Sometimes the perfect image is easier to show than to describe.
You know that moment when you spot an image and think, That’s exactly the vibe I’m going for — but you have no idea what to type into the search bar?
That’s what Looks Like Search is built for.
Now live on Envato, this new feature lets you search by image instead of keywords. Simply drop a picture into the search bar, or upload one from your device, and we’ll instantly show you similar results from our photo library. No typing, no guessing, no creative block standing between you and what you’re looking for.
Looks Like Search works anywhere you already search for photos on Envato, and it’s coming to the Envato app too. Whether you’re referencing a client brief, moodboarding a campaign, or trying to match a visual style you’ve seen out in the wild, this is the simplest way to get there faster.
How does Looks Like Search work?
Using Looks Like Search is about as intuitive as it gets. On the photo search page, you’ll see a new camera icon in the search bar. Click it, or just drag and drop an image, and we’ll handle the rest.
Behind the scenes, the system analyses the reference image you upload and uses vector-based visual matching to find assets that share its key qualities: composition, color, texture, lighting, and overall style.
The result? A set of photos that genuinely look like what you had in mind, even if you couldn’t quite describe it in words.
Looks Like Search currently supports JPG and PNG files up to 30MB, and it works for both signed-in and guest users. Uploaded images are stored privately and automatically deleted after seven days, ensuring your reference materials remain private.
Designed for how creatives actually search
If you work with visual media, you’ve probably experienced “search fatigue” — scrolling through endless results that are close but not quite right. Sometimes a single reference image can explain what 20 keywords can’t.
That’s what this feature is designed to solve. It’s not just faster; it’s more intuitive.
Imagine you’re designing a travel campaign and have a photo with the perfect lighting and tone, but you need a royalty-free version. Or maybe you’re a videographer sourcing background imagery to match your footage. Instead of trying combinations like “sunset + coastline + muted tones,” you can just drag in the image you already love and let Envato do the visual thinking for you.
And because Looks Like Search is built directly into Envato’s image search flow, it feels natural. No extra tabs, no plug-ins, no new interface to learn.
By popular demand
Like most of our product updates, this one started with user feedback. Creators told us they were losing time trying to translate visual ideas into text searches, especially when working from client examples. Looks like Search fixes that pain point directly, using smart and reliable technology. No gimmicks, no guesswork.
It’s powered by our Marqo vector search engine, which compares images by visual features rather than text tags. The whole thing runs on top of Envato’s existing photo index, so the results you see are instantly ready to download, license, and use.
As with all uploads, content safety is built in: every image you drop in is stored securely, used only to generate your search results, and automatically deleted after seven days.
What’s next for Looks Like Search?
This is just the beginning. The first release focuses on photos, but the team is already exploring how Looks Like Search could evolve — but more on that another time. For now, it’s about one thing: removing the friction between an idea and the asset that brings it to life.
You can try Looks Like Search today on the Envato photo search page or within the Envato app.
Drag. Drop. Discover what you were trying to describe.
Looks Like Search FAQs
What exactly is Looks Like Search?
Looks Like Search is a new feature that lets you find visually similar images on Envato by uploading an image instead of typing keywords. It uses visual matching technology to analyse your reference image and show assets that share the same look and feel.
How do I use it?
On the image search page, you’ll see a small camera icon in the search bar. Click it, or drag and drop an image, and Envato will instantly return results that look like your reference. You can do this whether you’re signed in or not.
Which file types can I upload?
Looks Like Search supports JPG and PNG files up to 30MB each. Larger files or other formats (such as WebP or TIFF) are not yet supported.
Where do my uploaded images go?
Every image you upload is stored privately in a secure location and automatically deleted after seven days. They aren’t visible to other users or indexed by search engines. That’s a privacy and performance choice, baked into the system design.
Does it work in the Envato app?
Yes. The feature is being rolled out across both desktop and the Envato app, so you can search by image wherever you already browse for assets.
What if the image I upload doesn’t return great results?
Try using a clear, well-lit photo that focuses on the subject you care about — texture, composition, or tone all help the algorithm find strong matches. The system is designed to learn and improve over time as more people use it.
Do I need an account to try it?
Nope. Looks Like Search is open to everyone — signed in or not. You’ll just need an Envato account to download the assets you find.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can use it?
No hard limit. You can upload and search as many times as you like, within standard usage guidelines.
Is this the same as Google’s reverse image search?
Not quite. Envato’s version is tuned specifically for creative assets, not general web results. It’s about finding design-ready, licensed photos that match your aesthetic — not where the image originated.
