When doing product research for eBay dropshipping, it’s not always easy to find the source of an item you want to list in your store.
You might see a product on a competitor’s site, but have no idea what it’s called. Or maybe you’re trying to describe something visually complex, and keyword searches keep showing you the wrong item.
That’s where AliExpress image search comes in.
Rather than typing vague descriptions or going through endless pages, you can search AliExpress by image to find the exact product or visually similar alternatives in seconds.
With over 111 million products and thousands of suppliers on the platform, AliExpress image search is a blessing for dropshippers looking to find items quickly and accurately.
What is AliExpress Image Search?
AliExpress Image Search is a feature that uses AI to help you find products. You upload an image or use a browser extension to right-click any product photo online, and the tool analyzes it to find matching or similar items available on AliExpress.
The feature comes built into various tools and browser extensions. For example, ZIK Analytics has a reverse image search tool that identifies products and their suppliers from AliExpress and other platforms.
Why Use Image Search on AliExpress?
There are many reasons why you’ll want to search AliExpress by image. Searching this way helps you:
Save time and effort compared to keyword searches
Let’s be honest: finding the right words to describe the product you want can take forever, and oftentimes you won’t even know how to describe that.
Between trying different keyword combinations and filtering through irrelevant results, you may waste 20 minutes or more before finding what you need. Image search lets you upload a photo and get instant matches for the exact item or similar alternatives.
Find products when you don’t know the exact name
How many times have you seen something on Instagram or TikTok but had no idea what it’s called?
Image search solves this by identifying the item even when you have zero details. This works especially well for generic items like phone accessories, home decor, or trendy fashion pieces where you’d never guess the actual product name.
Discover budget alternatives to designer items
Expensive designer products often have affordable alternatives on AliExpress that deliver a similar style at a fraction of the cost. Image search helps you find these products by matching visual features like shape, color, and design. You can compare multiple options side by side and choose the one that fits your budget without sacrificing aesthetics.
Perfect for dropshipping product research
Dropshippers use tools to reverse-search competitor products and find the original supplier and pricing. Upload a product image from any website, and the image search shows you where to buy it on AliExpress. This can be particularly useful when you’re dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay, as you can validate products and calculate profit margins quickly.
How to Search AliExpress by Image (Best Methods)
There are several ways you can search AliExpress by image to find your desired product or supplier:
Method 1: Use Google Lens
Google Lens is a handy image recognition tool you can use to find products on AliExpress.
It’s built directly into Chrome on desktop and also comes as a mobile app you can download from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Here’s how to use it:
On Desktop: Click the camera icon in Chrome’s search bar and drag your cursor to select the product image you want to search. You can also right-click any product image directly and select “Search image with Google Lens.”
On Mobile: Open the Google Lens app, then take a photo of the product or upload an image from your gallery. If you’re browsing in the Chrome mobile browser, you can also tap and hold on images to search with Google Lens.
Google will analyze the image and show you similar products from various suppliers, including AliExpress. You can compare prices and find the best source for your store.
Method 2: ZIK Analytics Item Finder
If you already use ZIK Analytics for product research, you can search AliExpress by image directly inside your dashboard.
To do so, log in to your ZIK Analytics Shopify dashboard and click on the Product Explorer icon on the left sidebar.
Once the Product Explorer opens, you can type a generic name for any product you want to search for. ZIK will then give you a list of items that closely match what you described. You’ll also see a few tabs; head to the seventh tab and click the box icon featuring the AliExpress logo to search for the item by image.
ZIK will then begin the search and show you a list of matching visuals directly from the AliExpress marketplace, along with the potential eBay selling price, buying price, fee, potential profit margin, and ROI.
Side note: You can also use ZIK to search Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and CJDropshipping by image.
Methods 3: Reverse Image Search Tools & Extensions
Many tools and browser extensions also let you find profitable products online via reverse image search.
For example, TinEye is a tool that searches over 78.5 billion images to find where a product appears across the internet. You can use it by installing its browser extension and then right-clicking any image and selecting “Search image with TinEye.” You’ll then see a list of websites hosting that product, along with similar alternatives.
Another option is Reversely.ai, which works the same way by letting you upload or right-click product photos to find matches across the web.
You can also use the AliTools browser extension to search specifically on AliExpress. It’s available for Chrome and takes just minutes to set up. Once installed, you just right-click a product image and choose “find on AliExpress.” Within 6-7 seconds, you’ll get a bunch of listings featuring the same or very similar items.
Method 4: AliExpress Native Image Search Tool
Did you know that AliExpress also has a built-in image search feature that lets you find products without leaving their platform?
Go to AliExpress.com or open the AliExpress app and click the camera icon in the search bar. You’ll now see a pop-up where you can drag and drop an image or upload one from your computer.
Once you provide the image, AliExpress will show you similar products available on their platform with prices and seller information.
Method 5: AI Search Built into Phones
Your smartphone can also help you search AliExpress by image.
Most modern phones come with AI visual search options, either built in or available by default through companion apps. They can recognize products, clothes, or packaging and show visually similar items from across the web, including AliExpress.
- Bixby Vision on Samsung phones — comes integrated into the camera app and is ideal for quick product scans.
- Google Lens on Android — is available through the Google app or built into many camera apps.
- Visual Look Up on iPhones — is part of iOS Photos, perfect for identifying products directly from your gallery.
Find Best Selling eBay Products on AliExpress with ZIK Analytics
AliExpress can feel like a rabbit hole when you’re trying to find reliable products for eBay dropshipping.
Fortunately, ZIK Analytics makes it easy. You can search AliExpress by image, compare supplier prices, and check margins in one place.
ZIK can also help you find AliExpress best sellers and source faster than doing it manually. Plus, you can switch between AliExpress, Alibaba, and eBay to track products, analyze trends, and build your store on the fly.
Ready to experience it yourself? Try ZIK Analytics today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Search AliExpress by Image
In this section, I’ll answer the frequently asked questions about searching AliExpress by image.
Can I search AliExpress with a picture?
Yes, you can search AliExpress with a picture. The platform supports image-based searches through its mobile app and browser extensions. Searching by image helps you find identical or similar products quickly, especially when you don’t have the right words or details to describe them.
How do I search for a product by image?
Use ZIK’s product finder tool to search for an eBay item by image. Enter the name of the product in the search bar and then wait for it to show you relevant listings. You can then click the box icon in the Item Finder column to see visually matched products from AliExpress.
How do you reverse image search on AliExpress?
You can reverse image search on AliExpress using a browser extension or Google Lens. With a browser extension, right-click any image and select “Search goods on AliExpress by this image” to find similar products. With Google Lens, upload or right-click an image to search it visually, then type “AliExpress” in the search bar to see matching results from that marketplace.