?
C2PA verify is the action of checking and validating C2PA manifest data to verify content credentials embedded in digital files. This verification process examines cryptographic signatures, confirms content credentials authenticity, and validates the provenance chain from creation to current state. It helps determine if content has been tampered with and reveals the content's provenance history.
What types of files can I verify?
C2PA Viewer currently supports JPEG and PNG images. We are actively working to expand our support for other file formats, including video and audio, in the near future.
Is my data secure?
Absolutely. We do not store your files. All processing happens in your browser, and your data never leaves your computer, ensuring complete privacy and security.
What does it mean if a file has no C2PA data?
The absence of C2PA data does not automatically mean a file is fake or has been tampered with. It simply means that its provenance has not been recorded using C2PA standards. This may be because the creation tool did not support C2PA or the feature was not enabled.