How to Perform a Reverse Image Search on Instagram? [2024]

Reverse Search is the term used when you want to find the source of any media on the internet. Images are mostly reverse-searched to see when and where they were uploaded on the internet. In this article, we will explore how to reverse search images from Instagram. So without further ado, let’s dive straight into it.

Why Reverse Search Instagram Images?

Here a question arises: Why would you even want to reverse search an Instagram image? There are a few reasons for this. The most common is that you see an image on Instagram and want to check its authenticity.

Let’s say you come across an advertisement for some product on Instagram. A quick reverse search will tell you if the image is original or has been copied from some account. If it has been copied, most likely it is a scam, and you should proceed with caution.

You can also reverse-search Instagram images to detect copyright infringement. You can easily check if your content is being used in blogs and other accounts without proper permission. If it is, creators can use this to protect their original content on the platform by sending copyright strikes.

Most people, though, want to reverse search images to match them with an Instagram account and find where they came from. This could be done for nefarious purposes such as stalking but could also come from a genuine place of wanting to know the original source of an image.

READ MORE: How to Do a Reverse Google Image Search From Any Android ➜

Reverse Searching Images On Instagram

One unfortunate thing is that Instagram has no official reverse search tool. Hence, you have to make use of third-party tools to reverse search images on Instagram. We have shortlisted the best ones we found during our research.

1. Google Lens

The most accessible and effective tool for reverse-search images has to be Google Lens. The application is straightforward to operate and comes pre-installed on most Android phones. As the application is from Google itself, it has access to the world’s largest database. Hence, it is likely that you will find the source of the image you searched for.

↪ On Mobile

1. Take a screenshot of the image and head to the Google Lens application.
2. Select the screenshot from among the recent screenshots displayed.
   

   

3. The image will be automatically scanned, and relevant images from across the web will pop up.
4. You can scroll through them and look at the different accounts the image may have been posted from.
   

   

↪ Google Chrome

If you are on Chrome, searching the image through Google Lens is pretty simple. Just right-click on the image and click on “Search image with Google.” This will start searching the image through the lens, and results will start appearing on the right side of the screen.

2. Pixsy

Pixsy is another powerful reverse image searcher. It is mainly used for checking plagiarism and even helps you counter image theft. It has a powerful integrated AI that scans the web every time you scan a photo. Here is how Pixsy works:

1. Visit Pixsy and sign up using a free account.
2. Next up, import the image you want to scan onto the platform (It would work best if you are on PC.)
   

   

3. You can upload images from multiple platforms, including Instagram; however, as we have the image saved on our PC, we will “Upload From Computer.”
4. Once imported, you can scan the image by clicking on it.
5. You will get a report such as the one below, showing where the image may have been used, how many times it has been used, etc.
   

   

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3. SauceNao

SauceNao, just like Pixsy, is also a reverse image searcher. If Lens and Pixsy do not work, this is the next-best alternative you have access to. It also has added functionality, where you can reverse search an image directly through its URL.

So here is how it works: visit the SauceNao website, and in the search bar, either paste the image or its URL. Now click on the Search button and wait for it to finalize the results. Once done, it will display the different sources where exactly this or similar images have been posted.

4. Yandex

Yandex is a search engine like Chrome that allows you to navigate the web easily. One of its most prominent features is its reverse image searcher.

1. Visit the browser and click on the Images icon on the homepage.
   

   

2. Now select the camera icon present at the end of the search bar.
   

   

3. In the menu box that opens up, you can either paste the image from your clipboard or enter its URL.
   

   

4. Now click on the Search button and wait for the search engine to compile the results.
5. Once done, the results will be displayed, and you can check if the image has been posted elsewhere.
   

   

Limitation of Reverse Searching Instagram Images

There is, however, one limitation that you can’t overcome. If the image has been posted by a private account, then none of the tools mentioned will be able to locate it. This is because the content posted on private accounts is not available on the web. Hence, if you weren’t able to find the source through these sources, this will be the most probable cause.

READ MORE: How to Identify Plants Using Google Lens & Its Best Alternatives ➜

Conclusion

Instagram doesn’t have a default reverse image searcher; however, using the above-listed tools should accomplish the task. Try out all of them and see which one works the best for you. If you have a suggestion or a query, feel free to drop it below. Until next time. Ciao