Google announced a new image search feature that allows users to sort results by category.

Through its official Google+ page, Google announced users can sort image searches by subject to find relevant content more quickly. The move organizes results based on the most popular categories related to the images. Marketers using engaging images as part of a content marketing strategy can add category-relevant metadata to improve their presences in image search.

In the announcement, Google cited the example of a query for “skyscrapers.” After sorting by subject, users see images organized into “cool skyscrapers,” “famous skyscrapers” and “future skyscraper.” Clicking on a category takes users to a SERP for that topic.

Streaming the location of relevant visuals eliminates time spent scrolling down a SERP looking for the right result. Google has rolled out several new features this year to make image search more reliable for users, such as standard SERP image previews and hover-to-expand capability.

Additionally, the search giant is improving standard search to expedite the process of finding relevant image results. Among the features Brafton highlighted is a preview option for visual content that expands thumbnails on SERPs when a user hovers over the picture. A similar feature is available on actual image SERPs.

Joe Meloni is Brafton's former Executive News and Content Writer. He studied journalism at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and has written for a number of print and web-based publications.