How to Use Facebook Image Search to Find Someone

Locate the picture's Facebook ID number or use reverse image search on Google

By
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss
Writer
  • Pima College
Tricia Goss has been a writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.
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Updated on May 15, 2024
Facebook

What to Know

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

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. Select Open in New Tab in Google Chrome.

    If you are using a different web browser, select View Photo, View Image, or a similar option.

    Screenshot of Open Image in New Tab

  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.

    Screenshot showing file name numbers

  4. Locate the middle string of numbers. In this example, that is 10161570371170223. This is the ID number you will use on Facebook to find the image.

    Screenshot showing image ID number

  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.

    Screenshot of Facebook ID in address bar

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

  7. Press Enter 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 select Search image with Google.

    Search Image with Google option selected on an image in the Chrome web browser.

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

    Google Lens Find image source options from Google Chrome.

    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.

    Exact matches image results using Google Lens in the Chrome web browser.

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.

FAQ
  • How do I clear my Facebook search history?

    To clear your Facebook search history, select the search bar, then choose Edit > Clear Searches. You can also remove individual searches from Accounts 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 select Posts. Select Posts 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 select Settings & Privacy > Settings. Find the How people find and contact You section (below Audience and Visibility) to customize your profile search settings.

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