How to Search for an Image (and It's Source) via Google Images

Every time I search for an image via Google Images I think to myself, "I need to post this as a 'fabulous find' for anyone who hasn't discovered it yet", so today's the day!

I'm sure that this has happened to everyone at one time or another: You see an image that you LOVE on Pinterest and then when you click on the link it doesn't take you to the actual post about the image.  Or, maybe you see an image on another blog and there isn't a source listed and you really want to learn more about it.

Also, let's say that you write a blog and you're curious about who is using your images.  Are they linking back?  Are they using them as their own?  What are they saying about them?  This last question can be a tough one.  I ran a search for an image from one of my blog posts a few months ago just to see what would come up and to say that I wasn't prepared for what I would find would be an understatement.  When I clicked on the link to my image I discovered that another blogger had taken one of my posts including all of the images and wrote the most horrid things about them, using profanity throughout the post.  While I understand that by sharing my projects online I open myself up to criticism, it was a hard read, I'll tell you that, and I'm sure one of the meanest posts I've ever read.  It hurt to read through it, not because she didn't like my projects, I really didn't care about that, but because the whole post was so extremely negative and hateful.  So my point is, while Google Images can be a helpful tool, if you search for your own images be prepared for what you might find, there might be some surprises, and not the good kind.

If you have posted pictures of your children online, even on a family blog, searching for the image can also show you if, how, and where these images may be posted.  I've read about several instances where pictures of children were taken and altered with added text or were posted on less than desirable sites so it's nice to have a way to check for that.

So how do you search for an image?  It's really simple.  You start here at Google Images.

First click on the camera icon on the right in the search box.  I'm searching for this image of my Crepe Paper Flowers so I will need the image URL to paste into the search box.  (There is also options to drag and drop, upload an image from your computer, and download a Chrome extension. Click here for more information.)

To do this right click on the image in the post you are searching for and select 'copy image url'.  Paste it into the box and click on the blue 'search by image' box.

You'll see something similar to this; the image you searched for, a list of 'best guesses for this image', 'visually similar images', and 'posts that include matching images'.

You might find yourself searching through a bunch of Pinterest links, but I've found that generally the link to the original source is on or close to the first page.  If it doesn't show up, it's possible that the image you are searching for has been saved with a new name and has a new URL.  This is where the 'visually similar images' section comes in handy.

I've searched Google Images ever since I found out about it last year and have had pretty good luck finding the source I'm looking for.  Let me know if you have any luck with your searches!

Today's Fabulous Find...Searching Via Google Images

Sharing here!

My Repurposed Life