Traditionally, visual search has referred to strictly image searches. Search engines simply scanned the web for keywords in the ALT attributes attached to images, similar to a text search. Lately, however, visual search has begun to embody the entire presentation of search results.
These new visual search engine startups are constantly being portrayed in the media as ‘going up against’ Google. I certainly don’t feel this is the case. These engine platforms are more concerned with allowing users to create their own user experience, pulling results from their preferred engine/data sources. Clearly, Google’s strength is relevance and rather than attempt to compete with their powerful algorithm, these visual search companies are looking to enhance and/or build upon what’s already there.
To paint a better picture, I’ll focus on one of these startups. SpaceTime is a 3D browser application which organizes your Google, Yahoo, Ask, eBay and other search results into a 3D tabbed view.
As online shoppers and information seekers, we’ve been trained over the last decade to visually recognize quality web pages. Personally, I’ll disqualify pages I know will not contain the information I seek from a quick glance. SpaceTime allows users to quickly browse through screenshots of top results. The added value here is eliminating those additional clicks. There is no need to click through to each of the search listings or click through to additional search engine results pages (SERP).
Here are a few screenshots of SpaceTime search results:
Searchme, a similar startup, takes it one step further and actually highlights keyword density within the screenshot. We’re all interested in finding what we’re searching for with the least amount of effort possible. That’s what these visual search engines are attempting to do; take away some of that effort.
Ultimately, SpaceTime and Searchme are inventing an entirely new category of search, which can, in turn, create new and innovative online marketing opportunities outside of text and display advertising. Despite these startups having a long way to go to catch up with some of Google’s even smallest competitors, they’re something you may want to keep your eye on.
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We love SpaceTime and SearchMe! May I republish on AltSearchEngines.com?
Charles Knight, editor
AltSearchEngines.com
ReadWriteWeb Network
hi, here a visual search engine with a niche focus and a stylish visualization paradigm
http://www.facesearch.com
Thanks for posting about Searchme – we really appreciate it! We wanted to let you know that we’ve just added this cool new feature called Stacks, which lets you collect groups of your favorite web pages and then share them via email, web sites, Facebook, MySpace, and blogs like yours. We’ve also added Searchme Media Search, which lets you search for images or videos from Flickr and YouTube.
Check out our Demo Videos:
http://www.searchme.com/press/press_videos.php
Or check out Stacks in action:
http://www.searchme.com/stacks/
Thanks!
The Searchme Team