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How to Reverse Video Search & Why You Should Use It
Reverse video searching is more straightforward than attempting to find the origins of a video using specific keywords or phrases. Many reverse video search programs allow you to perform effective reverse video searches that prove to be effective and efficient.
The process is fast, easy to use, and provides extensive results depending on the video you are using. Reverse video searches have vastly improved over the past few years and should not go unnoticed.
In the right situation, it can be a great tool to perform and gather information regarding video origins that would be near impossible to attain. You can find the original version of a video and see when and where it was released.
Table of Contents
What Is Reverse Video Search?
Reverse video search works in the same way as a regular search engine. A traditional search engine works by inputting text and keyphrases relating to your intended result. The search engine finds hits based on what you selected to search.
Reverse video search engines substitute pixels with text. The colors and pixels in the screenshot are collected along with all other video information. This information helps identify videos that are similar to the video you used.
The accuracy of reverse video search engines is not great, but they will still work to help find data that is relevant to your search. If your video was altered, the odds of finding the original video may decrease as the pixels were changed. Results are possible within a few seconds, requiring very little wait time, by these engines are still new and getting constant improvements to improve their accuracy.
Why Use Reverse Video Search?
There are many reasons to use reverse video search engines. You may even require it for your job or hobbies.
Check for Duplicates
If you’re a content creator and you produce videos, others can duplicate and reuse them without your knowledge or permission. Finding duplicate videos on the internet can be tricky without help.
With reverse video search, you can quickly scan to see if anyone has taken your videos and uploaded them without your permission. Once you reverse video search your content, you will see where your videos appear. This can range from generic websites to Youtube.
If you find that someone is using your content without your permission, you can act accordingly. You can either ask for credit or have the video taken down.
Another use is to find content relating to your video. Reverse searching a video will draw up videos relating to your search. The content might be discovered on websites, blog posts, articles, or YouTube. This can be great for drawing up inspiration and new ideas.
Find the Origins of a Video
If you have wondered where a specific video originates, you can find out using a reverse video search. After reverse-searching the video, you may be able to find several other versions online. They also appear with a date; the oldest one will be the original video. You can find the video origins anywhere on the internet. You can also use this method to see if someone is the owner of a video or not.
Finding the Full Version of a Video
Sometimes we need the full version of a video. This can come from an important video that you suspect has been edited or a funny clip that you want to see all of it.
With only a short portion of a video, you can find the full version of it online with the help of a reverse video search engine.
How to Reverse Video Search
Many reverse video search engines perform great. Most work by only using a screenshot from your video; they still provide excellent results without much compromise.
When choosing the singular frame for these engines, it is best to pick a scene that is blur-free and iconic. Choose a scene that has a lot of detail, such as many individuals in the frame, and ignore footage that lacks any detail.
Taking a Screenshot
Taking a screenshot differs if you are on a Windows or macOS.
Windows
- Use PrtScn, or Fn + PrtScn if on a laptop. If you want only one window in the screenshot, try Alt + PrtScn and Fn +Alt + PrtScn for laptop users.
You can save your screenshot in Paint by pasting your screenshot with Ctrl+V and saving the image.
macOS
- Hold Shift + Command + 5. Then you can alter the size of your screenshot, and make any necessary edits in the options tab. Select capture to finish.
If you have wondered where a specific video originates, you can find out using a reverse video search. After reverse-searching the video, you may be able to find several other versions online.
Reverse Video Search With Google
On Google, you will upload an image instead of entering text to find it. First, you need a screenshot. In your video, search for the most iconic frame that you will use to help locate the original video.
- Open Google
- Click on search by image. It is the camera icon on the search bar.
- Locate and upload your image.
After uploading your image, Google will find both images and videos relating to your screenshot. While it is not a reverse video search engine, it supports both image and video results. It is free and works fast.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is another free reverse video search engine with over one billion images and videos. Shutterstock yields the best results when you use it to find videos that resemble your own for finding inspiration.
Their images and videos are royalty-free, meaning you can use their content without worry. Shutterstock also works by using screenshots but provides videos and images in its search results.
- Head over to Shutterstock.
- Click the camera icon on the search bar.
- Search for your image and upload it.
After uploading the image, Shutterstock will begin to find matching images and videos.
To use any image or video from Shutterstock, you will need to pay for it. It is still a great creativity resource for content creators and businesses.
Bing
Just like Google, Bing operates by using images to find image and video results.
- Open Bing visual search.
- Select browse and search for your image. You can also paste an image or URL if you have a link you want to use.
After uploading your image, you will get related search results within seconds.
Using Google and Bing can lead to more results as they both have different databases.
Berify
Berify features the biggest search engine index for reverse video search. They include Google, Bing, Yandex, and many others. This is the best tool to use as it is the most in-depth and provides the most results.
You can do a couple of free searches before having to pay for a subscription charge. It is best to use Berify if you require an extensive log of data.
Due to its effectiveness, Berify is commonly used by lawyers and photographers to gather information.
Using Berify is straightforward, with no hassle.
- Go to Berify.
- Click on the upload image bar and search for your image.
- You will need to sign up for their free trial before you can see your results.
With the free account, you will get 5 free searches. You can also set Berify to inform you if a duplicate image was found relating to your original image.
Searches are scheduled every six months, but it can be a good way to keep an eye out for duplicates of your content.
Berify is best used for professional use as it does cost money to use for better plans. You can search more than one image at a time and get informed of duplicated content faster.
TinEye
As one of the older reverse image and video search engines, TinEye is among the best in using reverse video and image search technology. It applies machine learning and pattern recognition neural networks to help you find similarities on the internet.
- Head over to TinEye.
- Click on the upload button and search for your image.
After uploading, TinEye will take a few seconds to search the internet for images or videos that may match your screenshot.
TinEye is great for finding old videos due to its accuracy and database.
Wrap Up
Using reverse video search can be confusing as you only need a screenshot. Reverse video search engines will use a single screenshot to find other matching videos from the image.
You can use reverse video search to find duplicates of your original work, find full clips of videos, or search for inspiration.
Using an iconic moment from a video provides the best results in finding more relevant searches. Use all reverse video search engines if you do not immediately find what you expected.
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