Can I run only Google Lens and skip everything else?

You can start there, but high-risk identity cases usually need an additional face-focused layer.

Is Yandex still useful for reverse image checks?

It can still surface different result sets in some cases, which is why layered search is useful.

Google Lens vs Face Search Tools: Which One Should You Use First?

Start with your goal, not with the tool

If your goal is broad discovery across public pages, general reverse image tools are a strong first pass. If your goal is identity misuse detection, you usually need face-oriented matching sooner.

A lot of frustration comes from using the wrong tool for the wrong stage.

Where general tools do well

Google Lens and similar tools are great at finding indexed pages, visual duplicates, and context-based matches. They are fast and useful when you need a broad map of where an image appears.

They also handle non-face content well, like logos, products, and screenshots.

Where face-focused tools do better

Face-focused tools can surface lookalike crops, profile photos, and repeated identity usage patterns that broad engines miss. They are better for impersonation response and monitoring workflows.

You still need manual verification because false positives exist in every system.

A sequence that works in practice

Use a two-layer method. Layer one: broad reverse image pass. Layer two: face-focused pass on high-risk photos. This gives coverage without burning time on every image in every tool.

Then move into validation and action, not endless searching.

Layer one for discovery breadth
Layer two for identity-specific risk
Single tracker for evidence and status
Weekly follow-up for unresolved items

What to avoid

Do not compare tools based only on screenshot counts. Compare actionability: can you verify, report, and close cases quickly from what the tool returns?

And do not chase perfect coverage. Focus on high-impact exposure first.