Safe On Social Media
Don't say anything online that you wouldn't want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.
Erin Bury
How to reverse image search Google images.
This concept can be summarised as search engine technology that takes an image that appears online or in documents you have received, and solves queries about its origin.
Results are produced that relate to revealing where the image has come from, its original accreditation, veracity and in provides further information about the image, and samples of similar images.
Some of the most common reasons for using this option include:
- Locating the source information of an image – i.e. the particular website.
- Searching for duplicated content
- Ensuring compliance with copyright legislation
- Finding out further information
- Determining if an image is genuine or has been faked
- To locate a higher quality version of the image
There are multiple methods, for conducting such a search. Some are relatively simple and focus on specific search engines, other include apps that search ALL the search engines, forums and social media platforms. They produce extremely detailed results. Which you choose depends entirely on your primary need.
Methods can vary between browser searches, and those conducted on phones with both Android and IOS software.
This cheat sheet will break down each of the above, and suggest one or two apps that can be downloaded for more detailed results.
Browsers and desktop computers.
This is the simplest of all options.
Visit images.google.com.
Click on the small camera icon, seen on the right – then simply paste the URL of the image you wish to search or upload an image file from your computer
For a URL
To Upload a file from your computer.
The result should include the websites that have used the image, a selection of other sizes for the image, and images that have a similarity with the one searched.
Dragging and dropping a picture into the reverse search engine. This will require use of either Chrome or Firefox as your browser.
- Open as a browser either Chrome or Firefox.
- Go to Google Images
- Find the picture/file on your computer you wish to reverse image search
- Click on the picture/file
- Hold down the mouse and drag the picture to the search box.
- Drop the image
Note– Images that have been reverse searched are only able to be stored by Google for a period of seven days. They will not appear as part of your search history. Google states it will only use them during that seven-day period to make their products and services more effective.
Android
There are several different methods of performing a reverse search on an Android device.
Google’s Chrome browser.
To do this for an image found online.
- Open Chrome and locate the image you wish to search for
- Tap and hold on the image once located
- When a number of options shows – choose the Search google for this image link.
When the image is stored on your device
Go to – ctrlq.org/google/images
Choose the upload picture options
- Select ‘Files” provided from your computer
- Choose an image from your photo gallery
- When this is uploaded select Show Matches
For an iOS device /iPhone
This is dependent on which browser you predominantly use on your device. Given that Safari is the default browser for iOS and does not provide options that Google does, you will need to separately go to Google Images to search.
- Go to images/google.com
- Select the share button from the bottom of the screen
- Scroll to the left to find all the available option. The Request Desktop Site will show.
- Select the Request desktop site to load the webpage
Now, you are in familiar Google image territory, and should select the camera option and follow the steps outlined previously.
If you do not wish to save an image to your device, an alternate method is via installing the google Chrome app to your phones.
This can be chosen from the App store, and downloaded for free.
Once downloaded, tapping and holding an image will offer identical options shown as above.
Selecting ‘Search Google or this image” will allow you to start a reverse image search.
Separate app options to consider
TinEye - very simple to use. Depending on the device you are using the search results will vary, but you are able to search images taken with your phone, select images from your photo gallery and browse for additional locations
Reversee – is available free from the app store. This is an expansive search tool that used multiple search engines to collate comparisons in a very fast time. This app has the additional feature of becoming an option through the share feature on a Safari browser – which will collect all images on a particular webpage and then select any of the images to search on google
ImgOps – covers rev
How to report Cyber-Bullying
Statistics say that one in five Australian children aged 8 to 17yrs have been the target of cyber-bullying in the last year. Most social media networks have rules banning cyber-bullying and have complaints tools for reporting.
Firstly, take screenshots so you have evidence.
Then report and block the bully on whatever social media app is being used. Some social media sites can take up to 48hrs to remove the reported post but you MUST report through these channels before reporting to to The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner.
Report it to The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner by filling in the online complaints form at esafety.gov.au if the site does not act in 48hrs.
If the bullying is threatening someone’s life or involves child pornography immediately contact your local police station.
Everything you post on social media impacts your personal brand. How do you want to be known?
The Publicity Gal