Google Goes Reading for Text in Images

Once upon a time, using images on a web page to display text was a major SEO "no-no" as search engines were unable to index pictures and graphics. A Google patent application suggests that "text in image" indexing may soon be a reality.

As revealed by a Google patent application that surfaced this week, the search giant is working on OCR (optical character recognition) technology that could revolutionize the future of search.

The concept behind the patent application could see Google indexing text in any "digital images" which would significantly increase the search engine giant's index and improve the search-ability of its various other media search databases (image, video etc).

According to the "Recognizing Text In Images" application:

"Digital images can include a wide variety of content. For example, digital images can illustrate landscapes, people, urban scenes, and other objects. Digital images often include text. Digital images can be captured, for example, using cameras or digital video recorders. Image text (i.e., text in an image) typically includes text of varying size, orientation, and typeface. Text in a digital image derived, for example, from an urban scene (e.g., a city street scene) often provides information about the displayed scene or location. A typical street scene includes, for example, text as part of street signs, building names, address numbers, and window signs."

The real draw card of this technology is the potential impact it could have on Google's universal search. Suddenly more of its indexed content becomes accurately searchable and this allows for a greater level of convergence between Google's various search services.

While the technology is probably some time off (so don't abandon your commitment to using text for SEO purposes), accurate "text in image" search does open up a world of possibilities. Stay tuned to see when Google puts its patent application into action.

News Source: INeedHits.com

Google Changes its Ranking Algorithm?

In the New Year, Google seems to be changing their algorithm and making the search results more time related. The leading search engine has been ranking items from popular sites like Digg higher than factual or historical sites like Wikipedia. Is this a move towards a Web 3.0? In other news, Kara Ratliff reports that Yahoo’s Chief Performance Expert, Steve Souders plans on joining the Google team on January 7th, 2008. For more details of the news, keep watching WebProNews.



Find more at: http://videos.webpronews.com/2008/01/07/google-changes-algorithm

Interesting Search Trends from Google, Yahoo & Ask.com for 2007

Google, Yahoo! and Ask.com have released their end of year guides to the hottest online searches in 2007. The guides detail the fastest rising (and falling) search queries conducted throughout the year.

Google
Google's popular end of year roundup, the Google Zeitgeist, receives its own micro site on Google.com which can be seen here. Google break down their top searches into different categories, but provide an overall summary of the fastest rising and falling searches on Google.com.

Fastest Rising (global)

1. iphone
2. badoo
3. facebook
4. dailymotion
5. webkinz
6. youtube
7. ebuddy
8. second life
9. hi5
10. club penguin

Fastest Falling (global)

1. world cup*
2. mozart
3. fifa
4. rebelde*
5. kazaa
6. xanga
7. webdetente
8. sudoku
9. shakira
10. mp3
*featured in 2006 fastest-rising list

For U.S. residents, you may also be interested to see how your searching habits compare to that of the rest of the world.

Fastest Rising (U.S.)

1. iphone
2. webkinz
3. tmz
4. transformers
5. youtube
6. club penguin
7. myspace
8. heroes
9. facebook
10. anna nicole smith

Yahoo!
Yahoo! was the first search engine to release their "Top Trends in Search" report for 2007. Like Google, Yahoo! breaks down their top search queries into different categories.

News Stories - top 10 news stories

1. Saddam Hussein
2. Iran
3. Iraq
4. President George W. Bush
5. Oil and Gas prices
6. Barack Obama
7. Hillary Rodham Clinton
8. San Diego Fires
9. Afghanistan
10. Virginia Tech

Grass is Always Greener - top 10 environmental searches

1. Recycling
2. Global Warming
3. Freecycle
4. Earth
5. Pollution
6. Al Gore
7. Environmental Protection Agency
8. Live Earth
9. Hybrid Cars
10. Solar Energy

Celebrity Downslides - top 10 troubled stars

1. Britney Spears
2. Paris Hilton
3. Anna Nicole Smith
4. Vanessa Anne Hudgens
5. Nicole Richie
6. Amy Winehouse
7. Rosie O'Donnell
8. Tara Conner
9. Michael Vick
10. Owen Wilson

It's always hard to directly compare search engines as the categories used often differ somewhat, so for a full recap on the Yahoo! trends head over to the Yahoo! website: http://buzz.yahoo.com/toptrends2007/

Ask.com
While MSN are yet to release their 2007 trends, Ask.com have been the only major search engine to give an overall top 10 list, so here it is:

Ask.com's Top Searches of 2007

1. MySpace
2. Dictionary
3. Google
4. Themes
5. Area Codes
6. Cars
7. Weather
8. Games
9. Song Lyrics
10. Movies

Posted on the Ask.com blog, the list is followed by an interesting comment;

"Yep, MySpace was the big one...In fact, I believe it was #1 last year as well. Bebo? Orkut? Facebook? Nowhere to be found. The other nine are a pretty good survey of how people use the Internet.

...Including a certain competitor/partner in the #3 slot. But what can we say? Our list is as straight as it comes--we tell it like it is. And maybe--just maybe--if *other* search engines showed us their lists of top searches...we might see Ask.com in theirs as well."

For a full rundown on Ask.com top searchers, including other categories, visit the Ask.com blog.

So there you have it, the top searches you conducted during 2007. Do you think the lists accurately reflect online buzz during the year? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Source : ineedhits.com