Search by Image
A browser extension to reverse search an image on multiple search engines.
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A browser extension to reverse search an image on multiple search engines.
Last updated
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Search by Image is a browser extension that enables reverse image searching on multiple search engines, including Google Lens, Bing, Yandex, and TinEye. It allows users to reverse search an image directly from the contextual menu (right-clicking on the image) or from the toolbar.
After selecting an engine, the tool opens a new tab with the search results. Users can also search across all supported engines simultaneously, opening multiple tabs for broader results.
This tool is designed to support journalists, investigators, and fact-checkers in verifying image origins, finding higher resolutions, and locating similar images across the web.
From the context menu shortcut:
Open the image's context menu (right-click on Windows and most Linux platforms, Control + Click or Two-finger click on the trackpad on Mac)
Hover over "Search by Image"
Select the search engine of your choice
From the Extension Menu - Select URL (default mode): Queries the selected engine using the image URL.
Open the extension's menu from the toolbar
Select the "Select URL" mode
Select your target search engine
Select the image from the web page
Note: this is equivalent to the contextual menu shortcut in the default settings.
From the Extension Menu - Select Image: Uploads the image to the selected engine: this is useful when reverse searching images from sites where contextual menu is disabled (Pinterest) or where images cannot be accessed by their URL (Instagram).
Open the extension's menu from the toolbar
Select the "Select Image" mode
Select your target search engine
Select the image from the web page
From the Extension Menu - Capture: Allows you to capture and search a specific area of an image/the web page.
Open the extension's menu from the toolbar
Select the "Capture" mode
Select your target search engine
Select the area you want to reverse search
From the Extension Menu - Browse: Enables you to upload an image from your local files (supports copy/paste).
Open the extension's menu from the toolbar
Select the "Browse" mode
Select "Browse"
Select your target search engine
Select the image from your local files
Note: in this mode you can also paste an image from your clipboard by selecting "Paste" instead of "Browse".
From the Extension Menu - URL: Allows you to paste a URL for querying.
Open the extension's menu from the toolbar
Select the "URL" mode
Paste the image URL in the field
Select your target search engine
Reverse search an image in multiple search engines at once
Changing the new tab default behavior:
By default, selecting a search engine to use on an image will open the results in a new tab and switch focus to it. If you prefer to open the tab in the background and view the results later, you can adjust this behavior in the Options.
Changing the context menu default behavior:
You can set the context menu default behavior to either use the URL (default), Image or Capture mode.
The tool is free and open-source.
Most search engines need Javascript to be enabled.
Even though the extension seems to be actively maintained, certain events—such as browser updates, engine inaccessibility, or changes in how an engine processes image queries—may require updates to the extension.
Make sure you have the right to use the selected search engines in your location.
Engaging in doxxing, harassment, or sharing explicit content without consent is illegal and carries serious consequences under many jurisdictions' laws.
The Search by Image Extension does not use tracking cookies but most of the search engines do. For your privacy, make sure to check the search engines' privacy policies.
Bellingcat Volunteer Team
Support for in addition to the default options. You can toggle and re-order them in the extension’s settings.
Search by Image detects images by parsing the entire web page, identifying images embedded in various ways (like canvas, CSS, or object elements) rather than relying solely on <img> tags. This approach ensures compatibility across diverse websites, capturing images regardless of how they’re embedded. Read for more details.
does not use this specific extension but explains how to use reverse image searches in investigations.
Armin Sebastian () is an EU based developer specializing in open source browser extensions that enhance user experience and accessibility.
Read the extension's here.
