Today, it is common among kids to share different types of files online. They share images for fun and to share memories. But, there may be times when, as a parent, you accidentally see the screen of your kids and think that the image is not appropriate for them. At this time, you want to know, “How do I search using an image?” So, parents must learn how they can monitor their kids and act on image content.
In this guide, you will see how you can search using an image. It is possible from a browser, smartphone, or an app. With this search, you can trace where the image originally came from and more.
What is image search?
While talking about “How to search using an picture?”, you need to learn what an image search is. You get a smart way to explore the internet with the use of images instead of words. This means you will avoid typing something like “cute dog breed” into a search bar and simply upload or paste an image into search engines like Google. By doing this, you will get faster and easier results.
One popular term associated with the excellent image search is “reverse image search.”
- Reverse Image Search: This is a method to upload an image to search for where it came from. You can also check if the image has been altered or used without any permission.
It seems like exciting detective work. But how does it really work? Let’s check it out!
This approach compares different shapes, colors, and patterns of your image. Sometimes, there is an image in the picture. Reverse image search is a method that checks millions of images across the web. So, you can try to identify a person, product, or place. It will help you trace the origin of a photo.
Modern parents can see that this is an ideal way to understand what their kids are viewing and sharing further. So, next time when you see a strange picture on your child’s phone, you can go for a reverse image search. It can help uncover the main source and help you add protection for your child from any harmful or inappropriate content.
Ensure your child’s image searches are safe with real-time monitoring features.
How do you search using an image on Google?
Steps of using Google Images for reverse image search on desktop
The following are the steps that you can use to use Google Images for reverse image search on a desktop:
Step 1: Start by entering your search query on Google. Now click “Enter” on Windows. If you are a Mac user, you need to click “Return.”



Step 2: Next, click the “Images” tab. It assists in finding the pictures that are related to your search query.



Step 3: Next, you click on any of the images for which you need more information. It will help you to open the photo in an enlarged panel. It is shown on the right-hand side of your screen.
Step 4: The following step is to click on the Google Lens icon. It will be displayed in the bottom-left corner of the image.



Now, you can see a list of images that match the original image that you picked. You can click on any of the shown results to view a particular site.
Steps for conducting a reverse image search on mobile devices using Google Lens
In this section, you will see the quick steps for a reverse image search on mobile devices by using Google Lens. The steps are helpful for iPhone and Android users. One point you must remember is that you must have the Google Chrome app on your mobile devices. Once you have it on your phone, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Google and tap on Search with the help of Image icon. It will start your reverse image search.



Step 2: Now, your Google Lens is open. It offers several options, like choosing an image from your phone’s gallery. Another way is to take a picture by using a big white circle and a search icon.
You have the freedom to choose your preferred option to get the result for the image you want to search for.



Step 3: After you give an image, Google Lens will scan it. Next, you can see the generated search results, which include search images. They will be sourced from the internet.



Step 4: Now, you can view the additional results. It is possible by scrolling down the screen. And, you can see more content and source links.
How do you search using an image from social media?
Now, let’s move forward to understand more about “How do I search using an image?”
Everyone is crazy about using social media. Many people use it most of the time, like your kids. Here’s a fact for you: You can also conduct a search using an image from social media platforms like Facebook.
Here is a quick brief about how to do this:
- First of all, you can start by saving the image to your device.
- Now, you can use a reverse image search tool, such as Google Images or TinEye.
- When you use Google Images, you can click the camera icon in the search bar.
- Next, upload an image or paste an image URL (if available).
- The tool will scan the image and display visually similar images or web pages where the image appears.
This approach is also helpful for you in identifying unknown people. You can check if any photo is being misused. You can even spot the fake profiles. When using your desktop, you can even drag and drop images directly into the search bar. It will give you faster results.
A quick look at the limitation!
Moreover, you also need to be aware of the privacy limitations. There are various social media images that are set to private. It means that they will not appear in search results. In simple terms, reverse image search only works with content that is publicly accessible. It can’t go behind the login walls or privacy settings.
However, be aware of the limitations on privacy. Many social media images are set to private, meaning they won’t appear in search results. Reverse image search only works with content that’s publicly accessible, not behind login walls or privacy settings.
Why might parents want to search by image?
As you learn about “How do I search using an image?” here is another concern. Yes, various parents want to do an online search using an image.
Today’s digital age has kids who share and receive numerous images daily. They use messaging apps, social platforms, or even school platforms to share different media. As a parent, you may come across some photos that raise questions. For example, you may think, “Is it appropriate?” or “Who sent it?” or “Where did it come from?” Here comes the powerful use of image search as an excellent tool.
With the right use of a reverse image search, parents can quickly identify unknown or inappropriate content. They can check what kind of content their kids are exposed to. When parents uncover the origin of a photo, they can see if it is a part of harmful trends. Or if the circulation of the content online in different ways is risky.
Besides, its parents can also use reverse image search to verify the authenticity of images. You can see that today, things like “catfishing” and “AI-generated content” are on the rise. So, it is common to notice that some photos may not be what they seem. But, parents are lucky that a single image search can reveal whether a profile picture is real, stolen, or fake. It will help parents to spot potential dangers and guide their children safely online.
How does FlashGet Kids help parents monitor and act on image content?
FlashGet Kids is a tool that helps parents monitor and act on image content. With its media monitoring feature, it is easy to see which images are being stored or shared by kids. Thus, parent will feel relaxed about the ongoing sharing of images by their children. An added benefit for parents here is that they can use the screen capture monitoring. This is an effective feature to get real-time visuals of what the child is seeing. So, there is no delay in the protection of the kids when it comes to preventing them from viewing inappropriate image content.
Moreover, parents can also get a complete report of what images their children have seen. It is possible with the browser history tracking feature of the tool. With this, you can easily detect all the image search activity your kids have been involved in. The protection level doesn’t end here. The concerned parents can take advantage of one more excellent feature. When you use FlashGet Kids, you will also get instant notifications when any unknown content appears on your child’s screen.
Thus, when you look from a bigger perspective, FlashGet Kids is a collection of exceptional features that enable parents to monitor and act on image content seamlessly.
Using other tools for image search
If you want alternate options to Google Images, you can try tools like TinEye and Bing Visual Search. These tools offer reliable reverse image search options. Somehow, these work similarly, but they have unique strengths.
Let’s learn how to use them:
- TinEye: Start by going to “tineye.com.” After you open the site, upload your image. You can also paste the image URL. Here begins the search for exact matches only.
- Bing Visual Search: When you want to use this alternative solution, you need to visit “bing.com/images.” Now, click on the camera icon. The next step is to upload or drag an image. Bing will help you with object recognition within photos.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Google Images | TinEye | Bing Visual Search |
Upload image | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Paste URL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Object detection | Limited | No | Yes |
Search by region (Crop) | Yes | No | Yes |
Best for | General use | Verifying image reuse | Detailed object identification |
Conclusion
Now, you are at the final section of “How do I search using an image?” We all know that being a modern parent is not that easy. Especially when it comes to child safety, hopefully, this blog gives you all the information you need to search using an image.
Whether you try to trace a suspicious photo, check the source of a meme, or uncover the reality behind a shared image, your best friend is a reverse image search. It empowers you to take informed action. Besides, tools like FlashGet Kids help you create a more protective environment for your child.