# Search by Image ## URL [Github](https://github.com/dessant/search-by-image) | [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/search_by_image/) | [Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/search-by-image/cnojnbdhbhnkbcieeekonklommdnndci) | [Edge](https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/search-by-image/hckehkfhdkpmdlonmjaagiodlpjbonmc) | [Safari](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/search-by-image-for-safari/id1544552106?platform=mac) | [Opera](https://addons.opera.com/extensions/details/search-by-image/) ## Description **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. ### How to use it 1. **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

Reverse searching an image from the contextual menu

2. **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.

3. **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

4. **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

5. **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".

6. **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

### Additional Features * **Support for** [**41 search engines and image services**](https://github.com/dessant/search-by-image/wiki/Search-engines) in addition to the default options. You can toggle and re-order them in the extension’s settings.

You can add additional search engines in the Options

* 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.

Toggle this option to open new tabs in the background

* **Changing the context menu default behavior:** You can set the context menu default behavior to either use the URL (default), Image or Capture mode.

Change the Context menu default behavior

### Mechanics **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 `` tags. This approach ensures compatibility across diverse websites, capturing images regardless of how they’re embedded. Read [this post](https://github.com/dessant/search-by-image/wiki/Why-is-the-extension-always-visible-in-the-context-menu%3F) for more details. ## Cost * [x] Free * [ ] Partially Free * [ ] Paid The tool is free and open-source. ## Level of difficulty


1

## Requirements Most search engines need Javascript to be enabled. ## Limitations 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. ## Ethical Considerations 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. ## Guides and articles [This guide](https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/how-tos/2019/12/26/guide-to-using-reverse-image-search-for-investigations/) does not use this specific extension but explains how to use reverse image searches in investigations. ## Tool provider Armin Sebastian ([@dessant on GitHub](https://github.com/dessant)) is an EU based developer specializing in open source browser extensions that enhance user experience and accessibility. ## Advertising Trackers * [ ] This tool has not been checked for advertising trackers yet. * [ ] This tool uses tracking cookies. Use with caution. * [x] This tool does not appear to use tracking cookies. 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. Read the extension's [privacy policy](https://github.com/dessant/search-by-image/wiki/Privacy-policy) here. | Page maintainer | | ------------------------- | | Bellingcat Volunteer Team | --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://bellingcat.gitbook.io/toolkit/more/all-tools/search-by-image.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.