Here is a new image search tool from Google Labs called Swirl. You begin an image seach using typical search terms, but Swirl then presents you with collections that you can explore. The mechanism responsible for the search process are somewhat obtuse – described as similar to face recognition technology. You locate something that is similar to what you are searching for and the “process” allows refinement by presenting similar images. At the end of this focusing process, you are linked to the source for the image.
The Google blog suggests that only certain searches are possible (Image Swirl currently works for more than 200,000 queries). I happened to experiment using the term “badlands” and that search was available. “Macroinvertebrates” was not available. I assume Google will expand the possible searches if the tool is popular.
You can find this experimental service under the Google Labs option.
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