Guide
Photo Metadata Explained: EXIF, GPS, XMP and IPTC
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026
Metadata is information stored alongside pixels
Metadata describes a file; it is not the same as the visible photograph. Cameras and editing software may write it during capture, import or export. An image can have metadata without a privacy issue, but location and device information are worth checking before sharing an original.
Common metadata families
EXIF commonly records capture and camera settings. XMP is an extensible format often used by editing applications. IPTC can carry descriptive and rights information. A single file may contain one, several, or none of these forms.
- • GPS fields can store coordinates when geotagging is enabled
- • Date and time fields can describe capture, creation or modification
- • Maker notes and proprietary fields may not be portable or readable by every tool
Metadata is not a redaction tool
Removing supported embedded fields does not change what viewers can see. Check the image itself for people, addresses, documents, reflections and other context before sharing.