When to use it
A video is tied to a date or location claim. You want to check frames, older uploads, and context clues.
Back to workflows
Video workflow
Verify a video or clip.
A workflow for checking frames, older uploads, audio/context clues, and event timing.
Passive and safe research workflow
What you get
Video verification note, frame evidence, source chain, and confidence label.
Safety boundary
This workflow is not for exploitation, probing, or unauthorized scanning. It reads public records, records dates and uncertainty, and avoids turning signals into final claims.
Simple order
Work through the steps in order.
Extract key frames
Choose clear frames with landmarks, signs, or unique visual clues.
Check: Frames are tied back to the original clip.
Search older copies
Search frames, captions, and distinct phrases.
Check: Older uploads are recorded with date.
Check place and time clues
Compare maps, weather, shadows, language, and surroundings.
Check: Visual match is not the only proof.
Write a limited result
State what the video supports and what it does not prove.
Check: The report avoids operational or personal harm.
Real tools to open
Report language
The clip is assessed through frames, source chain, and context; the attached claim remains limited by available evidence.
Move to evidence notesSources
Start with these sources.
Bellingcat Geolocation How-To Guides
Video verification
Use to break a video into checkable frames, dates, sources, and location clues.
Open sourceBellingcat Online Investigation Toolkit
Verification and fact-checking
Use to separate claim, source, evidence, and interpretation.
Open sourceGoogle Earth
Location and map verification
Use to compare visible clues with maps, terrain, sun position, and street-level imagery.
Open sourceGoogle Fact Check Explorer
Verification and fact-checking
Use to separate claim, source, evidence, and interpretation.
Open sourceGoogle Maps
Location and map verification
Use to compare visible clues with maps, terrain, sun position, and street-level imagery.
Open sourceInternational Fact-Checking Network
Verification and fact-checking
Use to separate claim, source, evidence, and interpretation.
Open source