Think someone is using your photos without permission? Here's exactly how to find out — and what to do when you do.
Start With the Obvious: Google Image Search
The fastest way to check if a specific image has been stolen is Google's reverse image search:
- Go to images.google.com
- Click the camera icon in the search bar
- Upload your image or paste its URL
- Review the results
Google will show you visually similar images and, in many cases, exact matches. Look particularly at results that appear to be your image on domains you don't recognise.
Tip: Google's algorithm sometimes misses infringements, especially on newer or less-indexed sites. Always cross-reference with TinEye.
Cross-Reference With TinEye
TinEye specialises in finding exact image copies, even if they've been:
- Cropped or resized
- Converted to a different file format
- Colour-adjusted or filtered
- Compressed at different quality settings
Go to tineye.com, upload your image, and examine each result. TinEye shows you when and where an image was first indexed — useful for establishing the timeline of infringement.
Check Social Media Directly
Reverse image search engines don't fully index social media. For Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, you need a different approach:
- Instagram: Use the platform's search or Bing Visual Search, which has better Instagram indexing
- Pinterest: Pinterest has its own visual search tool — tap the camera icon on any pin
- Facebook: Report the image directly through Facebook's IP reporting tool
- Stock sites: Search Getty Images, Shutterstock, and Adobe Stock directly by image
Search for Watermark-Removed Versions
Infringers often crop watermarks or use inpainting tools to remove them. Search for:
- Your image without the watermark area (upload a cropped version)
- Alternative framings (a horizontally flipped version)
- Black-and-white or colour-adjusted versions
Some infringers are brazen enough to re-upload your exact original file — in which case the EXIF metadata may still contain your name and copyright.
Check EXIF Data on Suspected Copies
If you've found a suspicious image, you can sometimes check whether it retains your original metadata:
- Right-click the image and save it
- Use ExifTool (free, command-line) or Jeffrey's Exif Viewer online
- Look for Creator, Copyright, and Camera Serial Number fields
Your camera's serial number embedded in original EXIF data is powerful evidence of ownership. Even if the infringer stripped your name from the metadata, a matching serial number strongly supports your claim.
Build a Monitoring System
One-off searches only catch infringements at the moment you search. To catch them as they happen:
Free options:
- Set up Google Alerts for your name + "photographer" to catch attribution
- Manually search TinEye for your top images monthly
Professional options:
- ImageClaim runs automated daily scans across all major engines and databases
- You receive instant notifications when a new match is detected
- Results include source URL, screenshot, confidence score, and one-click action tools
Document Everything Before You Act
When you find a stolen image, before contacting anyone:
- Take a full-page screenshot including the URL bar
- Record the date and time of discovery
- Note whether there's any attribution (even wrong attribution matters)
- Identify the apparent purpose — commercial, editorial, personal?
- Check for a contact page or about page — you'll need this to send a C&D
Use a browser extension like GoFullPage (Chrome) to capture full-page screenshots, or print to PDF. This creates a timestamped record.
Next Steps After Finding a Stolen Photo
Once you've documented the infringement, your options are:
- Contact the infringer directly — appropriate for small personal blogs or honest mistakes
- Send a cease and desist letter — for all commercial use and repeat infringers
- File a DMCA takedown — for US-hosted content or platforms
- Engage a copyright lawyer — for significant commercial infringements or unresponsive infringers
ImageClaim automates the generation of C&D letters and DMCA notices and connects you with specialist copyright lawyers for escalation.