While the idea behind TinEye remains the same as most search engines across the web (Input a search query; get some results) it’s the way you search that differentiates it from others. Instead of imputing a textual search query (as with most search engines) TinEye lets you upload an image or  link to its page. It will then search for others based on resemblance (by looking at the pixels in the image). This means no keywords, tags or file names are used to complete the search (just similarity). I find this great as it uses the intrinsic features of images to provide its results.

Another cool product of theirs is the multicolor search lab. This will let you search Flickr’s creative commons database by color and not by subject. The result’s are truly astonishing. You will inevitably be impressed by the number of cool looking photos that come up. What a great way of finding copyright free images!  I truly enjoy these kinds of products as they offer alternative ways to search for content, and sometimes, an alternative is exactly what you need! While many may never use these products, I believe their existence is important. They give us choice, and choice is something of tremendous value!

Multicolor search lab: http://labs.ideeinc.com/multicolr/

TinEye image search: http://www.ideeinc.com/products/tineye/