WhatsApp will soon allow users to search images on the web directly from app

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Search on Web feature for beta users. The feature will allow users to verify the authenticity of the shared images on the app.

In Short

• WhatsApp's Search on Web feature is out for select beta users
• The global launch is expected to take place in coming weeks
• WhatsApp has structured this feature to be optional

WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature aimed at helping users verify the authenticity of shared images. The feature conducts web-based image searches directly within the app. It is being gradually rolled out to select beta users and can be accessed through the app’s options menu while viewing an image. WABetaInfo has shared details indicating that beta users can now use this tool, which provides an additional layer of security and convenience, particularly valuable in the battle against misinformation.

In an era where digitally altered images and misinformation are increasingly prevalent, this new feature serves as a practical tool to empower users with accurate information. Users often lack immediate access to context, especially when images circulate widely across various channels. By enabling users to confirm the authenticity of images, WhatsApp helps curb the spread of manipulated media and rumours, promoting a safer information environment.

How to use this feature?

To use the feature, users need to open an image in their WhatsApp chat, tap on the three-dot menu icon, and select “Search on web” from the overflow menu. This initiates a reverse image search, allowing users to quickly access additional context about the image—such as its original source or other instances where it has appeared online. This can be helpful for identifying if an image has been edited, repurposed, or presented in a misleading way, making it easier to assess its accuracy.

The addition of this search function reflects WhatsApp’s efforts to enhance user control over the information shared in conversations. With just a tap, users can better understand the origin or background of an image without needing to leave the app, saving time and effort compared to traditional reverse image searches that require downloading the image and uploading it to a search engine. This integrated tool allows users to quickly cross-check images within the app itself, thus adding a layer of transparency and trust in daily communications.

Additionally, WhatsApp has structured this feature to be optional. Users retain full control over whether they wish to engage with the feature. While the image itself is submitted to Google for the reverse search, it is processed solely for the search purpose and is not saved, analysed, or handled by WhatsApp. This design respects user privacy while still offering an added layer of functionality for those who want to verify the content they receive.

Currently, this feature is only available to select beta testers who have downloaded the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store. However, WhatsApp plans to make it accessible to a wider audience in the coming weeks, gradually expanding its reach and providing users with an easy, in-app option for verifying the authenticity of images shared with them.