Ever since image research became computerized, graphically talented, right-brained people have been handicapped by having to use the left side of their brains to translate their visual request into keywords – with predictably mixed results.

An alternative to keyword searching – a visual search engine – is the answer to this paradox.

Visual search, used along with keyword search, can make finding just the right image fast and easy. We’ve been testing a new visual search engine that incorporates the best technology we’ve seen. Visual search should be enabled on our website in January.

What makes our version of visual search better? First, it starts by using a keyword search to narrow search results to potentially meaningful images. Then it re-sorts the results based on visual clues the searcher provides by simply identifying the images that look closest to the one being sought. The visual search engine “learns” from each round of input and continually re-sorts the images, moving the “cream of the crop” to the top of the search results. When the first page of the search results look good, it’s time to scroll through the rest and make your picks. The process takes just seconds.

Visual search is likely to be more effective than trying to narrow a search by using additional keywords. And it’s much better than keywords alone when searching for moods, colors, or open space for layout options.

Other visual search engines we’ve tried accept only one visual sample at a time and don’t learn from additional input. If two or more images are close to the mark, a visual search of each returns dramatically different results. Our technology, on the other hand, lets users refine their search as many times as necessary – the search engine “learns” from each new selection and presents better choices.

In addition, a researcher can easily upload a comp drawing or a picture that is similar to what they need and find matching images in seconds!

We displayed our visual search test site at Picture House in New York City in October. It won rave reviews, with most visitors asking to be notified when visual search goes live on our site.

Visual searching may never completely eliminate keyword searching. For very specific subject matter searches, stand-alone keyword searching remains highly effective. However, I predict that web sites with hybrid visual/keyword search technology will be favored over sites with solely keyword search capability.

Danita Delimont Stock Photography will be on the forefront of this new technology. We hope you’ll visit the site next month to try your hand at visual search!