X

How to search by image on Google

Google Images has a feature that lets you use images to search for related topics as well as images similar to it, increasing your chances of finding what you're actually looking for.

Nicole Cozma
Nicole Cozma has an affinity for Android apps and devices, but loves technology in general. Based out of the Tampa Bay Area, she enjoys being a spectator to both sunsets and lightning storms.
Nicole Cozma
2 min read

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is not just a cliche poetic statement, it's also an enormous hurdle to overcome when searching a topic with just a picture as a reference point. The chances of you using different words to describe a picture than someone else is quite high when you're trying to find an image on the Web. Thankfully, Google Images has a feature that lets you use images to search for related topics as well as images similar to it. Here's how to use it:

Google

Step 1: Navigate your browser of choice to Google Images.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 2: In the search box, click on the small camera icon to the right.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 3: From here you can either paste the URL of the image you'd like to use to search in the field that appears, or select Upload an image for more options.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 4: If you choose to upload an image you can input (or use the Browse button to find) the file path of your image. You can also drag the image from a folder in your operating system to where it says "Or drag an image here."

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 5: Press Enter to complete your search. Google will look for similar images for you, as well as bring up sites that may be related to the image you uploaded.

There's also a Chrome extension available that adds a "Search Google with this image" choice to your right-click menu. It's like Google Goggles built right into your browser.