Google has expanded its consumer image search engine to include ‘similar results’ – additional images that the user may find useful.
Google says that the feature will be particularly useful when a user searches for a word that has two meanings, such as Jaguar, which can mean the animal or the car. Clicking the ‘similar images’ link below an image will bring up pictures that share certain characteristics, such as shape a colour.
The project was announced in April this year when Google revamped its Labs platform – where the Internet giant can showcase the latest projects it is working on. A limited number of users can then test the products and provide feedback. ‘Similar images’ has now graduated from Labs to being a permanent fixture in Google Images.
The rollout will be gradual so not all users will have immediate access to it.
The firm has also launched Product Ideas for Google Images, which it says will enable members of the public to leave feedback on ideas and even suggest new products for development.
“With Product Ideas, you can post comments that will be seen directly by members of the Images team, as well as vote on ideas that others have submitted. We’ll pay special attention to those ideas that are voted to the top of the list,” said Google software engineers Erik Murphy-Chutorian and Chuck Rosenberg on the Official Google Blog.
