From Pandas to Hummingbirds to Pigeons, and now Panda 4.1, Google is always algorithm-ing in order to make the most of search engine results. Then, why, oh why, does it seem that whenever you turn to the web for research purposes, you end up with bum links? Face it. When you have clients who buy articles depending on your research and writing prowess, you need to think outside the Google box.
Enter the world of search by image.
Categories at the top of a Google search engine include Web, News, Images, Videos, and much more. A typical search only involves the web. Normally, you would only slide over to the image category if you were, wait for it, wait for it, Googling for images. This is often the case for writers wanting to add a little graphic flair to an article. But have you considered using the image search for actual research purposes?
An Image is Everything…
…that a writer could ever ask for when doing research. Prepare yourself. While images are often just photos or cartoonish graphics, many images are:
- Infographics
- Charts
- Tables
- Photos from PowerPoint slides
- Linked to videos from news sources
- Google+ posts
- Images embedded in articles relevant to your research
An Example: Panda 4.1
Back to that algorithm. When you do a Google Image search for Panda 4.1, the top results include:
- An image of the Google+ post by Pierre Far, the Webmaster Trends Analyst at Google UK, announcing the latest Panda rollout
- Forbes’ graphic pertaining to the “biggest losers” following the rollout
- Graphics depicting an understanding of how SEO functions
- An image from “5 Crucial Link Building Strategies After Google Panda 4.1” that details how to improve search strategies
Meanwhile, with the old school Web search category the top five search results are all focused on the news and definition of Panda 4.1. While this is valuable information for research, if you want to go above and beyond the regurgitation of information already in existence, add Google Image to your arsenal of research tools.
Tips for Your Toolbox
In addition to finding research for a specific topic, use Google Images to find related topics that can expand your offerings, article-wise. For example, with the Panda 4.1 example, you can see that your search results include info related to improving SEO and search strategies. You may come up with an article about the top offenders of Panda 4.1 or, perhaps, you could create a series of articles related to the rollout, which could transform themselves into a nonfiction eBook dedicated to all things Google algorithms.
One final note. If you plan to actually use any of the images found on Google Image in your articles, make sure that you attribute to avoid copyright infringement.
Miranda B doesn’t always enjoy using Google search. But when she does do it, she makes sure to take full advantage of the many offerings Google’s search engine provides.
