I have already blogged that I receive hundreds of visitors from Google Image Search and that this could be a source of free traffic for anybody if used correctly.
As seen to the left, now my blog (and my image) comes up first when you search Google Images for the keyword ‘lost‘. Previously it’s been coming up second. Now that my image comes up first, I have been getting even more clicks. Around 500-700 unique daily, of which around 300+ visits the blog.
New type of Advertising anyone?
I was thinking why nobody advertises on Google Images (putting ads on the surface of images). I think it would be really cool if this kind of thing could kick off. Stock image providers could benefit the most, since their pitch would work better on the images. They could put an ad like this: “Need more images like this? Login to www,oursite,com”.
If such a thing could start, then I am sure this is what John Chow would want ;) (His photo on No.1 spot for the image search keyword: “make money online” ;)
Update (August 2007) My image no longer ranks No.1 on Google Images. I had my share of traffic while it was up there on No.1.
Hmm… this could make for a very interesting experiment and could be a new source of traffic. Make an image and name it the keyword you want. Put the image on a page with the URL and title of the keyword you want. Put alt text in the image with the keyword you want. Wow!! What a great idea. Then all you have to do is do this with a picture of an attractive lady and there you go. You’ll see your traffic sky rocket! Thanks for the idea Ades! I am definitely going to experiment with this! =]
Hi Phishie, if you try this, let us know about the results and findings. It would be something interesting to read.
I don’t know Ades. Whenever I use Google image search, I click on the “see full size image” link at the top without even noticing the actual site. Phishie will jump on any idea, so I can’t wait to see all the half-naked women he puts on his blog!
Hi Spud, what I meant was that to put ads on the image itself and not on the page. That way you could sell spaces on your top ranking images ;)
I would not encourage phishie to use those kind of images. It’s just not right.
Sorry, yeah I’m surprised advertising on image search isn’t already happening. My last comment was in reference to whether or not traffic from an image search actually takes a look at the site or goes straight to the image and never comes back.
I do the same, just click on the image link without looking at the page. But in general, people are still looking at the pages. As I have reported in the post, out of 700+ users, about 300 users who are looking for “lost” pictures, still see the page that the image is located. So naming the images properly and adding descriptions in the alt tags just might increase your traffic.
The whole premise of this idea is that you’re image is going to be displayed at or among the top placed images on Google Images but is that really likely? It is not even possible to submit an image to Google for placement in Google Images. Also, I’ve read that Google only refreshes content in Google Images every few months or so.
Although my bicycle advocacy website (RideTHISbike.com) has a very high rank on Google, my photos are no where to be found on Google Images. I’m very careful to title and tag all my webpages and photos appropriately too.
Thanks for the interesting information on image advertising.