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Cool Image Search Tricks

Searching Eye

Google Image Search is one of my most commonly used tools. Usually, it is for personal use or social media sharing. I have a habit of finding funny images as a visual response to things people say. I have always really enjoyed the way it gives a more direct interpretation of my reaction, and Google Images is a goldmine of great pictures. Sometimes really obscure ones that would be difficult to find otherwise.

Image marketing is also by far the most effective content marketing method. Website owners are in constant quest for free blog images (those images they can legally use of course).

Because of this, I have been able to find some cool tricks over the years that can be used. These are my personal favorites.

Specify Search Parameters

Specify Search Parameters

Did you know you can specify all the different parameters for results? Just do the image search as you normally would, then click on Search Tools. This opens up a small toolbar that lets you select size, color, type, time it was posted and how it shows results. On the right hand side you can select to filter or allow explicit results. Under the gear button you also have search settings, advanced search (where you can better specify keywords and other elements), web history and get help.

More Info

In the latest version of Google Images you can click on the picture of your choice and it opens up a viewing box in the same window. You can click on More Info and it will take you to a Google Web Search that will contain all the different results that contain the image, so you are able to get some context or different sources that used it. Right click it to open it up in a new tab or window to keep from having to research. You can even open it up in an incognito window to keep it from showing up in your history (the new page, not the search itself).

View Original

Search with Magnifying Glass

Want to get the image without having to go to the actual page it was uploaded to? Just open up the viewing box and click on View Original Image. This will create a separate page that only opens up the selected image. If you do want the original page, just hit Visit Page instead. But keep in mind that, depending on the format of the page, you may have to do some scrolling to find the original image.

Search By Image

Some of you might be wondering what the little camera in the right corner of the search box is. This is an excellent feature callled “Reverse Image Search” that lets you upload or put the Url of an image in, and it will find similar (or the same) image. I have found the original source of pictures I saved ages ago, and it has been very helpful. This is a good way of protecting yourself if you can’t remember if an image was provided under Creative Commons, or not.

Do you have any cool image search tricks to share? Let us know in the comments.

Image Credits: 1, 2.

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About Ann Smarty

Ann Smarty
Ann is a search and social marketer running and promoting her own projects. Ann's expertise in blogging and tools serve as a base for her writing and tutorials.