Adobe launches free app to secure digital content attribution

Adobe has introduced the public beta of its Content Authenticity app, offering digital creators a free tool to help secure attribution for their work.

The Content Authenticity app allows creators to apply Content Credentials, a secure form of metadata, to their digital content. These credentials enable creators to embed information about themselves and their work, serving as a digital signature similar to an artist signing traditional art forms.

"Creators have always deserved proper attribution for the powerful digital work they create. Their creations shape culture, drive engagement and fuel industries. But in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, especially with the rise of generative AI, creators need a modern solution that's tailored to the realities of this digital ecosystem. They need a tool that secures attribution, while supporting greater transparency, accountability and protection," Andy Parsons, Senior Director of Content Authenticity at Adobe, said.

The release of the app in public beta follows a period in private beta, during which Adobe collaborated with the creative community to refine features based on user experience and feedback.

One key aspect of the new platform includes durable metadata. Content Credentials remain attached to digital works even if they are copied or screenshotted, helping to maintain a traceable chain of attribution.

Adobe is collaborating with LinkedIn to integrate LinkedIn's Verified on LinkedIn feature into both the Content Authenticity app and its Behance platform. This integration allows creators to associate their verified identity with their work. As part of this initiative, LinkedIn is joining the Content Authenticity Initiative, a group of more than 4,500 members advocating for the broader adoption of Content Credentials.

"One thing we've heard consistently in our conversations with creators is that they struggle to secure proper attribution for their work online. The concerns highlight a critical gap: creators need a reliable way to verify their identities and receive credit for their work. Without this, creators risk losing control of their work, missing out on future opportunities, or, worse, having others use or profit from their work without their consent. To address this, we're excited to collaborate with LinkedIn to integrate its new 'Verified on LinkedIn' feature into the Content Authenticity app, as well as the Behance platform. This will give creators a way to attach their verified identity to their work. As an extension of this collaboration, LinkedIn has joined the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative as a member, joining over 4,500 members committed to driving the widespread adoption of Content Credentials," Parsons commented.

Among its features, the Content Authenticity app enables creators to choose what attribution information to attach, including their verified name and links to multiple social media accounts such as Behance, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. The app can batch-apply Content Credentials to up to 50 JPG or PNG files at the same time, with plans for support of additional media types—including video and audio—in the future.

The tool also introduces a Generative AI Training and Usage Preference feature, allowing creators to indicate whether they permit their work to be used for training AI models.

"With our Firefly family of models, we've taken the most creator-friendly approach to AI, training only on content we have permission to use. However, not all generative AI models follow this same approach, and we believe there's more the industry can do to support and protect creators. With the Generative AI Training and Usage Preference, creators can use Content Credentials to signal to other generative AI models that they don't want their content used for training, helping to lay the foundation for creator choice. Thanks to the durability of Adobe's Content Credentials, creators who note their training preference today via the app are well-positioned to have it recognised when global opt-out regulations take shape and as more companies start respecting creator preferences. Adobe is working closely with policymakers and industry partners to establish effective, creator-friendly opt-out mechanisms powered by Content Credentials," Parsons said.

For verification and record-keeping, creators and users can view associated Content Credentials and edit histories through a Google Chrome extension or the Inspect tool within the app.

Members of the creator community have voiced support for these new features.

"The Adobe Content Authenticity app is a game changer towards a more creator-friendly internet — giving artists peace of mind by enabling us to attach important information about ourselves via Content Credentials, ensuring my photos have secure attribution, wherever they travel online," Obi Nzeribe, fashion and commercial photographer, commented.

"This isn't just about protecting art — it's about protecting our shared reality. Invisible watermarks combined with secure metadata, unseen by the eye yet unmistakable to technology, are critical tools for preserving truth in an era of digital uncertainty." Benjamin Von Wong, artist and activist, added.

Adobe plans to further integrate the Content Authenticity app with Creative Cloud applications, such as Photoshop and Lightroom. This integration aims to provide creators with a centralised location to manage Content Credentials across Adobe's suite of tools.

In the near future, LinkedIn is expected to begin displaying attribution information from the Content Authenticity app directly, via a 'Cr' pin on its platform. This feature will allow users to hover over the pin to view detailed creator credentials, including their verified identity, supporting the ongoing effort to connect verification signals across platforms.