Traditional text-based keyword searches are inefficient for 74% of customers when finding the right products online. However, much of our current search behavior is based on an erroneous assumption.
We sometimes forget that Google Images accounts for 22.6% of all searches — where traditional methods of searching were not the best fit. But we understand what you’re thinking. The AI image search engine generates very few sessions if any at all. So why should you devote your meager resources to visual marketing?
Because humans are visual beings.
Computer vision services advancements have resulted in a visual marketing renaissance. For example, visual search leader Pinterest reported that 55% of its users shop on the platform. But, how influential are those users at converting?
Visual search can not only drive significant conversions online. In the real world, AI image recognition is also driving digitalization and monetization.
What Is Visual Search?
Using real-world images to produce more reliable, accurate online searches is known as Visual Search. Online sellers can use visual search to suggest thematically, stylistically, or otherwise related to a specific shopper’s behaviors and interests.
A deep learning approach to image recognition enables sellers to understand the context of these images more efficiently, resulting in highly personalized and responsive lists of related results.
These techniques are already being used by major retailers (eBay, ASOS, Neiman Marcus), tech behemoths (Google Lens), and social media companies (Pinterest Lens), and while they are still relatively in their infancy, but the results are compelling.
Why Is AI Visual Search Solution Important?
Our culture is already dominated by the visual; it seems natural to begin searching with an image. After all, when we shop in person, we hardly ever begin with a text. Visual search recreates the experience of visual discovery in the online world.
Google, Amazon, Pinterest, Bing, and a slew of retailers have all developed their Image search engines, and their combined weight will undoubtedly lead to the technology’s widespread adoption very soon.
Although technology is still in its infancy, recent trends show how quickly it can advance. Pinterest’s visual search technology and Google’s visual search are leading the way.
7 Ways To Optimize Your AI-Powered Visual Search Solution
Here are the seven ways you can optimize for AI-Powered Visual Search Solution.
- Offer Numerous Images
Multiple images ensure that your leads can find your products regardless of the angle from which they view them.
By capturing your products multiple times, you will ensure that your target audience finds your website first. This will enable you to generate more valuable leads for your business.
- Choose High-resolution Photos
If you want to attract leads through visual search, you must invest in high-quality images. High-quality photos ensure that Google can match your vision to a user’s search query.
High-resolution photos ensure that your audience can see your product. In addition, it will keep your audience interested and engaged in your product.
- Do Keyword Research
Keyword research is essential not only for search engine optimization (SEO) but also for visual search. Keywords assist you in providing a more detailed description of your product image. In addition, it aids in the appearance of your image in the appropriate results.
Assume you sell sweaters and have a lead looking for a brown sweater. Which keyword do you believe will produce more results, “sweater” or “brown striped cotton sweater?”
The latter keyword will yield more precise results. “Sweater” is a broad term that does not specify what the user is looking for. You have no way of knowing the sweater’s type, color, style, or material.
Keyword research will enable you to locate those long-tail keywords for your pictures. It will also assist you in providing a helpful description of your product to your audience.
- Optimize Image Titles And Descriptions
Keywords in your description aid in identifying the image’s subject. Your target audience will be able to find your products more quickly.
It is critical to include your keywords in your title and description to help your audience better understand your image. It will also improve the visibility of your pictures in relevant search results.
- Add Alternative Text
Include alternative text, or an alt tag, with your images when you upload them. An alt tag is a great place to add information about your photo, and it should be present in every image you upload.
Alt text also aids search engines in comprehending the context of your image. As a result, they will rank your photo correctly because they understand the context of the image.
- Optimize Image Size And File Types
Optimize image size and file types for the best results with your visual search strategy. First, ensure that your image is in the proper size. When sizing your images, keep in mind the various devices that your audience will be using.
Next, reduce the file size. The right image compression software will reduce your image file size without distorting the image’s quality. This will enable you to increase the number of conversions from your visual search strategy.
- Include Captions
Many brands make the mistake of believing that their brand’s image is self-explanatory. You can boost the ranking of your image by adding captions. Through visual search, more people will find your image first. It’s an excellent way to help your audience find your product.
Challenges In Visual Search To Overcome
- Reporting And Attribution
It is not possible to segment search queries to see which ones used an image. This is a significant challenge that has deterred some brands, but it should be resolved soon with Search Console.
- User Behaviors
People are simply not used to searching with images. It may take some time for these behavioral patterns to adapt, especially since taking a picture before submitting it as a visual search isn’t exactly seamless.
- Paid Search Product
It will be challenging to monetize visual search in the same way that text search is because it cannot focus on keywords as directly. However, this hesitancy may be addressed as the industry moves toward audience-based bidding.
Recent Trends In Visual Search Solution
- Integration With Chatbots: Visual search initiates a conversation, which some retailers are taking advantage of it to incorporate a chatbot into the shopping experience.
- Big Retailers Are On Board: Pinterest combines visual and text search, which has broadened its audience. In addition, if visual platforms like Instagram and Snapchat can make the shopping experience as frictionless as possible, they have a natural tie-in with visual search.
- Google Search: It provides more visual experience, both through more images and the redesigned user interface. Google Images resembles Pinterest more and more.
- Visual Search Technology: It is now integrated into many more functions on smartphones. This is a natural progression; currently, having a specific app, click on a position, and then take a picture to access visual search is jarring.
Wrapping Up
Visual search will have an impact that extends far beyond what it was initially intended to do. Whether or not the visual search is suitable for your roadmap, I hope these technological insights inspire you to use more visual, shoppable content in the customer journey – and continue to enhance the customer experience.
If you have a project idea that necessitates intelligent search and recommendation, reach out to an AI solution development company and discuss it. With over 12+ years of experience in the app development industry, Quytech can be the perfect choice for you to develop an AI-powered visual search solution. They have helped businesses across the globe achieve their goals through AI solutions and can help you too.