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How To Do a Reverse Image Search on Google

You can use Google reverse image search to know the origin of an image, the exact date they uploaded it on the internet, similar images, websites with that or similar images as that, etc. Or rather, use it as a search tool as opposed to when you use keywords on the search box.

There are many other tools that you can use for reverse image search but Google is the most used because it is free and has an extensive database. And, the best thing is that you can easily search with any of your favorite devices and browsers (not just Google or Chrome).

What is Google Reverse Image Search and How Does It Work

Google reverse image search is a type of search that allows you to find more information about an image. This means instead of typing words in the search box, you place an image or a link to an image in the search bar.

Google then pulls up any available information about that image on the web. This includes all the websites with this image and other similar images. It also reads the subject of your image and pulls up all related websites.

How Useful Is Google Image Search

If you are searching for an image of a person, Google will pull up websites with the same image or similar images. This means you then have multiple results to sort through. You can find names, places, workplaces, positions at workplaces, email addresses, physical addresses, social media profiles, and more.

It basically acts as a blueprint for finding more information about an image.

Check out how to do a Google reverse image search on your iPhone, Android, and laptop below;

Google Reverse Image Search On Laptop

Google Reverse Image Search

Google reverse image search is compatible with multiple browsers on your laptop or computer including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. And, there are 5 ways you can go about it;

Step 1: Upload an Image

  1. Open your browser
  2. Search Google images
  3. Beside the search bar, tap the camera icon to allow the search by image or use this URL: https://images.google.com/.
  4. There are three options in the next window; upload an image, browse, and choose a file, hit upload an image.
  5. This will open files in your computer for you to choose an image you want to search
  6. Choose the image and sort through the results

Step 2: Drag and Drop an Image

For this, you can only use Chrome and/or Firefox;

  1. Open your browser
Google Image Search
  1. Go to Google images and click the camera icon as shown above
  2. Open a file and choose a picture
  3. Press down the picture and drag it and drop into the search box

Step 3: Search with a URL

  1. Open your browser on your laptop or computer and type in the site you are getting your image from
Google Image Search
  1. Copy the image address (just right-click on the image and click copy image address)
  1. Go back and type Google Images
  2. Click the camera icon to search by image
  3. Paste the image URL in the text box
Google Image Search
  1. Then hit “search by image” and scroll down for results

Step 4: Search with an image from the Website

This is a faster and easier route than searching with a URL;

  1. Open your browser
  2. type the name of the website you are getting your image from
Google Image Search
  1. Instead of copying the URL, right-click on the image and choose “Search Google for image”
Google Image Search
  1. A new window will open with results
Google Image Search

Step 5: Search with an image from the Google Search Results

  1. Open your browser
  2. Type the name of your image in the search box and click on “Images
Google Image Search
  1. You can scroll down to explore the image or hit the little camera icon on the left side of the search box to upload or drag-and-drop or paste the URL of your image in the box
Google Image Search
Google Image Search
  1. Hit “Visually search this image”

Google Reverse Image Search on iPhone/ iPad

You need an updated version of Google (latest version), Chrome, or the latest Safari version (11 and up). Follow this guide to search for an image from search results or an image from your device;

1. From search results

  1. Open your browser
  2. Go to images.google.com
  3. Click on the image
  4. Hit “visually search this image”

2. Search with an image from your iPhone/iPad

  1. Open your Google/ Chrome browser
  2. Tap Google lens or the little camera icon beside the search bar
  3. You can then upload an image saved on your device or take a new photo to use (simply point your camera to an object and tap search to take a photo, or tap the photo picker, an image or pictures icon, to choose an existing image from your files.
  4. There are two different ways to search; choose the object in the image, or choose a part of the image (choose your selected image area and zoom out so just the part of the object you want to search is in the image).
  5. Scroll to the bottom to find your results

Google Reverse Image Search on Android

You need the latest version of the Google or Chrome app on your Android phone.

There are also three ways to go about it;

1. From Google Search Results

  1. Open your browser
  2. Go to images.google.com
  3. Tap the image
  4. Tap on “visually search this image

2. From a Website

  1. Open your Google or Chrome app
  2. Find the website where the image is
  3. Choose the image and hold it down
  4. Click “search with google lens
  5. Select how you want to do your search; use the whole object in the image or a part of the object by zooming it out so just the part of the object you want to search is in the image.
  6. Scroll down to find your results.

Remember that to use this, you must set Google as your default browser.

3. From your Android Device

You can either search with an image that already exists on your device, or take a picture of an image in real-time. For a picture on your device;

  1. Open your Google app
  2. Beside the search bar, hit the camera icon to search by image
  3. This will open a camera and display all your mages, tap on the image you want to search
  4. The results will automatically appear below the selected image, just scroll down for more results.

To take a picture in real-time;

  1. Open your Google app
  2. Click on the camera icon beside the search bar to search by image
  3. Tap “search with your camera”/ the camera icon
  4. Point the camera to an object in front of you. You can zoom in and out to get the exact area or spot into the image.
  5. Tap “search”, or the little search icon
  6. The results will automatically be displayed below the image. Just scroll down for more results.

Finally

As discussed in the article, using Google reverse image search is the easiest thing, whether on laptops, android devices, or Apple. Just make sure you have the right browser, updated to the latest version and you are good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Reverse Image Search Free?

Yes, the Google reverse image search is absolutely free and you can use it on any device, including Apple, Android, and Windows.

How to Google Reverse Image Search on iPhone, Android, and Computer?

This whole article is about how to search for an image on Google. Check out the step-by-step guide to know how to search on your android, iPad, and laptop.

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