We have discussed the importance of optimizing for Universal Search in Google and blended search in the other search engines. Just the other day I posted on the fact that I was noticing more and more Universal Search results in the Google SERPs. Earlier today over at Techcruch, Duncan Riley commented about how a recent Google patent where Google will have a method for reading content within images and video. According to Riley:
A patent application lodged by Google in July 2007 but recently made public seeks to patent a method where by robots (computers) can read and understand text in images and video. The extension of the application would be that images and video indexed by Google would be searchable by the text located within the image or video itself, a big step forward in indexing that has not previously been available. The feature that Google is working on may be geared towards not only image search, but local and mobile search as well. The patent application “Recognizing Text In Images” goes on to state: “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.” This has huge implications for Universal Search optimization. From optimizing your videos to optimizing images and books, you will want to ensure that your content, video or otherwise, is well optimized in order to gain visibility in Google results.Labels: Universal Search Optimization |
