Picture Perfect

Searching for images is the second most popular type of search on Ask Jeeves (behind Web Search, of course!). In fact, sixteen percent of all searches now come from our Pictures channel. That’s why we’re excited about today’s roll out of our proprietary image search technology that focuses directly on improving this high-usage area of the site.

The new technology combines several key features:

- A broad depth of coverage and a high degree of image variety;

- Continued development of Ask.com’s widely acclaimed method of identifying authoritative sources and hubs to bring the highest relevance;

- New patent-pending techniques for analyzing images, quality, and content as an additional measure for ranking;

- Zoom related search for images, a terrific new navigation feature, specifically tuned for images;

- Improved Image Smart Answers that extends our vertical improvements to the general web search experience

We hate to toot our own horn, but we really have the best Picture Search service on the Web today.

How do we do it? Here’s a high level overview.

As we crawl the Web, we identify those sites that have a broad representation of images and topics, and then weigh more heavily those sites with topic authority. As a further step, we apply sophisticated image recognition technologies to ensure that the best images rise to the top. The combination offers the best in relevance and variety.

Finally, as an added bonus, we’ve rolled out our Zoom related search for Images.

What is Zoom related search for Images?

Let me show you an example. Do an image search for Bondi Beach. You can see that we provide a great set of relevant images, page after page. Now - see the search refinement options on the right hand side? That’s what we call Zoom related search. This feature provides suggested links to expand, narrow, or relate a search to other names. How does Ask Jeeves come up with these terms? We use advanced concept clustering and related concepts to recognize terms that are associated on the Image Web. You’ll only find this on Ask Jeeves.

Check it out, but be warned Zoom related search is an addictive feature.

Other examples I like:

Rickenbacker: This phrase refers to either the guitar or the aviation hero. Our opening pages include both. Our competitors: there is no variety of topic.

Washington: The man, the state, the monument? The opening page provides good variety, and Zoom related search makes some excellent suggestions based on the concept clustering found on the Internet.

Try a few queries of your own and see how our new image search can help you get the most out of the Image Web.

Happy clicking!

James Jeude, Senior Product Manager