As generative AI advances, the signs of AI-generated media are becoming harder to detect. The line between what’s real and what’s fabricated continues to blur.

In 2024, a new deepfake attempt was created every five minutes, resulting in a 244% increase in digital forgeries in just one year. Nearly one in four people encountered a deepfake scam online, and of those, 9% fell victim.

This quick reference guide highlights eight key warning signs that something might be an AI-generated deepfake to help you avoid the trap of disinformation and confidently spot potential fakes.

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‍Warning signs of deepfakes

1. Unnatural pauses or silences

Awkward pauses are often one of the first giveaways in a deepfake. Because the fake voice is generated in real time, you might notice elongated silences, strange pacing, or sudden breaks in conversation. If a voice sounds slightly “off,” with an odd tone, rhythm, or accent, trust your instincts that if it sounds strange, it is strange.

2. Manufactured urgency

Scammers increasingly use deepfakes to trigger panic or emotional reactions. For example, in some scams, they often pretend to be a loved one, coworker, or authority figure in distress. If someone pressures you to act fast or share personal or financial information, stop and verify the source through another trusted channel. Real emergencies rarely demand instant digital compliance.

3. Visual glitches

Even the most advanced video deepfakes can slip up. Look for inconsistencies in lighting, blurring around edges, or obscure visual effects on faces and backgrounds. These glitches can break the realistic illusion and immediately tattle on the video being AI-generated.

4. Questionable sources

Before you react or share, check where the content came from. Did a verified account post it? Is it being shared out of context? Deepfakes often circulate under fake profiles or accounts impersonating real people or brands. A quick source check can make all the difference.

5. Odd audio details

Audio deepfakes can sound strangely polished yet slightly odd. Listen for an uneven sentence flow, mismatched tone, strange vocal inflections, or unnatural background noises or echoing. These subtle inconsistencies in pitch or phrasing are often the fingerprints of AI generation.

6. Stiff or unnatural movement

Deepfakes still struggle to fully replicate natural human motion. Keep an eye out for unusual blinking patterns, jerky gestures, or lip movements that don’t quite match the words. Minor motion mismatches are often a giveaway of a deepfake.

7. Inconsistent image details

Take a closer look when something feels strange in a photo or frame. Lighting may not align across the image, skin texture might shift between shots, or hands, wrinkles, and backgrounds might look distorted or oddly smoothed over. These visual seams often betray an AI-generated image.

8. Low-quality video

Deepfakes often rely on compression and lower resolution to hide flaws. If a video looks suspiciously grainy, lacks facial detail, or stays mostly front-facing, try viewing it at the highest quality possible. The clearer the image, the easier it is to spot what’s fake.

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All in all

As generative AI advances, deepfakes are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. The goal isn’t to memorize every new example, but to stay curious, skeptical, and alert to subtle signs that reveal what’s real and what’s not. Keep this checklist handy as a quick reference whenever something online feels off.

Looking for the latest on how deepfakes are evolving and the risks they pose? Read our updated guide here.

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