Looking for an image that you don’t have an idea where it comes from is not an easy task sometimes. We can see that all of the main search engines provide this possibility. On the other hand, have you needed in a situation where you have an image and you want to know its origin or you want to find similar ones? This is a process called reverse image search? Well, since you already know what’s the modus operandi of every search engine, then you probably have a rough idea about how this process can actually work. You can compare it with the keywords you have to conduct a search.
The only difference is that you don’t have keywords, but instead, you have a couple of images that you want to base your search on. Thankfully, there are tools that can actually make this happen. If you are interested in taking a look at some of these tools, take a look at https://www.reverseimagesearch.com. These tools work a lot like search engines, but instead of using words, you can use images in order to find needed information about that image itself. At the same time, you can use URL in order to perform the same type of research as with images themselves. It can be said that we are talking about a content-based query. Now that we’ve learned the basics of this approach, let us take a look at it in greater detail. Without further ado, let us begin now.
Table of Contents
What are the Factors Involved?
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As you can see, this type of query is much more complex than the usual one conducted with words. Therefore, it’s safe to say that a plethora of different factors actually have an influence on the results you will get. Maybe you will be surprised by the fact that some of the reverse image searches are based on colors that can be found in the image. These searches have an ability to create a histogram that will compare the colors in an image in question, to many other images that can be found.
In case there is a match in these histograms, then you can expect that all the images that have a high percentage of the match will appear among the results. Furthermore, you can perform a scan that will provide you with the results, in terms of texture. The information you will receive will morph into 2D graphics, which then can be used for searching the results you’ve got as a match and for compartments between these.
There is one more factor that you should count on, and that is the actual shape of the image in question. In the end, we would like to talk about more complex things that these searches can be based on. For example, many reverse image searches can be based on algorithms that are then compared with the ones that can be found in a large online library. All of these factors have an essential influence on the results you will get. Therefore, you need to make sure you’ve selected all of them when you are conducting a search.
When Should You Use It?
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As we’ve already mentioned, reverse image search has the task of providing you with the images that you look for. Also, you can presume that this is not a process that can be described as simple since there are so many different factors involved in it. We’ve already explained what are the factors you can count on to find the results you are looking for. Without any doubt, we are talking about a process that will provide you with the best possible results you will be able to find.
For example, we can see that designers use this approach much more than any other persons. The reason is pretty simple, like finding a couple of images that can be perfect for combining at some point. Furthermore, they can be provided with some more creative ideas for their work, take a look at some similar works, discover potential plagiarism, and which works are the most popular at a particular moment. For example, if they are interested in checking out if some image was already published. Better yet, these searches can be completed in a matter of seconds.
Plus, there is a possibility of learning who is the original owner of the image in question. This is important due to the question of plagiarism and copyright. Also, in some cases, you will need the image in question in a much higher resolution. Say no more, this process can actually help you to find almost any image in a higher resolution for whatever purpose you might need it.
What are Tools You Should Use?
After we’ve learned about the whole process and when you should use it, let us take a look at the tools you should use when conducting a reverse image search.
Google Goggles
img source: vox-cdn.com
The first tool that we would like to talk about is Google Goggles. Even though many people would immediately think about a basic Google, this is not it. We are talking about an app for Android mobile phones who are specialized in conducting this type of search. Plus, it adds some more ways you can conduct a search like QR codes, which is much more effective than a lot of different approaches you can find on many tools of this kind.
Google Search (Image)
img source: searchenginejournal.com
Surely, we can say that Google Search by image is surely the most popular and most effective tool when it comes to conducting this type of search. We can say that this tool doesn’t need any introduction since all of us are using it every day. You can either use the image itself or URL for conducting a search that will provide you with the best possible results. The results you will receive will be based on a wide array of different elements that we’ve already described in the previous part of our article. However, we are talking about Google, which means that it has access to all the libraries that can be found on the internet.
