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Image Search SMX West 2009 Case Study Image Search Facts Image Search Volume comScore numbers say that 7+% of all searches take place in image search engines. Other industry figures have suggested the total image search volume is about 15% of all search
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Image Search SMX West 2009 Case Study
Image Search Volume • comScore numbers say that 7+% of all searches take place in image search engines. • Other industry figures have suggested the total image search volume is about 15% of all search • Difference is a lot of image search queries take place within web search
Original Eye Tracking Study Source: Enquiro Research
Blended Search Eye Tracking Source: Enquiro Research
Quick Tip • Don’t look at this site just after lunch …
Basic Site Value Proposition • The images themselves • Learn about what disease you may have • Be better informed when you go to the doctor • Ask better questions
The Problem May 2007 Basic Stats Image Search not a factor in site traffic
Eliminated URL Parameters • Site used parameters on URLs • Typical URL: http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/poisonIvyDermatitis.htm?st=Male_1244,1249,1271, 1248,23517,1247,1246 • Parameters identify which images to show • This one is for adult, male, poison ivy
Example Image Set 2 The same HTML page with different parameters
URL Parameters (cont’d) • The underlying page: /adult/poisonIvyDermatitis.htm was referenced on site with many different sets of parameters • Purpose was to show different image sets based on Male/Female/Child selections • Led to massive duplicate content
Resolution • Moved image identification process to cookies • Parameters no longer needed • Each HTML page represented by one URL • Dupe Content Eliminated
Added Alt Attributes • Before: <img src=“/images/dx/webAdult/acneVulgaris_928_sm.jpg”> • After: <img src=“/images/dx/webAdult/acneVulgaris_928_sm.jpg” alt=“Picture of Acne (Acne Vulgaris) on the forehead”>
Improvement – Stage 1 Oct 2007 Basic Stats Image Search now IS a factor in site traffic
What We Saw Next On December 3rd, the site was not restricted by Google SafeSearch
SafeSearch Policies • You can get them here: http://www.google.com/safesearch_help.html • Key facts: • Google filters pornography and explicit images • VisualDx Health does have some explicit pictures • Google provides an appeal process • Appeal URL is in Google Webmaster Help: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Webmasters/thread?tid=5cb68076e74823d1&hl=en
Tailoring the Message • State the problem clearly • Be direct • Don’t complain • Keep the message as short as you possibly can • Be sure you are OK with someone looking at your site • We sent our request in on December 12th
Improvement – Stage 2 Jan 2008 Basic Stats Image Search now is a BIG factor in site traffic
Thank You! Eric Enge President Stone Temple Consulting eenge@stonetemple.com (508) 485-7751