The first camera was invented in 1816, and the first photo was taken in 1826. Now, over two centuries since the camera’s invention, billions of photos have been taken, many of which are only a Google search away.
There are 136 billion images on Google Images as of July 2022, according to Photutorial. That number is projected to grow to 382 billion by 2030.
Whether you’re looking for a specific image or trying to find information about a photo you’ve found, here’s the information you need — including an explanation of Google Lens, an image recognition software launched by Google in 2017.
How to search for an image on GoogleThere are two ways to search for an image using Google:
Use the search bar to enter your query — and click on the “Images” after you have entered your search
Go to images.google.com, which will take you directly to a collection of images after entering your query
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How to search using an image on GoogleIf you want more information about an image, you can use a reverse image search. By placing a photo or a link to an image in the search bar, you can discover websites that use the image, as well as related images and information.
To use Google’s reverse image search feature on your computer, you can follow these simple steps:
Go to images.google.com.
Click the camera button in the search bar.
You can upload an image by dragging it into the upload box or by clicking the “upload a file” button, which should open your computer’s library. Alternatively, below the upload box is a bar in which you can paste a link to an image you found online.
How to reverse image search on your phoneTo perform a reverse image search for an image on your phone, you can follow these steps, according to Business Insider:
Open the Google app on your Android or Apple device.
Tap on the camera icon in the Google search bar.
When prompted, allow Google to access your camera and photo gallery. If you have denied the Google app access to your camera or photo gallery in the past, you may have to manually give the app permission in your device’s settings.
Once you’ve allowed Google to access your camera and photos, you can search for related images by selecting a file from your device or snapping a picture in the Google app.
How to use Google LensYou can use Google Lens’ image recognition software on any image to find related images and other information.
If you’re already on Google Images on your phone or handheld device, and you see a picture you’d like to search with, you can simply click the Google Lens button in the top right corner of a selected photo — shaped like a square camera with rounded corners, with a circular lens in the middle — to uncover a slew of related images.
For photos with multiple items Google Lens recognizes, you can click or tap to select the item in the image that interests you most.
For photos with multiple items Google Lens recognizes, you can click or tap to select the item in the image that interests you most.If you want to search using an image in your camera roll or an item near you, you can also use your phone’s camera or photo gallery to search with Google Lens.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to search an image on Google: Guide to reverse image search