WhatsApp Web New Feature: You Will Be Able To Do Reverse Image Search To Help Identify Fake Photos

Initially observed in beta testing for the WhatsApp Android app, the reverse image search feature is now reportedly available on the web version.

Users can access this feature by simply selecting an image received in a chat and tapping the option for a reverse image search.

Source : Unsplash/Alexander Shatov

WhatsApp, the widely used messaging platform, has long been a medium where misinformation and fake content can spread rapidly among its vast user base. Malicious actors and hackers often exploit shared media files for deceptive or harmful purposes. To address this issue, Meta is rolling out a reverse image search feature for WhatsApp Web users.

Reverse image search, in simpler words, is you putting a picture in search and then search engines find the places where that particular picture has been uploaded or any similar pictures that resemble it.

WhatsApp Web Reverse Image Search: How To Use It

Initially observed in beta testing for the WhatsApp Android app, the reverse image search feature is now reportedly available on the web version, as per a recent update from WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo. Users can access this feature by simply selecting an image received in a chat and tapping the option for a reverse image search.

Additionally, the "Search on the web" option will appear within the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the chat interface after an image is selected. This functionality allows Google to conduct a reverse image search, tracing the image back to its original source online. By leveraging Google’s vast database, users can verify the authenticity of an image, helping to curb the spread of false or misleading media.

This feature can enhance security by enabling WhatsApp users on both web and app platforms to identify suspicious or misleading content directly within the app, without relying on external tools. Additionally, WhatsApp has introduced an in-app document scanning capability for its iOS users. This new functionality removes the dependence on third-party scanning apps, making it more convenient to scan and manage documents seamlessly within the platform.