Our take: Searching by image URL returned 545 matching copies and the date it was first indexed in about 8 seconds. A paid stock-photo ad sits on top.
- ✓ No sign-up — tested
- ✓ 545 results with first-seen date — tested
- ! Stock-photo ad above results
- Images are processed on TinEye’s servers
- ? China access — not tested yet
Our test
Tested 29 Sep 2026 · Chrome desktop · searched by URL of a Wikimedia Commons cat photo (1795×2397 JPG)
How we checked privacy: A URL search makes TinEye’s server fetch and compare the image; uploads are processed on its servers too. We did not confirm how long uploaded images are kept, so avoid uploading private photos.
Data sheet
Every row shows how we know it
| Cost | Free search Tested |
|---|---|
| Sign-up | Not required Tested |
| Results | 545 matches, each with size and resolution Tested |
| First indexed | 4 Jan 2011 (earliest sighting) Tested |
| Index size | About 85.9 billion images (shown on results) Tested |
| Ads | Sponsored Shutterstock ad above results Tested |
| Uploaded image retention | — Not tested |
When to use it
Finding where a photo came from, or checking whether your image is being used elsewhere.
Before you use it
It finds the same image (including crops and resizes), not look-alikes. The ‘SPONSORED’ item at the top is an ad.
How to use it
- Open tineye.com.
- Upload an image or paste its URL.
- Compare sites, first-seen dates and resolutions in the results.
Alternatives
- Google Lens — also finds similar imagesUploads to server
- Internet Archive — see past versions of a pageUploads to server
Last verified 2026-09-29 · Found something outdated? Tell us. · Official site