Google Makes Visible Watermarks Optional for Gemini Content

Google is giving users more control over Gemini-generated content by making visible watermarks optional. The company announced that users can now toggle off visible watermarks on images, videos, and music created with Gemini, while invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata remain embedded in the background.

The change is being rolled out over the next few days and applies to Gemini-generated content, although Google noted that visible watermarks will still be required in countries where displaying them is mandatory by law.

Josh Woodward, Google's vice president leading Gemini, AI Studio, and Google Labs, stated that the decision was made after user feedback indicated a strong desire for users to have more control over their content. Removing visible watermarks was among the most requested changes from a survey of Gemini complaints.

Woodward emphasized that turning off visible watermarks does not remove all provenance markers from Gemini creations. Invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata will continue to be embedded in the background, allowing content to still carry information indicating its AI origin even when the visible mark is removed.