The practice of searching images using the text-based search method is aged now. Moreover, it is not capable of showing you the exact image you desire to see in one go. The reason is the presence of thousands of images on the internet with almost the same description.
The algorithm running behind the text-based search method relies on the meta-data given with the image for the display of results. Hence, you may not get the bespoke results while using the text-based search method to find images online.
A significant majority of people use their smartphones to browse the web these days. The problem of not finding the desired images online prevails in the case of smartphones as well.
However, a new method called reverse image search can help you find your desired images online quickly. This method relies on advanced technologies like AI, Deep Learning, and Computer Vision.
The CBIR (Content-Based Image Retrieval) algorithm that is based on these advanced technologies powers the image search method for accurate results.
There are multiple facilities available on the web that use the reverse photo lookup to find images for users online. The reverse picture search option offered by Google Images is an example.
We have put together some valuable details about the working of the reverse photo search method and the effective ways to use it on both types of smartphones i.e. iPhones and Android smartphones. Further details are given below:
How Does the Reverse Image Search Work?
Like many people, you may ask, “How does a reverse image search work?”. The answer to this question will be divided into two parts, the first one will explain the working of a reverse picture search at the front end and the second one will be the working on the background.
Working on the front-end is quite simple, as soon as the user accesses a facility for this purpose, it asks for an image as a reference. This image can be termed the search query as well.
Once the image is uploaded, the reverse photo search utility like the one offered by Google Images starts its work.
Eventually, it displays image results that resemble the given picture based on dominant colors and featured content in the image. Now coming to the background work of a reverse photo lookup. The CBIR algorithm that power the reverse image search method carries out a few processes including Scan, Segmentation, Identification, and Search.
Ways to Search by Image on Smartphones
Here are some ways to help you find your desired images easily using your smartphone. You can use the reverse image search method to search similar images on both kinds of smartphones easily. All you need to know are a few methods to do it. We have outlined methods to perform reverse picture searches on iPhones and Android smartphones, further details are given below:
Google Reverse Image Search
The method of using the reverse image search option by Google is quite easy on Android phones. Simply open the Google Lens app, and it will give you two options, the first one is “Search with your camera”, which allows you to click a snap using the built-in camera feature in the Google Lens app.
The second option lets you select a random photo from the local storage of your device. Once you choose any of these options and the Google Lens app will have a reference visual. It will come up with several options.
There will be a search option as well, selecting this option will show images that resemble the given visual, and you can easily find your desired image from the database of Google Images.
The best way to use the reverse image search option offered by Google on iPhones is by accessing Google Images through the web browser available on your iPhone. Once you reach the Google Images home page, you will see a search box, camera icon, and the icons used to represent links.
Google Images offers you several ways to search for your desired images. However, if you want to use the reverse image search option, click on the camera icon. Once you do it, it will ask you to upload the image that resembles the image you are looking for on the web.
Upon selecting and uploading the image and pressing the search button, Google Images will come up with numerous picture search results.
Reverse Image Search with Third-Party Sites
The limitation you are going to face while using the image search option offered by Google Images is access to a single image library. The meaning of this limited access is your inability to find the required image online in some instances.
However, there is another method of doing the reverse photo lookup from the phone, which is capable of addressing this challenge effectively. In this method, you can also search by image a reliable third-party reverse image search facility available online, which can be accessed using your smartphone browser.
Once you access the utility, simply upload the photo upon uploading the reference image press the button. The picture finder will search results from various image libraries. These libraries include Bing Visual Search, Yandex, and Google images.
Hence, your chances of finding your desired images online on your phone increase significantly while using third-party websites.
End Words!
Finding images online using smartphones is effortless these days. You just need to make effective use of the reverse image search method for this purpose.
We have discussed its working in detail above. Additionally, we have also discussed the methods that will make the search for images easier. We hope you will find it useful!
FAQ
What technology is employed to create Google images?
Google Lens can be described as the brand name given to the technology offered by Google as well as a separate iOS and Android application that is based on it. It can be located within the Google app as well as integrated into the camera native applications on several previous Android phones.
What is visual technology?
Visual search refers to an application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to allow shoppers to search on the internet by using any kind of image, instead of text or keywords. This is extremely helpful for those who aren’t sure exactly what they’re looking for or put the wrong search phrase in the search box.
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