How to use Facebook Image Search to find someone

what to know

• Open a web browser and log in to Facebook. Right-click on the image and select Open in new tab (or similar option).
• Copy the middle set of numbers in the address bar or file name.
• Enter https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= Next is the middle set of numbers. Press Enter .

This article explains how to use Facebook image search methods and image ID numbers. It also includes information on how to perform a reverse search in Google.

Facebook assigns a numerical ID to all photos uploaded to the social media channel. By default, images downloaded from Facebook include this numeric ID in their file names. If you know this number, you can use it to find the source of the image on Facebook.

Using this ID number may help you find the profile picture of the person who shared the photo, or the person whose profile you are looking for may be named or tagged in the image.

1. Right-click on the image you want to search on Facebook.

2. Select Open in new tab in Google Chrome.

   If you are using another web browser, select View Photos , View Images , or a similar option.

   

3. Look for three sets of numbers separated by underscores, such as the ones highlighted in this example, in the image's address bar or file name.

   

4. Find the middle number string. In this example, that's 10161570371170223 . This is the ID number you use when looking for images on Facebook.

   

5. Type (or copy and paste) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= into your browser's address bar.

6. Paste the image's ID number directly into the address bar after the = . This example will appear as https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10161570371170223 without spaces.

   

   You can use this method to search for any image, whether online or saved to your own device.

7. Press Enter to go directly to the photo on Facebook and find the profile that posted the photo.

   Privacy settings may prevent you from accessing images on your Facebook page. If the photo is unlisted or the owner has blocked you, you may not be able to view the photo.

You can perform a reverse image search in Google using photos posted on Facebook to potentially learn more about the poster.

1. Right-click on the image and select Search Google for image .

   

2. Select Find Image Source from the Google Lens side panel that displays possible matches for your photo.

   

   Alternatively, you can search downloaded images using Google Reverse Image Search by uploading the image or dragging and dropping it onto the Google Image Search page.

3. Check the list of Facebook profiles linked to this image.

   

If neither of these methods allow you to find someone by image, you can use other tools to perform a reverse image search, such as Facebook or other tools. For example, you can upload an image to TinEye and find out where it appears online.

FAQ

• To clear your Facebook search history, select the search bar, then choose Edit > Clear Search . You can also delete individual searches from Account Center > Your Information & Permissions .
  

• To search for Facebook posts, enter a word or a group of words in the search bar and select Posts . Select Posts From to filter results by posts from your friends, your groups and pages, or public posts.
  

• To prevent searches of your Facebook profile, go to your profile and select Settings & Privacy > Settings . Find the How people find and contact you section (under Audience and Visibility ) to customize your profile search settings.