Microsoft Bing visual search

In a bid to set itself apart from market-leader Google, Microsoft has introduced a "visual search" feature to its Bing search engine. This will allow users to browse results via pictures instead of text.

Visual Search aims to create a unique beta search and essential shopping tool in the areas of travel, health, leisure and shopping by offering an alternative to lists of blue links.

The idea was announced by Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's senior vice president, at the TechCrunch 50 in San Francisco.

"The whole concept is that the world of search is going to change," Mehdi said.

"There will be a more graphic way people will search, and it will pivot how people search."

Whereas traditional search engines list links of search results, Bing's Visual Search will display rows of images of items that can be scrolled through via a slick interface. For example, while a current search on Bing for cameras will deliver traditional results, you now have the option on the left hand side to "Visualize" the search. Clicking on this link takes you to the Visual Search page, which allows you to scour images, not text links, to help you narrow down your search quicker.

Mehdi claimed "Visual Search" would allow users to conduct certain searches faster than the "traditional image search" offered by rival Google and other search engines. He said that in a study, consumers can process visual results 20 percent faster than text results.

"It's like searching through a large online catalogue," the company has been quoted as saying.

Microsoft says Visual Search will be rolled into Bing over the next few weeks with some customers seeing it before others. By the end of September, company representatives say, the feature will be live to all.

Since launching in May, Microsoft has seen Bing have a solid start with its market share growing to 9 percent. Google currently owns 65 percent, whilst Yahoo holds 19 percent.

Speaking to the BBC, investor Ron Conway, who has previously put money into Google, PayPal and AskJeeves said of the new feature, "Competition breeds innovation and this nice little battle between Google and Microsoft is having a huge benefit to consumers."

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