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Google Introduces Improvements to Google Images

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Back in 2001, Google indexed approximately 250 million images. Today, that index has grown to over 10 billion. With the immense growth of image content, it has become necessary to provide faster and easier methods; to find precisely the right picture.

“We see images as a major source of inspiration, a way of connecting the world—and their growth is showing no signs of slowing down. We’ll work to make sure Google Images continues to evolve to keep up.” -Google Blog.

First, the evolution of Google Images acquainted us with, clip art, line drawings, faces and colors. Now, Google has introduced even more sophisticated computer vision technology; which it uses to power the “Similar Images” tool and “Similar Colors” refinement.

  • “Similar Images” tool: This technology can recognize that there are nine subspecies of leopards, each with a distinct pattern of spots, and return image results of a particular subspecies; even if an image isn’t properly labeled.
  •  “Similar Colors” refinement: If your search is for “trucks”, and you refine your results to “red”, what you really want returned are the images of red trucks; not the surrounding image.

Over the next few days, Google will be updating Google Images “to match the scope and beauty of this fast-growing visual web, and to bring to the surface some of the powerful technology behind Images.” Here are six (6) more changes, you can look forward to:

  1. A tiled layout designed to make it easy to look at lots of images at once.
  2. You can now get up to 1,000 images, all in one scrolling page.
  3. Larger thumbnail previews, on results pages
  4. Mouse over a given thumbnail image, and you get a larger preview, more information and other image-specific features; such as “Similar images.”
  5. Once you click on an image, you’re taken to a new landing page that displays a larger image. The website hosting the image, is immediately visible behind it.
  6. Optimized keyboard navigation for faster scrolling through many pages. Utilizes standard Web keyboard shortcuts, such as Page Up/Page Down.

This is all very nice. Thank you Google. But, I am certain the research, development and maintenance of this new technology; cost/s money. Turns out I might be right. You probably won’t be surprised to learn, that the advertising giant has something new for ad clients. Google is launching a new format, called Image Search Ads. These ads will only appear on Google Images, and allow ad clients to include a thumbnail image; alongside lines of text. Chaaa…Ching!

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Posted in Advertising, Search Engines | 1 Comment »

Google, Metaweb and the “Real World”

Monday, July 19th, 2010

“Over time we’ve improved search by deepening our understanding of queries and web pages.” And, will continue to “apply our understanding of the web to make search better.” – Google.

googlebot Google, Metaweb and the Real WorldGoogle suggest that the World Wide Web consists of much more than words. It contains relevant information about real world people, objects, places and “things”. Google believes that by understanding the relationships between real people and real events in the world, it will help them consistently deliver more relevant information. Hmm…sounds like a lot of emphasis on “real world”. It reminds me of an earlier discussion we had, on What You Can Expect From Google Me:

“The impression given, is that Google is working diligently on something that could mirror Facebook; but more closely model our real-life interactions. With this in mind, Google likely plans to include some of the (important) missing elements; that would allow our online lives to better emulate our real-world experiences.”

With the amount of varying information that continues to grow on the Web, it has become increasingly important for website owners to consistently locate and present; the most dependable content for their Internet audience. By showcasing the most reliable, rich and relevant information, website owners steadily promote user loyalty; and encourage return visits.

Enter MetaWeb.

multi media Google, Metaweb and the Real WorldMetaweb describes itself as a “content integration network, which enables site owners, publishers and developers to easily and intelligently add content from across the Web.” Google has indicated that they are “excited about the possibilities“, and hopes that further contributions to the development of Freebase; will provide a more rich Web experience for everyone. No kidding! The Metaweb (free and open) database contains valuable  information about (more than) 11 million “things”. These “things” include movies, books, TV shows, celebrities, locations, companies and much, much more. Wow! Talk about a treasure trove of real-world information, and a possible rival to the data currently collected and stored; by (search, advertising and social networking rival?) Facebook; whose 400 million users, share (approximately) 25 billion pieces of “real world” content, including web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.; each month.

Stop and consider this… Does Metaweb contribute the important missing elements, that Google (Me) needs to “allow our online lives to better emulate our real-world experiences“; and equalize the advancements that Facebook has made in search, advertising and social networking? If so, it will be because the Metaweb bounty, helps Google better understand the relevancy of facts, relating to real people and real events; in the “real world”.

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Posted in Search Engines, Social Media, Website Content | 1 Comment »

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