Buzz
Utilizing Google, Bing, and TinEye reverse image search to trace the origin of an image.
This comprehensive article by Mytour instructs you on how to explore the web by uploading an image to search engines like Google Image Search, TinEye, or Bing Visual Search. Image searching enables you to uncover where the image is used online and discover visually similar images. This is particularly useful when seeking a higher resolution version of an image or determining its online provenance.
Key Points to Remember
- Perform a Google image search on your mobile device by long-pressing an image and selecting 'Search Image with Google Lens'
- You can download an image to your computer and simply drag and drop it into Google or Bing for reverse image searching.
- Copy the URL of an image and paste it into Google Image or Bing Visual Search for reverse image searching.
- Visit https://www.tineye.com and upload a saved image (or paste a copied URL) to reverse image search it.
Steps to Follow
Utilizing Google Image Search on a Smartphone or Tablet
Launch Google Chrome. The Google Chrome mobile application includes a feature enabling you to conduct image searches via Google Image Search. If Chrome isn't installed, download it for free from the App Store or Play Store.
- If the image you wish to search is stored on your device, employ http://reverse.photos, a platform facilitating uploads to Google Image Search. Access the site, sign in with Google, tap UPLOAD, choose your image, and tap SHOW MATCHES.
Access a webpage featuring the image you intend to search for. You can initiate a search by entering keywords in the search bar or navigating directly to your desired site.
Press and hold the image. A contextual menu will appear.
Select Search Image with Google Lens. Employ Google Lens to conduct searches based on various parameters. Opt for 'Shopping' to find relevant products or 'Places' for pertinent locations. Alternatively, select the default Search and tap the magnifying glass icon to open a new Chrome tab showcasing all Google search results for the chosen image.
Review the search outcomes. The image's particulars will be shown at the page's top, with potential matches listed below. If the precise image isn't located, visually similar images will be displayed.
- To locate other versions of the same image, click on 'MORE SIZES' at the top of the results page.
Utilizing Google Image Search on a Desktop Computer
Locate the image you wish to search for. If you haven't already saved the picture to your computer, you can do so now. You can also search for a picture of yourself! Alternatively, if you prefer not to download anything, simply copy the full image address online.
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To download: Right-click on an image (or Ctrl + click on a Mac), then choose Save Image As (the wording may differ depending on your browser). Follow the on-screen instructions to name and save the file.
- Depending on the website and your browser, you may need to select Open image in new tab or View Background Image first.
- To copy the URL: Right-click on the image (or Ctrl + click on a Mac), then select Copy image location or Copy image address.
Go to https://www.google.com/imghp?sbi=1. This serves as the official Google Images page.
- You can drag and drop any locally saved photo into the traditional Google search field, and Google will automatically use Google Lens for image searching. To search by image URL, you must use the Google Images site.
Click on the camera icon and either upload the image or provide its URL.
- If the image is stored on your computer, you can simply drag and drop it. Alternatively:
- Click on the Upload an image tab.
- Click on Choose File.
- Select the image and click Open. Google will then automatically present matching search results.
- If the image is online:
- Click on the Paste image URL tab.
- Right-click on the blank space (or Ctrl + click on a Mac).
- Click on Paste.
- Click on Search by image to view results.
Review the search outcomes. Image details will be displayed at the page's top, with all potential matches listed below. If the exact image isn't found, visually similar images will be shown.
Using Bing Visual Search
Locate the image you wish to search for. You can upload any image to Bing Visual Search to discover where else it's available online. If the image isn't already saved to your device, download it now or copy its URL to your clipboard.
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To download: Right-click/Ctrl + click or long-tap an image, then select Save Image As (the text may vary by browser). Follow the on-screen instructions to name and save the file.
- Depending on the site and your browser, you may need to select Open image in new tab or View Background Image first.
- To copy the URL: Right-click/Ctrl + click or long-tap the image, then select Copy image location/address or Copy image.
Go to https://www.bing.com/images. This will take you to Bing's image search site.
Upload the image or provide its URL. The process varies depending on your device:
- If the image is on your computer:
- Click the camera icon in the search bar.
- Click browse under 'Drag an image here or browse.' Alternatively, simply drag your image to the corresponding field.
- Select the image and click Open. The image will be uploaded and search results will appear.
- If the image is on your phone or tablet:
- Tap the camera icon (and select Continue if prompted).
- Locate the photo and select it. The image will be uploaded and results will be displayed.
- If the image is online:
- Computer: Click the camera icon at the top of the screen and click Paste image or URL. Right-click (or Ctrl + click on a Mac) the blank space and select Paste to view results.
- Phone or tablet: Tap and hold the blank space at the top of the screen, select Paste, then tap the magnifying glass to view results.
Review the results. Click any of the links to see instances of the image, or click on an image under 'Similar images' or 'Related images' for alternatives.
Using TinEye
Locate the image you want to search for. You can upload any image to TinEye to find where else it's available online. If you haven't saved the photo, you can do so now. Alternatively, if you prefer not to download anything, you can simply copy the full image address online. Here's how to download the image or find its URL:
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To download: Right-click/Ctrl + click or long-tap an image, then select Save Image As (the text may vary by browser). Follow the on-screen instructions to name and save the file.
- Depending on the site and your browser, you may need to select Open image in new tab or View Background Image first.
- To copy the URL: Right-click/Ctrl + click or long-tap the image, then select Copy image location/address or Copy image.
Visit https://www.tineye.com in your web browser.
- TinEye is also available as an extension on most popular browsers. Go to https://tineye.com/extensions to add it as an extension to your preferred browser.
Upload the image or provide its URL.
- If the image is on your computer, phone, or tablet:
- Click the arrow next to the search bar.
- Select the image (and click Open if you're on a computer).
- If the image is online:
- Right-click/Ctrl + click or long-tap the blank space next to 'Upload or enter Image URL'.
- Click Paste.
- Click the magnifying glass to initiate the search.
Review the results. You'll be presented with the number of instances the exact image was found on the internet, followed by a list of matches. If the image isn't found, no results will be displayed.
