​Both Google and Bing altered their image search filters to achieve their unique goals - which update is best for businesses?

​Google released an image-search update in January 2013 that brought high-resolution pictures directly into SERPs. Unfortunately, image quality is so high that few web users see the point of clicking through to host sites. According to Define Media Group, image search traffic dropped 63 percent after Google’s user interface was released. Websites that optimized their pages with SEO content to increase visibility for their graphics experienced declines of approximately 80 percent.

Consequently, Bing took a different approach when it updated its image search function in April 2013. Microsoft’s own search engine integrated its filtered search technology with Pinterest, helping people easily pin content they love from search results to specific boards. While at first glance this may seem to harm websites just as much, Bing makes sure to automatically attribute pinned social media content to the original, high-resolution source. Therefore, web users creating Pinterest boards for inspiration on what to buy or create can use Bing’s search to filter through their options, pin their favorites to Pinterest and, when it comes time to convert, access the original sources through links on Pinterest.

All-in-all, this creates a dynamic lead-nurturing process and helps companies engage their audiences across multiple touch points.

Ted Karczewski is an Executive Communications Associate at Brafton. He works to develop his own voice and apply his passions to the evolving world of SEO and content marketing, but he doesn't shy away from writing for fun. After graduating from Suffolk University, Ted used his Communications degree to test out Sports Journalism before Marketing at Brafton.