We’ve all been there. You see a picture that’s so good, you just have to share it with your friends or buy the item. But before you hit that share or buy button, ask yourself this: could this picture be fake? In the age of the internet, it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s real and what’s been Photoshopped. Here are a few examples of recent viral pictures that turned out to be fake.
Plants that Do Not Exist
Changing colors of plants is a popular scam with pictures. Many are selling seeds and shipping from overseas. You may actually get some seeds, but they will not be as advertised and may be an invasive species. All these are fake plants that have been photoshopped and do not exist.
The Loch Ness Monster…or a Log?
In 2016, a grainy picture of the Loch Ness Monster supposedly surfaced online. The image, which was taken from a boat, showed a large creature swimming through the water. But upon closer inspection, skeptics pointed out that the supposed monster looked an awful lot like…a log. Sorry, Nessie fans! This one’s a fake.
A Giant Spider Invasion…or Just Some Photoshop Skillz?
In 2013, reports began circulating online about a massive spider invasion in Texas. Supposedly, these arachnids were so big they could kill human beings. The only problem? The pictures of these supposedly deadly spiders were later revealed to be doctored images of regular-sized spiders. So if you’re ever in Texas and see a spider the size of a small child, don’t worry—it’s not real!
The Giant Bunny…or Another Ad?
Perhaps the most famous example of a fake viral picture is the so-called “giant bunny.” This image, which originally circulated as an ad for Easter candy, shows an absolutely massive rabbit sitting in a living room. While there are such things as giant rabbits (they’re called Flemish Giants), the bunny in this picture is almost certainly not one of them. If you want to see a real giant rabbit, head to your local pet store—but don’t believe everything you see online!
Fake pictures are becoming more and more common on the internet. So next time you see an incredible picture online, think twice before you hit that share button! Chances are, it might not be as amazing as it seems.