Google is giving users more control over how its AI-generated content looks by allowing them to remove visible watermarks from images, videos and music, while keeping behind-the-scenes technology that can identify AI-generated media.
The change means users of Google’s AI tools will no longer always have to display a visible watermark on content they create.
The first major change applies to images generated using Google’s Nano Banana image-generation technology. The visible watermark, which appears in the bottom-right corner of generated images, can now be removed through a new setting.
The option is being introduced in Gemini and Flow, while Google plans to bring the same feature to AI Mode in Google Search in the near future.
Watermarks can also disappear from videos and music
Google’s move is not limited to images.
Users will also be able to remove visible watermarks from videos created with Gemini Omni and songs generated using Lyria.
However, there is one important exception: visible watermarks will remain in countries where displaying them is required by law.
The decision gives creators more freedom to use AI-generated content without having an obvious watermark attached to it.
Google is not removing AI identification
Although the visible watermark can be switched off, Google says the technology used to identify AI-generated content will remain in place.
The company will continue using SynthID, its invisible watermarking system, along with C2PA metadata.
Unlike a visible watermark, these systems are designed to work in the background and provide information about where digital content came from.
This means removing the visible mark does not necessarily make AI-generated content impossible to identify.
Gemini can still identify AI-generated images
Google says users will still be able to ask Gemini whether an image was created using AI.
If Gemini determines that the image was generated by an AI system, it can provide that information even when the visible watermark has been removed.
That could become increasingly important as AI-generated photos, videos and music become harder to distinguish from content created by humans.
A balance between cleaner content and transparency
Google’s latest move reflects a growing challenge for the AI industry.
Creators often want AI-generated images and videos to look clean and professional without visible marks, while platforms, researchers and users still need ways to determine whether digital content was created or altered by AI.
By making visible watermarks optional while retaining invisible identification technologies, Google is attempting to address both concerns.
For users, the change means more control over the appearance of AI-generated content. For Google, it maintains a way to preserve information about the content’s AI origin even when the visible watermark is gone.
