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How to Do a Reverse Image Search on Google
Searching on Google using text is familiar to most of us, but did you know you can also search using an image? Google’s reverse image search feature allows you to search their vast database using a picture instead of keywords. This powerful tool lets you:
- Find the original source of an image
- Discover where an image appears online
- Locate similar images
- Uncover more information about what is shown in a photo
Reverse image search has many applications, from attributing an image to its rightful creator to fact-checking the origin and legitimacy of a photo. While not infallible, it’s a valuable tool to have at your disposal. Here’s how you can perform a Google reverse image search on your PC or mobile device. We will also guide you on how to perform reverse image searches using a variety of methods and tools, including Google and Bing, on both desktop and mobile platforms.
How to do a reverse image search on PC
Searching by image on your desktop or laptop computer provides the most flexibility. You can easily upload photos from your hard drive or specify an image URL. To get started:
- Go to images.google.com
- Click the camera icon in the search bar
- Choose how you want to search:
- Paste the URL of an image
- Upload an image from your computer
- Drag and drop an image into the search box
Additionally, you can use the ‘paste image link’ function by copying the image address and pasting it in the search bar to find related results.
Search by image URL
If you’ve come across an image on a webpage that you want to reverse search, you don’t even need to download it first. Just right-click the photo and select “Copy image address”. Then paste that URL into the Google Images search box. This will generate image search results, allowing you to explore similar images or obtain more information about the picture’s content.
This method works well on most websites, but may have some issues with user-generated content sites and social media networks. Google can have a harder time pinpointing the original source in those cases. However, it’s still worth trying as a first step.
Upload an image
Have a photo already downloaded that you want to search? Click the “Upload an image” tab, then the “Choose file” button. Find the image on your hard drive and select “Open”. Google will then show its results of visually similar images, as well as websites where the exact photo appears. This can help you track down the origins of an image or find higher resolution versions.
Drag and drop
Dragging and dropping an image is perhaps the quickest way to search. Simply find the photo file on your computer, then click and drag it over to the Google Images search box. Release your mouse and Google will immediately begin analyzing the picture and generating results. This can save time compared to uploading a file through the traditional dialog box.
Google reverse image search on iPhone and Android
You don’t need a computer to do a reverse photo lookup - it works on your smartphone too. The Google app for iOS and Android has this functionality built-in, accessible through the Google Lens icon.
- Open the Google app on your iPhone or Android device
- Tap the Lens camera icon to the right of the search box
- Take or upload a photo to use for your search:
- To snap a new photo, tap the camera icon
- To choose an existing image from your gallery, tap the photo icon
- Select the area of the image you want to search by adjusting the box around the relevant section, then tap the magnifying glass icon
- Swipe up to see the search results, which can include similar images, locations where the photo appears, and relevant web results about the image subject
The Google app also lets you quickly do a reverse image search on any photo you find while browsing online. If you come across a picture you want to look up, just tap and hold on it. A pop-up menu will appear - select “Search with Google Lens” to see details about the photo such as its origin, where else it appears, and related images.
Searching with Google Lens can also provide contextual information about objects in an image. So in addition to finding a photo online, Lens may be able to identify products, landmarks, plants, animals, and text that appear in the picture. This can be a very useful tool for learning more about the contents of any image you encounter.
Search for your own face or a similar person
A fascinating use of reverse photo search is finding pictures of yourself that you may not have been aware of online. It’s also a way to potentially locate photos of someone who looks very similar to you.
To try this, use a clear, straight-on photo of your face with no obstructions like sunglasses or masks. Upload the image to Google as explained above and see if any matching results come back. You may be surprised at what you discover! Of course, the same process could be used to look up someone else’s photo as well, but be aware of potential privacy concerns.
The facial recognition algorithms behind reverse image search are powerful but not perfect. They are more likely to find exact matches than similar-looking people. And photos on some social media sites like Facebook may not be indexed and searchable on Google. So while you can certainly find photos of yourself or others this way, don’t expect it to be exhaustive.
Tips for successful reverse image searches
When performing a reverse photo search, follow these tips to improve your chances of getting relevant results:
- Use the highest quality image available - the larger and clearer the better
- For product searches, find photos showing the item clearly with minimal background clutter
- Crop the image to focus on the key subject or area you want to search for
- When searching for a face, use a clear, frontal, well-lit photo with no obstructions
Remember, even with these optimizations, reverse image search is not infallible. You won’t always find a definitive source or similar images, especially for more obscure or modified pictures. But it remains a powerful tool to have at your disposal, whether you’re fact-checking an image, searching for its origins, or just curious to see where a photo appears online.
Find your perfect PC for photo editing and searches
Working with images, either searching or editing them, is a lot easier with the right hardware. For all your computing needs, HP® has a great selection of powerful desktops and laptops to choose from. Here are a few top picks well-suited for image-related tasks:
- HP ENVY 17T Laptop
- Large 17.3" diagonal FHD touchscreen
- 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor
- 16 GB memory and 512 GB SSD storage
- HP ENVY Desktop TE01
- 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 graphics card
- 16 GB memory and 1 TB SSD storage
- HP Spectre x360 15T 2-in-1 Laptop
- 15.6" diagonal 4K UHD touchscreen with 3840 x 2160 resolution
- 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor
- 16 GB memory and 512 GB SSD
Ready to upgrade your photo editing game? Shop HP’s full assortment of laptops and desktops, all with free shipping and easy returns. With the perfect machine for your needs, you’ll be able to take your image searches and editing to the next level.
About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
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