Labelling AI Images on LinkedIn: Why the Label Belongs in the Image Itself

If you share an AI image from WordPress on LinkedIn, you cannot rely on the label in the image metadata arriving there. The only label that reliably stays visible is one inside the image itself. That is why, since version 1.12.0, Social Publisher uploads AI-labelled images to LinkedIn with the label burned in, when IMG Performer PRO is installed and licensed.

We make both plugins. Here is why we connected them and what exactly happens.

When LinkedIn labels AI images itself

LinkedIn shows a small “CR” icon on images that are cryptographically signed with C2PA Content Credentials. Clicking it shows, among other things, whether AI was involved (LinkedIn Help: Content credentials). LinkedIn does not detect AI images itself; it only reads this signed data.

Why the data gets lost on the way

• WordPress creates new image files: WordPress scales down large images on upload, and the generated sizes lack the C2PA data (more at IMG Performer). If you share such an image, no signature reaches LinkedIn.
• Editing breaks the signature: Cropping, retouching or taking a screenshot creates a new file without the original Content Credentials.
• Custom labels are not signed: A label in the IPTC field “Digital Source Type”, as IMG Performer writes into images, is machine-readable but not a signed C2PA manifest. The “CR” icon does not appear for it.

On your own website, IMG Performer solves this with a visible label on top of the image. That label cannot travel to LinkedIn, because only the image file arrives there.

The solution: burn the label into the pixels

IMG Performer PRO can burn the configured AI label directly into a copy of the image. Social Publisher uses this automatically:

1. You choose a LinkedIn image in the post as usual.
2. If the image is classified as AI-generated or AI-modified in the media library, Social Publisher requests the labelled version from IMG Performer PRO when uploading.
3. IMG Performer creates a copy with the label burned in. Social Publisher uploads this copy to LinkedIn.

The original file in the media library stays unchanged. If the image is not classified as AI or IMG Performer PRO is not active, Social Publisher uploads the image without a label as before.

What the EU AI Act requires

Article 50 of the AI Act has applied since 2 August 2026 and splits the obligations between two roles (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, Article 50 explained):

• Providers of AI systems such as image generators must mark their outputs as AI-generated in a machine-readable way (para. 2).
• Anyone who publishes a deepfake, meaning a realistic depiction of people, places or events, must disclose that it was artificially generated or manipulated (para. 4). For evidently artistic or satirical works, a label that does not hamper the display is enough.

So not every AI image needs a visible label. For company posts with realistic AI images, a visible label in the image is the safe choice. A detailed overview is in the guide Label AI images under the EU AI Act. This article is not legal advice.

What you need

• Social Publisher version 1.12.0 or later (the free version is enough).
• IMG Performer with an active PRO license.
• The LinkedIn image is classified as AI-generated or AI-modified in the media library. IMG Performer suggests the classification on upload, and you can correct it per image.