Google has been our ‘go to’ search engine ever since we started knowing about the internet. Whenever we are to search something, Google is the word we type in the browser’s search bar. That’s how inclined we are to searching through google.
Throughout years, Google has been adding to its features to make the experience better. And it has recently made some changes to the searching experience.
Followed by the complaint filed to European commission by Getty images in 2016, Google has made some changes to the image search this week.
1. It has removed the ‘view image’ option.
2. It has removed the ‘search image’ option.
Google tweeted: “Today we’re launching some changes on Google Images to help connect users and useful websites. This will include removing the View Image button. The Visit button remains, so users can see images in the context of the web pages they’re on. The Search by Image button is also being removed. Reverse image search *still works* through the way most people use it, from the search bar of Google Images”.
Apparently, such changes have been made because of the copyright issues. As the images have been used without citing the source time and again.
Now, with the ‘visit’ option, people will be directed to the website from where the image is sourced. The copyright disclaimer has also been re-written in bigger fonts.
This has provided Getty images with some relief. “This agreement between Getty Images and Google sets the stage for a very productive, collaborative relationship between our companies,” said the CEO of Getty images, Dawn Airey.
This has made the users angry. At least, some tweets indicate so. A tweet reads, “Worst change in the history of mankind.” Others have found why they should opt for Bing or similar search engines where they have ‘view image’ button.
While this makes the legality part stronger, the convenience of people has been compromised with. People can still view the pictures in isolation by the help of ‘open image in new tab option’. But this definitely requires extra clicks.
Google’s search liaison, Danny Suvillian tweeted, “they are designed to strike a balance between serving user needs and publisher concerns, both stakeholders we value.” Since the users don’t seem to be happy, ‘serving user needs’ part is still in question while publisher concerns have definitely been addressed.
