How to Find Someone with a Picture [2024]

Can I search for a person by photo? Absolutely yes. Reverse image search tools are made for this need. However, which is the most effective method for you when you want to get your crush’s contact info, check if the person you met on a dating app is a catfish, or find out the name of the person who violated your rights? We’ll walk you through methods that help you find someone with a picture, and show you how to run further searches to get the information you need.

💬What do you think of the tools we recommend in this post? Have any worked for you, or maybe none of them did? Do you have better suggestions? We’d love to hear your thoughts—your feedback matters to us!

Method 1: Free reverse image engines

To start, try a free reverse image search tool like Google Lens. It’s the best free reverse image tool compared to others like Bing, and Yandex according to my search experience. It’s easy-to-use and can show you results fast. If you’re lucky, you might immediately find what you’re looking for!

• On a phone: To use Google Lens, open either the Google app or Google Chrome. If you try to use it in Safari, it’ll redirect you to the Apple Store. If you don’t have these apps or don’t want to download them, you can use Bing instead.
  • Open the Bing.com, tap “Image,” and then tap the camera icon. Bing will ask for permission to use your camera and photos, then it can start searching with your image.
• On a computer: Go to Google, click the camera icon, then upload the image or paste the image URL. Google may lead you to potential profiles or more.
  

In my test, Google Lens reveals the person’s real name and his Facebook page. And on the given Pinterest pages, comments alert that scammers like using this picture. 

Results from both Bing and Yandex also show that this image has been widely used by scammers.

Tips: If you have no luck with Google, you can give Bing, Yandex and Tineye a try. Here’s why:
1. The search steps are similar in all three.
2. Google’s results for people might be limited sometimes.
3. Each search engine may show different results, which can give you more options. And it’s never hurt to try free tools.

In conclusion, free image search engines are helpful for spotting catfishing and scams. They work especially well if the image owner is an active internet user, social media influencer, or celebrity; in these cases, you can easily find related photos and information. However, when searching for images of regular people, these tools may return no results or incorrect matches.

To find information about ordinary people from a picture, a professional facial recognition search tool is often a better choice.

Method 2: Facial recognition search

When trying to find someone on Instagram using a picture, search engines like Google Lens may fall short, as they rarely return Instagram results in our tests. Instead, facial recognition engines like PimEyes and FaceCheck are effective tools to use.

FaceCheck.ID VS PimEyes

Both FaceCheck and PimEyes are popular facial recognition tools often mentioned on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and blog posts. But how well do they work, and which one is better for your needs?

How we tested

We took a screenshot from an Instagram account to test each tool’s performance. PimEyes found the exact image although the source wasn’t Instagram. FaceCheck didn’t find the exact match but did identify the correct person.

Both tools successfully identified the person in the image when tested with a high-quality, clear photo. However, if you’re working with low-resolution or blurred images, FaceCheck may be a better choice.

💡It’s important to note that both FaceCheck and PimEyes only locate similar-looking faces but don’t guarantee they’ll find the persons’ social media accounts. If you want to identify the person in the photo, understand their relationship to the source owner, consider using a people search tool like BeenVerified to piece together clues.

Or, try Social Catfish, an all-in-one search engine that supports reverse image and people search functions, so you can find what you need without hopping between different sites.

Comment
byu/Necessary_Drive969 from discussion
incatfish

Additional Tips:

To find the image source for free, you can take a screenshot of the matched image from PimEyes or FaceCheck, then search for it with Google Lens. Google may return the source website for you.

Social Catfish: All-in-one search engine

Social Catfish is an online dating investigation service offering both reverse image search and people search functions. This tool also features facial recognition helps you find a person using their picture, and the additional information can be used for further searches.
While it may not be the top choice for reverse image searches, Social Catfish stands out as the only tool I know that combines reverse image and people search capabilities, making it a versatile option for finding someone using a picture.

1. Go to Social Catfish.
2. Click the Image tab to run a reverse image search.
3. Upload image and click Search.
   💰Price: Unlimited image searches require $6.87 for 3 days then $28.97 per month. (The prices listed are as of the date the article was updated.)
   
4. Social Catfish will generate a result page. You can use the information to run further searches. Social Catfish supports Name, Email, Phone, Address, and Username search.
   

This tool is handy for dating site users, saving you time and effort in using different tools.

💡Tip to identify catfish:

When someone’s profile image is degraded or pixelated, it’s pretty clear the image is from another source.

Bonus tips:

1. Other ways to find someone with a picture :

• Asking around in the place where you met the person might help.
• Post a photo and tell the story of why you want to meet the person again on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Kindhearted netizens may give you some clues or help you find the person. 

2. How to track someone with a picture

Some users have asked, “Can someone trace my location from a picture” due to safety concerns^[1]. In fact, there are ways to track someone with a picture but you don’t need to worry about it too much. Read on to find out why.

Method 1: Reverse image search with Google

Just like the method mentioned earlier, upload the photo and search. Google may provide valuable information about the location or other related details, helping you find out where the photo was taken. This method is good for identifying tourist attractions but not for private houses or communities.

Method 2: Viewing GPS coordinates within the image

Besides the visual elements, an image file contains valuable additional information called image metadata. Image metadata is a set of text information that provides specific details about the photo itself and how it was taken, including GPS coordinates. 

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is the most common type of image metadata in digital photos. By viewing EXIF data, you may find GPS coordinates and determine where the person was when they took the picture.

• For Windows users: Select the file, then right-click and choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu. Click the “Details” tab, then scroll down to check EXIF data.
  

• For Mac users: Select the photo you want to remove and press Command+i together to open Inspector. Under the Info tab, choose GPS, and then you’ll see GPS coordinates.  
  
• For iPhone users: Select an image in the Photos app, then tap the Info button (an “i” in a circle) under the image.
  
• For Android users: Find the photo you want to view in the Google Photo app, swipe up on the photo, or tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. You’ll see the photo’s EXIF data.
  

You can also use online services to extract EXIF data from images. There are many online tools for this, such as jimpl.com. This tool provides a clear visual interface for checking EXIF data. You can also use the image URL to check without downloading the photo. If there are any GPS coordinates attached to the photo, you can see them right there. Additionally, the tool has a built-in feature for easily removing metadata by clicking the “REMOVE METADATA” button.

Does it mean we can easily find GPS coordinates from images online? No. In fact, it’s really hard to find an image with EXIF files on the internet, let alone one containing GPS coordinates. It’s because EXIF files are easily removed, and most popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) automatically strip out EXIF data and do not display this information to the general public. So, you don’t need to worry about the pictures you’ve already shared on the internet.

How to protect your privacy

The first important step is to set your phone’s camera Location Services to Never. Both iOS^[2] and Android systems allow you to turn off location services. In this case, the photos taken with your camera will never contain GPS coordinates. Note that other information, such as camera settings and camera model will still be recorded in the metadata.

Second, check your photo’s metadata before sending original photos to others, especially those taken before turning off location services. These photos may contain GPS coordinates. I’ve tested several times and found that when sending the original image with the actual size to someone by email, the metadata could still be retained and unintentionally reveal your personal information, such as GPS coordinates. Remove metadata when needed. 

In short, to protect your privacy, disable location services on your camera and check the metadata before sending or removing metadata from existing photos.

How to remove Metadata

• For Windows users: Right-click on the file and choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu. Head to the “Details” tab and then click “Remove Properties and Personal Information”.
  
• For Mac users: Open the photo you want to remove location info, then click Tools > Show Inspector. In the open window, click Info>GPS, then click “Remove Location Info”.  
  
• For iPhone users:
  1. Select an image in the Photos app, then tap the Info button (an “i” in a circle) under the image.
  2. Tap “Adjust” in the right corner of the map.
     
  3. Then tap “No Location”.
     

• For Android users: Google Photos doesn’t allow you to edit or remove the location if the location was automatically added by your camera^[3]. You can only remove estimated locations in the photo. The steps are the same as how to view metadata on Android:
  1. Select the photo on Google Photos.
  2. Swipe up on the photo or tap the “three-dot” menu icon in the top right corner.
  3. Click the “Edit” icon beside Location.
     
  4. Tap “Remove location”.
     

There is an easier way to remove EXIF data from your photo for smartphone users. You can use a third-party photo editor app to edit your image; for example, Snapseed doesn’t preserve EXIF when exporting the photo.

Conclusion

There are numerous tools available in the market to find someone using a picture, and we recommend starting with free options, especially for those needing to verify identities or avoid scams. Advanced facial recognition tools can assist in identifying individuals and providing additional context. However, discovering someone’s photo online is just the initial step toward understanding their identity.

If you have specific needs, such as locating an Instagram account and facial recognition tools don’t yield results, consider using people search tools when you have additional information beyond just a photo. These tools can provide deeper insights into the person’s background.

Moreover, image metadata often goes unnoticed in today’s social media landscape. Being aware of this can help protect your privacy and encourage caution when sharing images online. By adopting the right approach, you can uncover hidden details within an image and make informed decisions based on your discoveries.

FAQ

1. r/discordapp [InternationalBag7]. (2020, September 3). Can someone trace my location from a picture sent on discord [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/ilp9si/can_someone_trace_my_location_from_a_picture_sent/↩
2. Apple Support. (2023, September 18). Stop and remove location metadata in Photos. Apple. https://support.apple.com/en-sg/guide/personal-safety/ips0d7a5df82/web↩
3. Google Photos Help. (n.d.) Understand, find and edit your photos’ locations. Google. https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6153599?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform=Android↩

By Iris Zheng

I have worked as a content writer for years and have found great joy and meaning in this profession. As a member of a company's writing team, I have benefited from continuous training and learning opportunities. These experiences have not only improved my research skills and learning abilities but have also enabled me to quickly find valuable and accurate information in the vast sea of data.

My previous work in banking instilled meticulous work habits in me. I carefully inspect and verify information I collect with the aim of providing readers with authentic and reliable content. My skills and cautious nature not only allow me to offer robust support to readers in my professional life but also position me as a source of information and advice for my family and friends in my personal life.

I derive immense enjoyment and a profound sense of accomplishment from assisting others. If my articles are able to assist you in any way, it would be both an honor and a personal achievement. This motivation will continue to inspire me to pursue constant improvement and produce more valuable content.

View all of Iris Zheng's posts.