What is Picsearch?
Picsearch is a search engine dedicated solely to
finding images on the Web.
Find Images on the Web with Picsearch
I need to note here that images that you find with Picsearch are not free to use any old way
you'd like. Picsearch only provides thumbnail copies of the original images - if you click
on the image link, you'll be taken to the originating site, from which you'll need to
obtain permission in order to use that image.
Finding images on the Web with Picsearch is simple - just navigate to the Picsearch home page
and type in a query. My search for cat
came back with some great results.
Search results on Picsearch are organized in a table layout; below each thumbnail is the size, height,
and width of the originating picture, along with source information. Picsearch also gives you more
search suggestions at the top of the search results page, as well as a text link
you can use to report any offensive images (family filters are great but there's no way that they
can catch everything).
Picsearch also gives you a few advanced search options; just click on the Advanced Search text
link above the main search query bar. You can limit your search by images, animations, black and
white photos, etc. You also are given the option to set your preferences; this is a pretty wimpy
page that gives you a whopping two options (language and results opening in new window or not).
In addition, Picsearch has a few Search Help
tips to give you that might help with your image search.
Picsearch Celebrity Image Directory
Picsearch has a
Celebrity Image Directory that
includes categorized links to popularly searched actors and actresses. I would have liked to seen
more categories here in the directory - not everyone searches for celebrity images all the time.
Picsearch Family Filter
After reading the big build up that Picsearch gives in the
About Us
page about its family filter and how Picsearch is safe for kids and schools, I decided to really put this to the test.
Since About Web Search is a family-friendly site, I won't write the exact search queries I used, but let me tell you -
I found that Picsearch's family filter is a load of bunk. I was easily able to find really naughty pictures with little
or no effort. Whatever family filter Picsearch might have in place, it ain't working so good.
Why Should I Use Picsearch?
Picsearch does pretty much what it says it's going to do - it finds images on the Web for you.
However, I would strongly disagree with Picsearch's claim to be a "family friendly image search engine," and honestly
I would dispute that claim with ANY image search engine - it's just too easy to get past filters. As always, families need
to decide their own Internet usage policies - I suggest that you read over my
Safe
Search Checklist.
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