Google Image Results has remained the same (or at least without going through major changes) for quite a long time, but now the search engine is rolling out a new interface design and additional functionality.
The latest version includes several new features previously seen on Bing Image Search.
But you might be asking, what is really different and how does that affect me?
Well, there are a couple of new features that, in my view, make the user’s life a lot easier:
• You can now see multiple pages in only one result’s page (up to a 1,000 images!), all you have to do is scroll down for each page. In addition there is the option to see further results
• With the new version you also get thumbnail previews (quite useful if you have high resolution screen) and once you hover over the thumbnails you have the option to see related/similar images as well as information about the image
• By clicking on the image, you are taken to a light box, which is presented on top of the actual page where the image comes from. If you click anywhere outside the image you land on the original page where the image was captured from.
Google has also taken the opportunity to launch a new ad format – Image Search Ads. This format allows advertisers to include thumbnail images alongside their ads, and those are only shown on Google Images, in other words, a great chance for advertisers to reach highly targeted audiences.
Initial reaction from some sources http://bit.ly/googleinterface+ has been negative, in my personal opinion this has enhanced Google’s proposition.
Previously Bing image search was much more useful, however I rarely bothered to get out of my comfort zone (Google) and look for images elsewhere.
So for me, definitely for better!!