Google Allows Users to Remove Visible AI Watermarks

Google announced on August 14, 2026, that users can now remove visible watermarks from AI-generated images, videos, and songs. The update introduces a Media watermark toggle within Gemini and the AI video editor Flow, with support for Search expected soon. This setting specifically removes the sparkle watermark from content produced by the Nano Banana, Omni, and Lyria models.

To maintain transparency, the company will continue to embed invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA standard-related metadata. These tools allow users to verify the AI origins of content through Gemini or Search. The toggle will remain unavailable in countries where visible watermarks are legally mandated.

As part of the update, Google is open-sourcing Credentio, a library that allows developers to integrate local validation mechanisms into their own applications. Josh Woodward, Vice President for Gemini, Google Labs, and AI Studio, stated that the move aims to strike a balance between creative control and safety.