Local image generators such as Stable Diffusion (AUTOMATIC1111, Forge), ComfyUI, NovelAI and InvokeAI store the prompt and settings as text chunks in the PNG file. The reader shows them. JPEG exports, screenshots and online services such as ChatGPT or Midjourney usually contain no such data.
Which tools store prompt data
| Tool | Field in the PNG file | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Stable Diffusion WebUI (AUTOMATIC1111), Forge | parameters | Prompt, negative prompt, steps, sampler, CFG, seed, model |
| ComfyUI | prompt, workflow | the whole node graph as JSON |
| NovelAI | Description, Comment | Prompt and settings as JSON |
| InvokeAI | invokeai_metadata | Prompt, model, seed |
Prompt data and AI labelling
A prompt found in a file is clear evidence that the image was created with AI. For retailers this means: whoever uses such images in a store is the deployer and must label them if they work as deep fakes (Article 50(4) AI Act). The labelling check tells you whether that applies.
Prompt data can also reveal more than you want to publish, such as internal model names. Check your files before publishing. Rather than deleting metadata, export cleanly with a program and set only the AI note (IPTC): our metadata tool writes it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read the prompt from a Midjourney or ChatGPT image?
Usually not. Online services do not store the prompt in the file. Some write other traces such as Content Credentials or the IPTC note, which the checker also shows.
Why does the reader find nothing in my PNG?
Text chunks are lost when the image is re-saved, compressed or exported as JPEG, and many platforms remove them on upload.
Are my images uploaded?
No. The file is read only in your browser.
Do I need to label an AI image with prompt data in my store?
If it works as a deep fake, yes: it shows something that looks real but does not exist like that (Article 3(60), Article 50(4) AI Act). Clearly fantastical or cartoon images are generally not covered under the guidelines.
Sources
All sources read in full. Paragraph numbers (para.) refer to the European Commission's guidelines on Article 50, C(2026) 5054.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act)EUR-Lex · Law · 12 Jul 2024
- Commission Guidelines on the transparency obligations under Article 50 AI Act, C(2026) 5054 finalEuropäische Kommission · Commission · 20 Jul 2026
- IPTC NewsCodes: Digital Source TypeIPTC · Standard · 23 Oct 2024
Not legal advice. This content explains the law based on primary sources; it does not replace an assessment of your individual case.
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