Google Image Search

[diddlydo]

For a long time I've been able to cut an image in a Word Doc or Pdf, paste it into "Paint" as a jpeg, save it and then upload the file to google reverse image search. Recently only a small percentage of the uploaded images come up with any sensible suggestions even though I'm doing nothing differently, I'm using Windows 7 with Chrome as the browser (I've also tried using IE and a laptop running Windows 10 but the resluts, or rather lack of them, are the same). Any ideas please?

[diddlydo]

Where's Buenchico?!

[Mamyalynne]

As well as 'view image' being changed there is mention of 'Image search' here too.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/15/17017864/google-removes-view-image-button-from-search-results

[Calibax]

I think Google have recently run in to trouble over copyright issues on their images. Perhaps they're restricting which pictures come up on Google search.

[Hopkirk]

Yes, they settled a dispute with Getty Images

https://www.dpreview.com/news/3183939603/google-strikes-deal-with-getty-will-remove-direct-image-links-from-search

[Huderon]

You could try using TinEye instead ... https://www.tineye.com/

[diddlydo]

I've tried the same images on Tineye and get the same no results.

[Buenchico]

As has been suggested, Getty Images (and other stock photo libraries) might have something to do with it.

People were searching for images on sites like Getty, Corbis, et al and finding the watermarked versions of pictures which were being offered for sale. Then (knowing that somebody else might have already paid for the right to use the watermark-free version on their website) using a Google Images reverse-search to track down a copy without paying the stock agency for it. Thus professional photographers (who sell their works through stock agencies) were being defrauded out of their rightful income and the stock agencies were losing their commisssion.

As an aside though, Diddlydo, you've been going the long way round to get the jpeg images you've been searching with. The need to use Paint disappeared when Microsoft introduced the Snipping Tool with Windows 7. (It's still there in Windows 8 & 10 of course). You can use it to grab any rectangular section of your screen and then save what you've got directly as a jpeg file.

The Snipping Tool can be found via Start > All Programs > Accessories but once you've got there it's best to RIGHT-click on it and select 'Pin to Taskbar'. Then you'll always have it available in a single click. (To use it, simply drag a rectangle around the area you want. Then go to File > Save As, ensuring that the file type is set to 'jpeg').

[Mamyalynne]

Google's view image and image serach have changed recently following complaints from people like Getty Images.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/15/17017864/google-removes-view-image-button-from-search-results

[Mamyalynne]

^ ignore repetition

[diddlydo]

Thank you all for your explanations. However I remain mystified as to how a friend can search for the same images as me and find them! Sometimes this works in reverse which is even more puzzling.......