Mastering Facebook Visual Exploration: A Step-by-Step Guide

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What to Know

• Open a web browser and log in to Facebook. Right-click an image and selectOpen in New Tab (or similar).
• Copy themiddle set of numbers in the address bar or file name.
• Typehttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= followed by the middle set of numbers. PressEnter .

This article explains how to use a Facebook image search method with the image’s ID number. It also includes information on how to perform a reverse search in Google.

How to Use Facebook Image Search

Facebook assigns a numerical ID to all photos uploaded to the social media channel. Images downloaded from Facebook have that numerical ID as part of the file name by default. If you know this number, you can use it to find the source of the picture on Facebook.

Using this ID number might help you locate the profile picture of the person who shared it, or the person whose profile you are trying to find might be named or tagged in the image.

1. Right-click the image you want to search for on Facebook.
2. SelectOpen in New Tab in Google Chrome.
   If you are using a different web browser, selectView Photo ,View Image , or a similar option.
   
3. Look for three sets of numbers separated by underscores in the address bar or file name of the image, such as those highlighted in this example.
   
4. Locate the middle string of numbers. In this example, that is10161570371170223 . This is the ID number you will use on Facebook to find the image.

5. Type (or copy and paste)https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= into your browser’s address bar.
6. Paste the ID number of the image directly after the= in the address bar. This example would appear as https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10161570371170223 with no spaces.

You can use this method to search for any image, whether it is online or saved to your own device.
7. PressEnter to go directly to the photo on Facebook and find the profile on which it was posted.
Privacy settings might prevent you from accessing the image on a Facebook page. If the photo is not public or the owner has blocked you, the photo might not be viewable.

Reverse Image Search: Facebook and Google Method

You can perform a reverse image search in Google using a photo posted on Facebook to possibly learn more about who posted it.

1. Right-click the image and selectSearch image with Google .
   
2. SelectFind Image Source from the Google Lens side panel displaying possible matches for the photo.
   
   Alternatively, you can search for an image you have downloaded by uploading it or dragging and dropping it onto the Google Images search page to use the Google Reverse Image search.
3. Check the list for Facebook profiles linked to the image.
   

Alternate Ways to Reverse Image Search

If neither approach lets you find someone by picture, there are other tools you can use to perform a reverse image search, Facebook or otherwise. For instance, you can upload an image to TinEye and find out where it has appeared online.

The Best Document and Photo Scanners of 2024

FAQ

• How do I clear my Facebook search history?
  To clear your Facebook search history , select the search bar, then chooseEdit >Clear Searches . You can also remove individual searches fromAccounts Center >Your information and permissions .
• How do I search Facebook posts?
  To search for Facebook posts , enter a word or group of words into the search bar and selectPosts . SelectPosts From to filter results by posts from your friends, your groups and pages, or public posts.
• How do I block searches for my Facebook profile?
  To block searches for your Facebook profile , go to your profile and selectSettings & Privacy >Settings . Find theHow people find and contact You section (belowAudience and Visibility ) to customize your profile search settings.

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