Sherlock: AI Face Search
Sherlock: AI Face Search is an iOS mobile application that leverages artificial intelligence to perform instant reverse image searches of faces. Users simply upload a photo or take a picture, and the app rapidly scans publicly available online sources—such as social media profiles, news sites, forums, and blogs—to locate matching images. This allows users to find where a particular face appears on the internet, uncovering linked social accounts, online mentions, or other publicly accessible data. The app employs advanced facial recognition algorithms that analyze the unique features of a person’s face, rather than relying on image metadata or general object recognition. This yields highly specific results, enabling users to identify individuals even when the background, angle, or lighting in the photo differs. The search process takes only seconds, and results are displayed with links to the source pages, making it easy to explore the context in which the face appears. Key features include a user-friendly interface designed for non-technical users, real-time notifications (optional) for new appearances of a tracked face, and privacy measures such as not storing uploaded photos permanently on servers. The app follows a freemium model: a limited number of free searches are provided, after which users can subscribe for unlimited access or purchase additional search credits.
- Category
- Search
- Pricing
- Freemium
Problem solved
Online interactions often lack transparency—people may use fake photos on dating apps, social media, or marketplaces, making it difficult to verify identities. Sherlock solves this by allowing anyone to instantly check where else a face appears publicly on the web, providing a quick way to confirm if a person is genuine, discover hidden social profiles, or detect fraudulent activity.
Use cases
- Verifying whether a dating app match is using genuine photos by checking if their image appears on other social platforms.
- Finding the social media profiles of a person you met at an event but only have a photograph of.
- Monitoring the internet for unauthorized use of your own photos to detect identity theft or fake accounts.
- Reconnecting with old friends or relatives by uploading an old photo to see if they have recently appeared online.
- Investigating the identity of a suspicious seller or buyer on an online marketplace by searching their profile picture.
Audience
- Hobbyists
- Business Users
- Content Creators
Pros
- Extremely fast face matching, delivering results in seconds.
- High accuracy using deep learning–based facial recognition.
- Simple, intuitive interface suitable for non-technical users.
- Freemium model allows free trials before committing to a subscription.
Cons
- Privacy and ethical concerns around searching for individuals without their consent.
- Limited to publicly available data; private profiles remain hidden.
- Free usage is heavily restricted, requiring payment for regular use.
Official website: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sherlock-ai-face-search/id6756683188
Canonical LambdaBase page: https://www.lambdabase.com/tools/sherlock-ai-face-search