Face search
Face search: find every public photo of one person
A face search takes a single portrait and looks for the same face everywhere else on the public internet. FaceDetective returns each hit with a similarity score, the platform it came from and when it was last seen.
- Works with selfies, group photos and screenshots
- Matches faces even when the photo is years old
- Ranked results with a similarity percentage
- Scan finishes in about 30 seconds
Looking for one specific picture instead of a person? Use the reverse image search.
Reverse image searchWhat a face search engine does differently
Text search needs a name. Image search needs the exact file. A face search only needs a face: we build a mathematical signature from the facial landmarks in your photo and compare it with the signatures of millions of indexed public images, so the person can be found even when no name is attached to the picture.
Reading your similarity score
Above 90% is a very strong match and usually the same person. Between 75% and 90% is a likely match worth checking manually. Below 75% is a lookalike candidate. During the scan you can confirm or reject the first candidates, which sharpens how the remaining results are ranked.
Photo quality matters
Front-facing, well-lit photos with the whole face visible produce the best results. Heavy sunglasses, extreme angles, motion blur and strong filters remove the landmarks our model relies on. If your first scan returns weak matches, try a second, sharper photo.
Frequently asked questions
Can I search for a face online for free?
Yes, the scan and a preview of the matches are free. The complete report becomes a paid upgrade.
Will the person know I searched for their face?
No. We only read public sources and never contact or notify anyone whose face appears in a report.
Can I search my own face to protect my privacy?
That is one of the most common uses. Scanning your own face shows which public photos and profiles are linked to you, so you can request removals where you need to.