Google gives itself an image-conscious update

In a Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) blog post from product manager Nate Smith on July 20, the company announced a gradual--"over the next few days"--rollout of new features in Google Images, a search tool which has seen several add-ons since it debuted in 2001.

The company said the update will "match the scope and beauty of this fast-growing visual web, and to bring to the surface some of the powerful technology behind Images."

The refresh of Google Images will feature:

• A tiled layout that allows users to see more images at once
• Instant scrolling with up to 1,000 images on each numbered scrolling page
• Larger thumbnail previews
• A hover pane, which offers image specs and "similar images" when a user rolls over the thumbnail
• Optimized keyboard navigation, and
• New landing page redirection to show the large image in context, upon clicking an image.

InformationWeek notes that search engine competitor Bing may have something to do with at least one feature in face lift. Bing also has a scrolling search tool, similar to what Google is now implementing.

Along with the new format for image search results, advertisers will now be able to leverage Image Search Ads. "These ads appear only on Google Images, and they let you include a thumbnail image alongside your lines of text," explained Smith.

For more:
- see this Google blog post
- see this InformationWeek article

Related Articles:
A quick review of Google Docs changes
Google shuts down Google Gears for now
Google buys Plink
Google Apps marketplace begins to take shape
Google introduces Google Buzz
New data suggests Google search in a league of its own