TinEye is a reverse image search engine developed by Idée, Inc., a company based in Toronto, Canada. Launched on May 6, 2008, it is known for being the first web-based image search engine to use image identification technology instead of relying on keywords, metadata, or watermarks.
How TinEye Works:
- Image Submission: Users can upload an image, enter its URL, or use drag-and-drop functionality.
- Digital Signature Creation: TinEye generates a unique digital signature or “fingerprint” of the uploaded image.
- Matching Process: This signature is matched against TinEye’s index of images to find exact matches, even if the image has been heavily edited.
Key Features and Uses:
- Locate Image Source: Identify the origin of an image and how it is being used online.
- Higher Resolution Versions: Discover higher-quality versions of an image.
- Modified Versions: Detect if an image has been altered or if similar variations exist.
- Fact-Checking: Verify the authenticity of images and debunk fakes.
Index Size:
As of March 2024, TinEye’s index includes over 70 billion images for comparison.
Privacy:
TinEye emphasizes privacy by ensuring search images are not saved, making it a secure and private tool for reverse image searches.