How-to

Duplicate photos vs copies on the web

A local duplicate finder compares files in your library. Web reverse image search looks for indexed online copies; the results are not interchangeable.

If your goal is to recover storage, begin with your photo library’s duplicate review tools. Uploading private albums to a web search engine does not help establish which local file to keep.

Distinguish exact files from similar edits

Two files can look identical while differing in resolution, metadata or compression. A burst sequence can contain intentionally different moments. Review the dimensions, edit history and preferred version before deleting anything.

Preserve originals before merging

Make a backup and use a reversible review process. Avoid deleting a larger original because a smaller export looks similar on screen. Check whether the library retains a recovery window and understand what a merge operation actually keeps.

Use web search for publication questions

If you want to find reuse or a source offering an authorised higher-resolution copy, use a copy-oriented engine and inspect the source’s terms. A larger image found online is not automatically available for reuse. Read how reverse image search works.

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Try the fictional example, or run a consented API test. Paid searches are disabled.

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