Surfface is a face-matching and people search engine that helps you find where a person’s photo appears online. It combines reverse image search, knowledge-based lookups, and facial analysis to deliver results. We index only publicly available data. Our approach is built on compliance and innovation. Where legally allowed, we may use facial recognition. In all other cases, we rely on non-biometric methods.

Here’s how it works:

1. Upload up to 5 face photos of a person: Start with a clear photo of the face you want to search. You can also add optional details like a name, email, or social handle. We work with more than just images. The more context you provide, the better the search can perform.


2. Parallel search lanes: Surfface scans public data sources like Instagram, TikTok, and others to look for matches. The system runs two types of searches in parallel:
   
   Image-led search finds exact and near-duplicate images from our internal index and external tools like Google and Yandex. It also uses non-biometric facial filtering to locate visually similar faces based on general traits like age group, hair color, or glasses. In certain jurisdictions, we may search a small vectorized facial database that does not store landmarks or biometric templates.
   
   Knowledge-led search looks for public clues like names, nicknames, usernames, emails, and locations. This helps uncover social profiles, online mentions, and related data connected to the face.
   
   As results come in, our system uses ranking logic and a curation engine powered by AI to surface the most relevant matches.


3. Access results: You’ll see matched profiles, names, and context, along with direct links to the websites or platforms where the images were found.

Surfface is built for responsible use. Every search is tied to a specific case and based only on public data. Whether you're verifying someone's identity, investigating image misuse, or protecting your own images, Surfface gives you powerful tools without crossing lines.

You can adjust your settings to focus on exact face matches or find visually similar people. This is a powerful tool. Please use it consciously and respectfully.

Yes, Surfface offers a free plan with limited access to help users explore the service before committing to a subscription.

• Unregistered users: Receive one free successful search without direct access to sources.
• Registered users: Can perform two free searches per month, each with a limited number of link clicks to external sources.

This free access provides a useful preview of Surfface's capabilities. To unlock more searches, unlimited link access, and advanced features such as flexible search settings, users can upgrade to a personal or business subscription plan.

Reverse image recognition is a search method that uses images instead of text. You upload a photo, and the system looks for visually similar images online, along with links to the pages where they appear. Most tools, like Google Images, analyze the entire photo and are not designed to recognize individual faces. While they can sometimes return helpful results, they are limited in scope. This is where Surfface takes it further.

Surfface is a dedicated face search engine built to find where a specific face appears across the public web. It goes beyond identifying image duplicates. Our system can recognize the same face under different conditions, such as new angles, lighting, hairstyles, or backgrounds. In addition to image matches, Surfface helps uncover public profiles, mentions, and other open-source data tied to the face.

Our search process includes three layers of face analysis. First, we run a standard reverse image search using image hashes to detect exact or near-duplicate matches. Then we apply context-based analysis to locate images that may include the same person, even when the photo has been edited or used in a different setting.

We also apply non-biometric facial analytics that rely on general traits like age range, facial hair, and glasses. This method surfaces visually similar faces without identifying individuals or storing biometric data. To improve ranking, we use a neural model that mimics how people naturally judge facial similarity without using biometric face data.

When needed, and only where legally allowed, we may apply ephemeral facial recognition to resolve uncertain matches. This process is temporary, case-specific, and does not store any biometric templates.

In some cases, we search a small, restricted database of vectorized facial characteristics. These cannot be used to reconstruct the original image and are accessed only when compliant and permitted.

This multi-layered approach increases processing time and cost, but it ensures results are accurate and compliant. To support deeper searches, we plan to introduce a token-based model so users can choose higher resource allocation when needed. Learn more about our search approach.

OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. It refers to the process of collecting and analyzing publicly available data from the internet and other open sources to generate actionable insights. This can include social media platforms, blogs, news articles, public records, forums, and other accessible websites.

Surfface leverages OSINT techniques to ethically gather and analyze information related to the faces found through searches. By using open data only, Surfface ensures that its search results are privacy-compliant while still offering powerful investigative capabilities. OSINT is commonly used in journalism, cybersecurity, law enforcement, due diligence, and personal investigations to find connections, verify identities, or uncover hidden information in a legal and responsible manner.

All data used by Surfface comes exclusively from open sources, such as social networks, news sites, blogs, public websites, and other freely accessible online platforms. We work only with publicly available information and do not access restricted or private data. Our search index continues to expand as the online landscape evolves. We also actively use third-party services, including traditional search engines like Google, to enhance coverage and accuracy. We're a search engine and OSINT orchestrator. Learn more about our search approach.

We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and other popular online payment methods. Enterprise customers have access to customized billing options and manually handled payments through our sales team.

We offer a 14-day, 100% money-back guarantee for personal subscription plans. If you're unsatisfied, contact our support within 14 days of your subscription start date to request a refund: [email protected].

Surfface prioritizes user privacy and follows global data protection standards. By default, we support the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal and handle publicly available information with care. Our practices are aligned with applicable privacy laws in each jurisdiction.

If you have a privacy concern or request, please visit our Privacy & Requests Center.

Surfface acts as a search engine, helping you discover publicly available information and content—including images or profiles that may feature you. If you've found content you'd like to have removed, please understand that Surfface does not host or control the original source of the data. We’ve helped you find it, but we cannot delete it for you.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Go to the source of a photo or information. Surfface shows the sources. Click through to the original website where the content is hosted. It may be:
• A forgotten or inactive social media account you once created.
• A blog or forum post that includes your information.
• A website using your photo without permission.
2. Contact the site owner or administrator. Look for a “Contact Us”, “About”, or “Report” page on the site. You can ask them to remove the content directly. Be polite and clear in your request.
3. Submit a formal takedown request. Depending on your location and the nature of the content, you can:
• File a DMCA takedown request (if the content violates copyright).
• Submit a GDPR request (if you're in the EU/EEA and the content involves your personal data).
• Use the website’s own Takedown or Privacy Request form if available.

⚠️ Please note: Some sites may refuse your request if they legally own the rights to the content, even if you don’t want it online.

A few final notes:

• Surfface cannot remove content from external websites.
• We are not liable for the origin, purpose, or legality of the data you find through our platform.
• All questions or disputes regarding the content should be directed to the website where it is published.

If you have a privacy concern or request regarding the data controlled and hosted by Surfface, please visit our Privacy & Requests Center.

Coming Soon: We’ll Do It For You

We’re building a new service set to launch in 2026: Digital Identity and Privacy Protection. This upcoming solution will manage the entire process of identifying, reporting, and removing unwanted content from the web and data brokers on your behalf. It will also include legal support when necessary, taking the burden off your shoulders. Stay tuned for updates.