# Reverse Image Search (`burbn/reverse-image-search`) Actor

Track where your images appear online! Scrape matched webpage titles, domains, direct links, and image dimensions from any image URL. Perfect for copyright enforcement, brand monitoring, fake profile detection, and visual reverse lookup at scale.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/burbn/reverse-image-search.md
- **Developed by:** [Kevin](https://apify.com/burbn) (community)
- **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, SEO tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

## Reverse Image Search – Find Similar Images by URL

**Search by image URL to find visually similar images and pages across the web. Extract matching page titles, links, domains, thumbnails, image dimensions, and metadata. Powered by Google's reverse image search technology. Built with Apify best practices for reliability and speed.**

***

### Table of Contents

- [Features](#features)
- [Use Cases](#use-cases)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Input Parameters](#input-parameters)
- [Output Format](#output-format)
- [Performance & Limits](#performance--limits)
- [FAQ](#faq)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Tags](#tags)

***

### Features

- **Image URL Search** – Search by providing any image URL to find visually similar images across the web.
- **Up to 500 Results** – Extract up to 500 matching results per image search.
- **Page Titles & Links** – Get the title and URL of every page where a matching image appears.
- **Domain Extraction** – See which domains and websites contain matching images.
- **Thumbnail URLs** – Extract thumbnail image URLs for each result.
- **Image Dimensions** – Get width and height of matched images in pixels.
- **Date Information** – See when matching pages were published (when available).
- **Site Favicons** – Extract favicon/logo URLs for source websites.
- **Safe Search Control** – Control explicit content filtering (off or blur).

***

### Use Cases

| Use Case | Description | Key Benefits |
|----------|-------------|--------------|
| Image Origin Tracking | Find the original source of an image and track where it appears online. | Identify the first publisher and all sites using the image. |
| Brand Monitoring | Monitor unauthorized use of your brand images across the web. | Track all domains displaying your copyrighted images. |
| Copyright Protection | Identify websites using your copyrighted images without permission. | Find unauthorized image usage for DMCA takedowns. |
| Fake Profile Detection | Verify profile pictures by checking if they appear elsewhere online. | Detect catfishing and stolen identity photos. |
| Product Image Monitoring | Track where your product images appear across e-commerce sites. | Monitor resellers and unauthorized distributors. |
| Content Verification | Verify the authenticity of images shared on social media or news. | Cross-reference images to find the original context. |
| Visual Research | Find related images and visual content for research and analysis. | Discover similar images and their sources at scale. |
| Influencer Verification | Verify if influencer content is original by checking image origins. | Detect repurposed or stolen visual content. |

***

### Quick Start

#### 1. Basic – Simple Reverse Image Search

```json
{
  "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
  "limit": 20
}
```

#### 2. Large Result Set

```json
{
  "url": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61KOR4NQXTL.jpg",
  "limit": 200,
  "safe_search": "off"
}
```

#### 3. Maximum Results with Safe Search

```json
{
  "url": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71dV40OwhgL.jpg",
  "limit": 500,
  "safe_search": "blur"
}
```

***

### Input Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description | Default | Example |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|---------|---------|
| `url` | String | Yes | Full URL of the image to search for | - | `"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Mcspt-6AL.jpg"` |
| `limit` | Integer | No | Maximum number of results to return (10–500) | `50` | `20`, `100`, `500` |
| `safe_search` | String | No | Control explicit content filtering | `"blur"` | `"off"`, `"blur"` |

#### Safe Search Options

| Value | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `off` | No filtering – show all results including explicit content |
| `blur` | Blur explicit/NSFW content in results (default) |

***

### Output Format

#### Result Data Structure

```json
{
  "source_type": "reverse_image_search",
  "search_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
  "title": "Sadie Sink - Wikipedia",
  "link": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadie_Sink",
  "domain": "en.wikipedia.org",
  "logo": "https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/faviconV2?url=https://en.wikipedia.org&client=HORIZON&size=96&type=FAVICON",
  "date": null,
  "image": "https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTSCJ5pYc-ZZBWEJaTmFI4k4Db4qpPPyFiLRdEMNWxgbC_2_qW3_yr2ai4_&s",
  "image_width": 250,
  "image_height": 369
}
```

#### Output Fields Explained

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `source_type` | String | Source indicator, always `reverse_image_search` |
| `search_url` | String | The image URL that was searched |
| `title` | String | Title of the page containing a matching image |
| `link` | String | URL of the page containing a matching image |
| `domain` | String | Domain of the source website |
| `logo` | String | Favicon/logo URL of the source website |
| `date` | String | Publication date of the page (if available, e.g., `"Dec 25, 2025"`) |
| `image` | String | Thumbnail URL of the matched image |
| `image_width` | Integer | Width of the matched image in pixels |
| `image_height` | Integer | Height of the matched image in pixels |

***

### Performance & Limits

- **Result Limit** – Up to 500 results per image URL.
- **Batching** – Data is saved in batches of 10 items to prevent loss during unexpected errors.
- **Rate Limiting** – Built-in retry delays for optimal throughput.

***

### FAQ

- **Q: Where does the data come from?**
  - All data is fetched dynamically using Google's reverse image search technology via a real-time API.
- **Q: Can I get more than 500 results?**
  - The API supports a maximum of 500 results per image URL.
- **Q: What image URL formats are supported?**
  - Any publicly accessible image URL (HTTPS or HTTP) is supported. The image must be reachable from the internet.
- **Q: Can I search with a local image file?**
  - No, this actor requires a publicly accessible image URL. Upload your image to a hosting service first and use the resulting URL.
- **Q: What data formats can I export?**
  - Apify supports exporting results as JSON, CSV, Excel (XLSX), XML, HTML, and RSS.
- **Q: What is safe search?**
  - Safe search controls how explicit/NSFW content is displayed. "blur" blurs explicit content, "off" shows everything.

***

### Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| "No image URL provided" | Empty or missing `url` | Enter a valid image URL in the input |
| No results found | Image is too unique, private, or not indexed | Try a different image URL or a more widely shared image |
| API returned error | Unexpected API response or invalid parameters | Check the error message and retry. Verify your image URL is accessible |
| Rate limit exceeded | Too many concurrent requests | Wait a few minutes and try again |
| Invalid image URL | URL is malformed or image is not accessible | Ensure the URL points to a publicly accessible image |

***

### Why Choose This Actor?

- URL-based reverse image search powered by Google
- Up to 500 matching results per search
- Page titles, links, and domain extraction
- Image thumbnail URLs and dimensions
- Publication date extraction
- Safe search control
- Downloadable as CSV, Excel, JSON, XML, or HTML

***

### Tags

`reverse image search`, `image search`, `find similar images`, `google reverse image`, `image lookup`, `image finder`, `visual search`, `image origin`, `image tracker`, `copyright detection`, `image monitoring`, `apify actor`

***

### 🔗 You May Also Like

| Actor | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| [Google Images Search](https://apify.com/burbn/google-images-search) | Search Google Images by keyword and extract image data with advanced filters. |
| [Google Search Scraper](https://apify.com/burbn/google-search-scraper) | Search Google for any keyword and get organized results. |
| [Google Shopping Scraper](https://apify.com/burbn/google-shopping-scraper) | Scrape Google Shopping for products with prices and other details. |

***

### Get Started Now

1. Enter the **Image URL** (e.g., `https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Mcspt-6AL.jpg`)
2. Set the **Maximum Results** (e.g., 50)
3. Optionally configure **Safe Search** preference
4. Click **Start** to run the reverse image search
5. Export your data in JSON, CSV, or Excel format
6. Click ["Try for free"](https://apify.com?fpr=free-credits) to test the actor

***

*Built using Apify Platform | Optimized for Performance & Reliability*

# Actor input Schema

## `url` (type: `string`):

🌐 Enter the full URL of the image you want to search for. The API will find visually similar images and pages across the web.

Example: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie\_Sink\_%2843914734441%29.jpg

## `limit` (type: `integer`):

📈 Maximum number of results to return (10–500). More results = longer runtime.

## `safe_search` (type: `string`):

🔒 Control how explicit / NSFW content is displayed in your search results.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
  "limit": 50,
  "safe_search": "blur"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results_overview` (type: `string`):

Open the dataset view with an overview of all reverse image search results including titles, links, domains, and thumbnails.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
    "limit": 50,
    "safe_search": "blur"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("burbn/reverse-image-search").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
    "limit": 50,
    "safe_search": "blur",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("burbn/reverse-image-search").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Sadie_Sink_%2843914734441%29.jpg",
  "limit": 50,
  "safe_search": "blur"
}' |
apify call burbn/reverse-image-search --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,burbn/reverse-image-search"
        }
    }
}

```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/RFNsOBIiR68O2yfo7/builds/dVs70jsiW796HgfRC/openapi.json