Reverse-search the web using photos

Uncover fake pictures, identify faces and catch photo thieves with a reverse image search. Jane Hoskyn reveals the best ways to search the web without words

- Jane Hoskyn

Find out what (and who) is in a photo

Google Images (images.google.co.uk) includes a ‘reverse’ tool that lets you search the web using pictures rather than words. Click the camera icon, then drag or upload an image file (or enter its public URL, such as bit.ly/map494) to get related Google results.

The more details Google can recognise in the photo, the better the results will be. Famous faces, landmarks, animals and works of art should all yield plentiful, accurate results. Google also offers ‘Visually similar images’ (useful for researching who’s in a photo), and automatically finds the largest available version.

Reverse-search a mobile photo

Google’s reverse-search tool doesn’t work in mobile browsers, but you can use the third-party site Labnol.org (www.labnol.org/reverse) to run photos through Google for you. Alternatively, open a picture in Google Photos (Android and iOS, bit.ly/gphotos494) then tap the Lens icon.

For a more comprehensive search, use Reverse Image Search for iOS (bit.ly/revios494). Select a photo from your iPhone or iPad gallery, camera or clipboard, then crop and edit it before running it through Google and Bing at the same time.