Reverse Image Search: Discover the Secrets Behind Every Picture!
Image search is an incredible feature available on many search engines. But what if you want to reverse image search? What if you have a picture and need to learn more about it or find its origin?
Text search won’t always give you accurate or satisfying results. Instead, you need to drop the image into the search bar and search with the image itself. But is that possible? Yes, it is!
- Google offers this feature as “Reverse Image Search.”
- Bing calls it “Visual Search.”
Here in this guide, we’ve given a comprehensive rundown of what is reverse image search. How to do reverse image search on Mobile and Desktop? Why do we need it? And what other tools offer this function? So, keep reading to learn more.
What is Reverse Image Search?
Reverse image search uses an image to search for the results instead of a text. Both Google and Bing support this function, or you can also use some third-party services for reverse image search.
Mainly, this search is performed to look for a similar item, check the product’s origin, and see if there’s any plagiarism in the content.
Google’s reverse image search is compatible to both desktop and mobile phones. And it’s free. You can perform as many reverse image searches as you like in a day. And the feature is relatively easy to access as well.
Just open Google > navigate to the camera icon on the integrated search bar > and search with the image. Easy-peasy.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to reverse image search on mobile and desktop.
1. Reverse Image Search on Mobile: Using Google
Google introduced its reverse image search on mobile phones and tablets with a few limitations. For instance, you can’t search with an image URL like on a desktop.
However, it’s still a quick and handy feature. Follow these steps to do a reverse image search on your iOS or Android using Google.
Note: You must have the Google app or Google Chrome on your phone to start.
Use any of the three options below for a reverse image search on Android and iOS.
i. Search with an Image from Files
Here’s how to do that:
- Open Google Chrome
- Click on the camera icon at the very right of the Google search bar
- A pop-up will appear asking permission for Google to access your camera and gallery.
- Give access
- Once you do that, images from your gallery and camera roll will appear at the bottom. Select from them.
- Once you’ve selected a specific picture, Google will start generating relevant image results.
- Google also offers you the ability to select different items from the image. So, either it’s a text or a shirt you’d like to search for. It will allow you to do so.
ii. Search with an Image taken on the Phone
Now, this option is for when you want to instantly look for something in front of you, whether it’s a product or a dog breed you’d like to know more about. Google’s reverse image search will allow you to take a picture on the spot and search for it.
Here’s how to do that:
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the camera icon
- Now, click on the screen saying, “Search with your camera.”
- Google will allow you to take a picture instantly and search for the relevant results
- If your picture is a product, you will instantly find its source so you can shop. And if it’s something else, you will find similar or relevant results alongside more information about that picture.
iii. Search Images from the Search Results
Find an image of a laptop keyboard and pen holder cup? Use Google reverse image search to get details and discover similar items instantly.
- Click on the picture you want to know more about.
- Or search for a picture on Google Images.
- Then, click on it to open it.
- Click on the camera icon at the left corner of the image.
- Google will show you more results related to the image.
(The reverse image search method is the same whether you’re using an iOS or Android device)
2. Reverse Image Search on Desktop: Using Google
Reverse image search on the desktop is a breeze. It allows you to search for an image with an image URL as well. Now, here’s how to do a reverse image search on Windows and Mac.
To start, you have to download or access the Google homepage. Then, use any of the two methods mentioned below for the desktop reverse image search.
I. Search with an Image from Files (Desktop)
- Open Google Desktop (images.google.com)
- Click on the camera icon for Google reverse image search on the desktop
- Now either select a picture from your files or drag and drop it into the “drop your image here” section
- Now, once you’ve chosen an image, Google will generate relevant results for you
ii. Search with a URL
Google also allows you to search reverse images using an image URL. This is for when you find a helpful image on a website, but its original source is not given.
You can copy its URL and search for it on Google reverse image search. You’ll likely find the original source of the image or the original image.
Now, here’s how you perform this desktop image search with Google Chrome.
- Open Google Desktop
- Click on the camera icon
- There’s an option at the bottom to drop your image URL; paste the URL there
- The desktop will populate with relevant results
Visual Search on Mobile and Desktop
Bing, being another big search engine, also offers the reverse image search function on mobile and desktop. However, this function at Bing is called “Visual Search.”
Now, here’s how to use Bing visual search on smartphones and desktops:
1. Reverse Image Search on Mobile: Using Bing
- To begin with, you must first download the Bing app or open the Bing browser.
- Now click on the camera icon
- Give permission to Bing to access your photo library and your camera roll
- Now tap the “browse” button at the bottom left of the screen
- Three options will pop up.
- Photo Library, Take Photo, Browse
- Now, pick an option as per your convenience
- Select an image, and Bing’s visual search will find you relevant results
- You can even chat with the Copilot about what you see on your camera
Note: If you select “Browse,” it will let you choose an image from the third-party services Google Drive, iCloud Drive, and Dropbox.
2. Reverse Image Search on Desktop: Using Bing
You can access Bing through any available browser, whether you’re using Mac or Windows. Then, for the reverse image search or the visual search, follow these steps:
- Open Bing
- Navigate the camera icon
- Click on it and either select an image from your image library or drop the image URL in its given section
- Bing will offer multiple relevant options for you
Note: The latest Bing app also allows you to click a picture at the spot, scan a QR code, and solve math problems.
Main Reasons for Using Reverse Image Search
Well, there could be three main reasons for a reverse image search, which are listed below.
1. Learn More About an Object
Reverse image search was primarily invented to help users learn about objects. When you encounter an object or text in an image that you cannot identify or describe with words, a reverse image search can be incredibly useful. Simply upload the image using the camera icon in the search bar, and you will find numerous sources and similar images providing information about the object or text.
Google also offers the ability to select specific items within an image. This feature is particularly useful for translating signs or unfamiliar text. By selecting the text in the image, Google will translate it and offer more information from its extensive database.
2. Check for Image Theft
Reverse image search is a valuable tool for checking if someone has used your images without permission, which is especially important for bloggers and website owners. By performing a reverse image search, you can verify if your images have been used elsewhere without credit or a backlink.
Additionally, you can ensure the authenticity of your content by linking to the original source of an image. This practice enhances the credibility of your work and allows you to check for plagiarism. You can also use this tool to see if someone is impersonating you or spreading false information about you, and then request Google to remove the content.
3. Find an Image’s Source
Another key use of reverse image search is finding the original source of an image. This can be helpful for shopping for authentic products or finding affordable alternatives. By uploading the image and selecting the “Find image source” option, your search engine will display relevant images and the original source.
This feature also helps you give proper credit to the original source of an image, avoiding potential copyright infringement issues.
4. Scanning QR Codes or Barcodes
With technological advancements, many restaurant menus and bills are now accessible through QR codes and barcodes. Google Lens allows you to easily scan these codes with your camera to view menus or pay bills directly from your device.
Third-Party Reverse Image Search Engines and Apps
Besides Google and Bing, many other third-party tools let you reverse image search. These tools either have been launched recently, or they have been there for long
In any case, they’re doing their job just right. And they function more or less similar to Google. However, they’re exclusively made for reverse image search, and some of them might not work directly with your smartphones or the default browsers.
Hereunder, we’ve enlisted some of the best third-party reverse image search tools for you.
TinEye was launched back in 2008 and is probably the first reverse image search engine. It lets you search for an image by using the URL, drag and drop feature, and by uploading the picture on the desktop.
And using TinEye on mobile phones is even simpler. Just click on the “Upload” button, and you can upload an image in three different ways, similar to Google.
Pixsy is another reverse image search engine that lets you take control of your content. It helps you find out if someone has stolen your original image without giving credit.
All you have to do is create an account with Pixsy, import the image you’d like to reverse search and click on it to find more information about it. Pixsy will present to you if there’s an image match found or will lead you to the source of the image.
Pixy also offers this extra feature to take action against the image. By clicking on any image match, you will be presented with three different options:
- Approve the image use
- Send a takedown request
- Or report the unauthorized use of the image to Pixsy
CamFind is a free app that is compatible with both Android and iOS. It lets you take a snap of the object immediately and search for similar products on the internet. It’s a very useful app when it comes to price comparison and finding a cheaper version of something.
Photo Sherlock is another golden find of ours. And though its website version works just fine, there’s an app for it as well. Best part? It’s free for both Android and iOS. And it works pretty much like Google and Bing.
Not only that, the app also promises a full search from Google and Bing results. And you can load images from just any app, even the dating apps. So, you can cross-check on a person you swiped right to confirm they’re not catfishing.
FAQs: How to Do a Reverse Image Search on Mobile and Desktop
A reverse image search allows you to use an image as the query to find related information, similar images, or websites where the image appears, instead of using text-based keywords.
Yes, there are several apps available for reverse image search on mobile devices, including:
- "Photosherlock"
- "Search by Image"
- "CamFind"
Yes, reverse image search can help you trace the origin of an image by showing you websites where the image appears, as well as similar images and related information.
Yes, you can perform a reverse image search on most modern web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Simply visit the respective websites like Google Images, Bing Visual Search, or TinEye to use the feature.
The process is largely similar on both mobile and desktop, but on mobile devices, you may need to use specific apps or mobile-friendly websites. Desktop searches often offer a slightly more robust experience with more options for uploading images and viewing detailed results.
