Image Verification & Reverse Search
Verify authenticity, find original sources, and detect manipulated images using OSINT techniques.
In an age of deepfakes and manipulated media, image verification is a critical OSINT skill. This tutorial teaches you how to authenticate images, find their original sources, and detect digital manipulation.
You'll learn to use reverse image search effectively, analyze image metadata (EXIF data), detect editing artifacts, and track how images spread across the internet.
These skills are essential for journalists, fact-checkers, and investigators working to combat misinformation and verify visual evidence.
TinEye
Specialized reverse image search with timeline and modification detection
Find in directory →Yandex Images
Russian search engine with powerful facial recognition capabilities
Find in directory →- 1
Upload or paste the image URL into multiple reverse image search engines
- 2
Sort results by date to find the earliest appearance of the image
- 3
Extract and analyze EXIF metadata using tools like ExifTool or online services
- 4
Check for signs of manipulation using error level analysis (ELA)
- 5
Look for inconsistencies in lighting, shadows, and perspective
- 6
Verify location details using geolocation techniques if landmarks are visible
- 7
Track the image's spread across social media platforms
- 8
Document your findings with screenshots and timestamps
Always use multiple reverse image search engines - they have different databases
Crop to specific sections of an image if full image search yields no results
Check EXIF data for GPS coordinates, camera make/model, and timestamp
Be aware that EXIF data can be easily stripped or modified
Use TinEye's modification detection to see if images have been altered
Save original images before platforms compress them
Check for reverse of the image (mirror/flip) - manipulators often flip images
Yandex excels at facial recognition compared to other search engines
Share your own tips or learn from the community's experience
Share Your Tip
I've found that combining multiple reverse image search engines in parallel significantly improves results. Don't rely on just one!
Always document your methodology step-by-step. This helps with reproducibility and explaining your findings to others.