Reverse Image Search for Reddit

Find the original source of a Reddit image

Most images that hit Reddit's front page didn't start there. A reverse image search shows other pages using the same picture, which usually leads back to the photographer, artist, news article or the first post. When you find it, credit the creator - most subreddits appreciate it, and some require it.

Check whether an image was posted on Reddit before

To see if a picture has already been shared on Reddit, search it and look for reddit.com pages in the results. In Google Lens, you can also type 'reddit' into the box that lets you add words to an image search.

Some subreddits also use repost-checking bots such as RepostSleuth, which compare an image with past Reddit posts.

Spot fake and recycled posts

Old disaster photos, fake screenshots and stolen selfies get recycled constantly. A reverse image search exposes them fast:

• Matches from years ago mean the 'breaking' photo is old
• The same selfie under different usernames points to a stolen photo or a karma-farming account
• An edited version may show up next to the original, revealing exactly what was changed

Why some Reddit images are hard to trace

Reddit recompresses uploads and usually strips their metadata, and many posts are screenshots of screenshots. Crops, filters and added captions all make matching harder. If the first search finds nothing, crop away captions and borders and try again - and try TinEye or Yandex for a second opinion.