Reverse image search
Reverse image search for any picture
Upload a photo, screenshot, product shot or artwork and we look for that image across public sources: copies, crops, re-uploads and the pages they sit on. No face is needed for this search — if you want to find a person, our face scan is the right tool.
- Works with any image — no face required
- Finds copies, crops and re-uploads of the file
- Shows the page where each copy was published
- Free to run, no account needed to start
Looking for a person rather than one picture? Use the face scan — it detects the face first.
Face scanHow reverse image search works
Instead of typing words, you hand over the picture itself. We compare its visual structure against a large index of public images and return the pages that host a matching or near-matching copy. Resized, compressed and lightly edited versions usually still match.
Reverse image search vs. face search
A reverse image search answers 'where did this picture appear?'. A face search answers 'where does this person appear?' — it detects the face first and then matches other photos of the same person, including completely different pictures. Pick the face scan when you are looking for a person, and this search when you are looking for one specific image.
What people use it for
Every use case comes down to tracing one file back to its sources.
- Checking whether your own photos were reused without permission
- Tracing the origin of a picture someone sent you
- Verifying that a marketplace or rental listing photo is not stolen
- Spotting stolen creative work, product shots and artwork
- Collecting source links for a takedown or removal request
Reading and using the results
Each hit shows the hosting page, the platform and how closely the copy matches your upload. Near-identical copies come first, then crops and edits. For a takedown you normally need the exact page URL plus a copy of your original file — the report gives you the first part in one place.
Limits worth knowing
We index public pages only, so private albums, closed groups and messenger chats stay invisible. Heavily repainted images, deep crops that remove most of the frame and AI-regenerated versions can fall below the match threshold. A picture that was only uploaded very recently may also not be indexed yet, so a repeat scan later is often worth it.
How to run a reverse image search
Pick the original file
Use the highest-quality copy you have. Screenshots work, but the original file gives the cleanest matches.
Upload it
Drag it in on desktop or pick it from your camera roll on the phone. No account is needed to start.
Review the matches
Results are ranked by how closely each copy matches, with the hosting page next to every hit.
Save or act on the sources
Unlock the full report to keep every source link for takedown requests, or start monitoring for new copies.
How FaceDetective compares with the free tools
| Tool | Matches | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FaceDetective image search | Copies, crops and re-uploads plus the hosting pages, ranked by similarity | Tracing where your own pictures are being reused |
| Google Images | Visually similar pictures and some pages using the file | A quick first look with no report to keep |
| FaceDetective face scan | Other photos of the same person, not the same file | Finding a person across profiles and platforms |
Frequently asked questions
Is reverse image search free?
The scan and a preview of the report are free. Unlocking every result link and monitoring alerts is a paid upgrade.
Does the image need to contain a face?
No. This search accepts any picture. Only the face scan requires a detectable face, because it matches people rather than files.
Does reverse image search work with screenshots?
Usually yes. Screenshots lose quality, but enough visual structure normally survives for a match.
Can I do a reverse image search on my phone?
Yes, the whole flow runs in the mobile browser — pick a photo from your camera roll or shoot one and start the scan.
Will it find cropped or edited copies?
Crops, resizes, filters and small overlays normally still match because we compare visual structure. Very deep crops or heavy repainting can drop below the threshold.
How do I get a stolen photo removed?
Collect the source page URLs from your report, then send a takedown request to the platform or host with proof that the original is yours. Our removal guide walks through the wording.
Guides that go deeper
- How-toReverse image search for stolen photos: the complete guideA file-based search finds copies of a picture. A face search finds the person. Knowing which to use — and in what order — is what turns a vague worry into a list of URLs.Read guide
- How-toHow to reverse image search on iPhone and AndroidMost searches now start on a phone, usually from a screenshot somebody just sent. These are the fastest routes on iOS and Android, and the mistakes that quietly kill your results.Read guide
- Image theftYour photos are being sold online — how to find every listing and stop itStolen pictures get monetised: stock listings, print-on-demand shops, paywalled content accounts, scraped datasets. Here is how to track the money trail back and shut it off.Read guide
- ProtectionHow to remove your photos from the internetYou cannot delete the internet, but you can make your pictures hard to find. That means an inventory, the right takedown route per host, de-indexing, and a routine that catches reappearances.Read guide