Back in July, I wrote a post about a “Visual Search” engine. Oddly enough, on September 14th, Bing launched their take on Visual Based Search. Unlike Spezify.com where you actually type in a search query, Bing’s visual search has you go through their available topics by photo galleries. These photo images help you really define more specifically what it is you are looking for. Again, since this is in beta, there are currently only 40 galleries offered. Some topics include cell phones, handbags, film legends, and even a gallery for dog breeds. Although it is still in beta, it is definitely worth trying it out and looking at the existing galleries.
Before you get started, Silverlight must be installed in order to view the visual search galleries. Microsoft defines Silverlight as a “cross-browser, cross-platform, and cross-device browser plug-in that helps companies design, develop, and deliver applications and experiences on the Web.” Installing this didn’t take any time at all.
Once installed, you click on the photo album that peaks your interest and it pulls up numerous photos related to the image that you clicked. You can even narrow your search a little further depending on the topic. For example, it has been a mystery in my world, what breed of dog my rescued pup named Sophie belongs too. She’s always been put in the Jack Russell Terrier category, however, Sophie is a 35 pound Jack and with an extremely soft coat. Having a soft coat is not a typical feature of a Jack Russell Terrier, nor is being 35 pounds.
As I selected the dog breed gallery, 161 different dog breeds were pulled up and sorted alphabetically. This was still a bit overwhelming since I know that Sophie is some sort of Terrier, I just don’t know what kind or how many types are out there. On the left hand navigation bar, you can narrow your search even further depending on the topic you select. By selecting the dog breed gallery I could narrow my search by group, size, exercise needs, temperament, etc. Perfect! I selected “group” and it gave me the option of selecting the Terriers group. Once I clicked this, it pulled out all the images of the other types of dogs and only showed me the various terriers. Rather than looking at 161 different dogs, I am now only looking at 27 dogs.
Interestingly enough, one of the breeds stuck out compared to all the others and it wasn’t the Jack Russell Terrier. It was the Smooth Fox Terrier that really caught my attention. Once I selected the Smooth Fox Terrier image, it pulled up all the relevant text ads. It doesn’t just stop there! Not only do you go to a page of text ads, but there are also sub categories to further define your search. The page was populated with text ads about breeders, puppies for sale, terriers for adoption, terriers to be rescued, as well as images and even videos.
Overall, Bing’s version of visual search is very organized and really narrows down the way people search to give the searcher a more relevant query result. Although the galleries are limited at the moment, it will be fascinating to see how they will expand it. While it isn’t a new idea, Bing is definitely headed in the right direction. I’m sure there is more to come. But I ask again…do you think visual search will be the new way to search?
