How to Find the Original Source of an Image
Reverse Image Search Tips
Have you ever seen a photo online that would be perfect for your project—but you can’t find the original source?
That’s exactly what happened to my client Donna, an editor for her company magazine. She had found an image she loved but had no idea where it originated or whether she had permission to use it.
“Have you tried a reverse image search?” I asked.
She didn’t know that was possible. A reverse image search can help you locate where an image appears online, find higher-resolution versions, and sometimes identify the original photographer or source.
What Is a Reverse Image Search?
Three Tools to Help Find an Image Source
1) Google Images
Upload a .jpg, and see if there's a match. Google shows “Best guess for this image,” “Visually similar images,” and “Pages that include matching images.” You can also use “Tools” button on the far right side to search by size. Don’t forget to look at the website(s) where the image appeared; there might be copyright or contact information to ask for permission to use it.
2) TinEye.com
Upload or enter the image URL. TinEye crawls the Web and gives you results within seconds. You can sort by best match, most changed, biggest image, newest, or oldest. TinEye provides the image size, image name, and URL.
3) GettyImages.com, Shutterstock.com and other stock websites have a search-by-image feature. Click the type next to the camera icon on the home page, upload a .jpg image, and see if the photo is available on the ThinkStock site. If they don’t have it, you’ll get this message: “We are unable to identify the image you uploaded.”
When Reverse Image Search Doesn’t Work
Sometimes, you’ll see the same image on many sites. That doesn’t mean you’ve found the original, which can be very frustrating. If you’re striking out, consider using another image. Better yet, work with your graphic designer to search the best stock house for your needs.
Donna tried reverse search but struck out. "This image is EVERYWHERE on the Web!” she said. “I used both Google Images and TinEye searches and found dozens, if not hundreds, of references, none of which cited the artist!” I feel her pain!
Why You Should Never Grab an Image From the Internet
1. Copyright matters: Finding an image online does not mean it is available for anyone to use. Many photographs and illustrations are protected by copyright. Always verify usage rights, request permission when needed, or purchase the image through a reputable stock photography source.
This is especially important for authors choosing images for book covers, interiors, websites, and promotional materials.
2. Resolution matters: An image that looks beautiful on your computer screen may not reproduce well in print. Web images are often low resolution and may appear blurry or pixelated when enlarged for a book, magazine, or marketing piece.
Finding great images online is easy; but finding great images you can actually use is harder. You have to know where to search for the original. You can’t use a copyrighted image without permission, and/or you can’t always find the right person to ask. You should not download an image from the Web and expect it to be clear; it has to be high-resolution if you want to print it. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a designer who understands the process.
Need help finding the right images for your book, magazine, or marketing materials?
Choosing images is about more than finding something attractive—it’s about selecting visuals that are appropriate, high-quality, and legally usable.
I help authors, publishers, and organizations create professional designs using images that work beautifully in print and digital formats.
Contact N-K Creative for a free consultation.
P.S. A good graphic designer doesn’t just make things look pretty. We help solve problems—like finding the right image, understanding usage rights, and making sure your final project looks professional when printed.
Originally published in 2016. Updated with current resources and recommendations.