By Richard Gerretson-Cornell

How Image Recognition Is Changing Social Media Marketing

It’s no doubt that the online world today is a highly visual habitat.

In fact, the search giant Google demonstrated this only a few years ago when they tested over 40 different shades of blue within their logo and measured how consumers reacted. As it turns out, the purplish blue shade that we see today has reportedly earned the company an extra $200 million.

Furthermore, consumers generate and share over 3.2 billion photos daily on various social platforms, while other studies prove that visual content has significantly higher engagement rates.  

However, all this image sharing has come at a cost to marketers as roughly 80% of visual posts fail to contain text or hashtags that can be easily transferred into actionable data and marketing intelligence. This can be a missed opportunity for marketing professionals and advertising agencies to communicate with their audiences. You’ve probably heard that a picture can tell 1000 words and more often than not, images shared on social media can reveal consumer behaviours, lifestyle, opinions, wants and needs, therefore allowing for strategic marketing decisions to be made. However, until recently, the process to uncover these insights was lengthy and mundane. Advancements in image recognition technology have transformed social media marketing for both retailers and their consumers, allowing for deeper consumer insights, brand tracking, improved customer service and frictionless buying.

Consumer Insights

Studies show that visual content is approximately 40 times more likely to be shared in comparison to text-based content. With images rapidly replacing text thanks to the rise social media platforms such as Instagram, it is essential that brands and their marketing teams look to visual cues to gain a comprehensive understanding of their potential and existing customers.

Image recognition and visual intelligence have great benefit for marketing teams to uncover consumer insights and drive specific behaviours. Visual intelligence refers to discovering patterns by analysing visuals and the elements incorporated in them (such as objects, products, logos, people, context, background, colours and) in order to understand the factors that may contribute to consumer engagement. Such an analysis can therefore provide insights that can be transformed into relevant communication messages and enhanced consumer experiences.

For example, if you’re Coca-Cola it would be helpful to know that images of your product are often accompanied by other visual elements such as sporting events. This insight can then go on to inform promotional content, sponsorship opportunities, product development, creative, messages, in-store placements and more, that truly resonate with your consumers.

Brand Tracking

Image recognition technology can also have a great benefit on brand tracking. In fact, such tools have the capability to scour the net and social media platforms to locate a broad range of images that contain brand logos and associations. Facebook is one of many companies that have been working on such technology that can be trained to pinpoint images of a brands logo, products and related objects. It is inevitable that as this technology progresses, the potential it will have on market research will be immense.

Being able to track brand-related images can help with the unpredictable conversations around your brand, find appropriate social influencers, determine whether event sponsorship or product placement investments were viable and even discover counterfeit and fraudulent logos that have reportedly cost EU brands over $28 billion in lost profits.  

Social Customer Service

Image recognition and visual intelligence can also have a great impact to improve customer service via social media. For example, it is not uncommon for consumers to post their positive and negative brand experiences and products on their social accounts and it is no surprise that word of mouth and peer influence can have a profound effect on businesses.

For example, imagine a customer has ordered a pair of new shoes that arrived at their doorstep late, damaged or was the incorrect item. A photo expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction could easily appear online and potentially not include hashtags or text that would make the image easy to locate. In such a situation, it can be difficult to rectify the issue in a timely manner further exacerbating the customer’s frustration and potential negative connotations. However, with image recognition, logo detection is made possible and the brand can maintain exceptional customer service and demonstrate a more positive brand experience.

Frictionless Buying & In-App Purchases

Image recognition technology also has the potential to simplify the buying process for customers. Instagram is already experimenting with allowing brands to tag their products in images, making it simple for consumers to go directly to the product page to purchase with a simple tap. 

As the technology around image recognition advances and as augmented reality becomes more common in consumers every day lives, predictions also suggest that the two technologies will merge, allowing consumers to shop instantly. For example, Pokémon Go became a huge phenomenon in 2016 with its augmented reality capabilities, but imagine watching a coveted runway show on your smartphone device that has the ability to instantly recognise the products and allows you to interact with it and purchase it.

Billions of images and videos are posted to social media accounts every single day and such visual cues can be a goldmine for marketers. Due to advancements in image recognition technology, brands are able to uncover consumer insights like never before, track and monitor their brands on social media at an unprecedented pace and stay vigilant to provide exceptional customer service and brand experiences. As image recognition strengthens, so too will its capabilities, with in-app buying already on the radar further cementing the technology as a fundamental component of a social media marketing strategy going forward.

Get In Touch With The Experts

At RGC Digital Marketing, we offer a range of digital marketing and social media marketing services in Sydney. Our team utilises a range of social media tactics to connect consumers to brands. To find out more, please contact Richard on (02) 8883 2988 or email richard@rgcadvertising.com.au

Why Choose WordPress: Unveiling The Secrets Behind Its Popularity And Benefits
Why QSR’s need to serve up Engaging Social Content
How SEO & Advertising Work Together For Results
Post-Pandemic Digital Marketing Trends That Are Here To Stay
Top Local SEO Statistics To Watch In 2025
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore The Role Of Social Media in Brand Building
Amazon’s Impact On The Retail Industry
A Guide To PPC Advertising
SEO in 2023: Stay Ahead With Cutting-Edge Trends & Proven Best Practices
Why You Need A Digital Marketing Strategy—Not Just A Website
How Can Online Marketing Strategies Rev Up Your Digital Presence In The Automotive Industry?
Digital Marketing Hacks to Grow Your Business on Instagram’s New Shop Tab
How Virtual Reality is Changing Digital Marketing in Real Estate
What a COVID-19 Second Wave Will Mean for Marketers
RGC Wins Silver at the 2016 W3 Awards
Importance of Personalisation in Digital Marketing
Instagram Shopping Helping Retail | Instagram Advertising Agency
RGC Won Website Feature Silver Awards For Client Websites
Need A Web Design Agency In Sydney? Here’s Why They’re Worth Your Time
Revolutionise Your Service Marketing: Powerful Strategies for Success
Content Marketing Trends Of 2025
Not Sure Whether to Hire a Digital Marketing Agency? Here’s Why You Must
How To Choose The Right Platform For Your Ads
Google’s October 2023 Core Update Explained
Discovering The Purpose and Power of Different Blog Types
Mitsubishi Electric and Sika join RGC
How Digital Is Changing Retail
Steps To Creating A Successful Digital Marketing Strategy
Should Your Small Business Invest In Web Design Services?
RGC Wins 2016 WebAwards for Sika Retail
How Digital Marketing Will Change Post Covid-19
How can a website help the automotive industry | Web Design Agency
LinkedIn Announces Removal Of Native Carousels – What It Means For You
Digital Marketing Trends Set To Make An Impact in 2024
Why Your Medical Clinic Should Invest In Digital Marketing
What Is Off-Page SEO & Why Is It So Important?
Content Creators: Why Their Jobs Are More In Demand Than Ever
How Data is Fueling Digital Marketing in Automotive
6 Engaging Content Marketing Techniques For Medical Practitioners
RGC Wins at the 2017 Best Mobile Application Awards
How QSR’s feed their audience’s appetite for online food delivery
Win Local Clients with Local SEO Services | Local SEO Agency
5 Clever Ways to Build Your First-Party Database in a Cookieless World
2025 Digital Marketing Statistics: What Businesses Must Focus On
Your Go-To Guide To Writing Killer Content
ChatGPT: The Transformative AI System Changing The World of SEO
10 Tips To Increase Conversions With Web Forms
The Evolution of E-Commerce in 2020
What Role Does Content Play In An SEO Agency’s Strategy
8 Compelling Reasons To Choose Custom Web Design
How Smart Speakers Are Amplifying Sales In The Retail Sector
SEM vs. SEO: Which Is Right for You?
5 Ways A Digital Marketing Agency Can Transform Your Business In 2025
How Can A Digital Marketing Agency Boost Your Ecommerce Sales?
The Importance Of Website Design In Building Your Brand
6 Important Elements You May Have Forgotten In Your Web Design
5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs To Invest In Social Media Marketing
The Future Of Search: Inside Google’s Project Magi
7 Simple Content Writing Tips To Master In 2023
15 Powerful Local SEO Statistics You Can’t Ignore in 2024
Building A Strong Link Profile: Google’s Approach To Off-Page SEO
Programmatic Advertising Increases Customer Value for Insurance
SEO News: Google’s December Core Update
Will Nostalgia Marketing Still Be Relevant in 2022?
The Importance Of Link Building For SEO
Unleashing the Power of Memory: Nostalgia Marketing Takes Centre Stage in 2025
How Can Digital Marketing be Effective for Schools?
Debunking the Top Graphic Design Myths: Uncovering the Truth for Creatives Everywhere
How Can Small Businesses Leverage AI For Growth
The Most Surprising Digital Marketing Statistics Of 2024
How Augmented Reality is Changing E-Commerce
Digital Marketing 101: A Beginner’s Guide For Small Business Owners
How To Design A Website That Is Mobile-Friendly
Why Your Business Needs A Content Marketing Agency Now More Than Ever
Does Content Marketing Really Work? Content Marketing Agency | RGC
The Latest Insights Into Google’s November Core Update
Why SEO is important during Covid-19 Lockdown
Designing Mobile-Friendly Restaurant Websites
How Do Digital Marketing Agencies Create Personalised Strategies?
The Art & Science Of Creating Shareable Content
SMART Goals In Digital Marketing
Digital Pit Stop: Maintaining Your Online Reputation In The Automotive Industry
How Can Digital Marketing Elevate Your Construction Business?
Keep your automotive website on track with a local SEO strategy
Optimising For Voice Search: The Next Frontier In SEO
Staying Visible: Why Digital Marketing Is Crucial During Seasonal Slumps
What has Social Media Taught Us?
How To Leverage Social Media For Small Business Growth
6 Questions To Ask Your Digital Marketing Agency Every Month
The Value of Google Merchant Center For E-Commerce Businesses
Pushing The Envelope With Email Marketing
How Australians Used Social Media In 2015
Should Your Business Invest In SEO In 2025?
Benefits Of Utilising An SEO Agency In Sydney
Fundamentals of Search Engine Marketing
Top 5 Digital Marketing Measurement Tools
How Are Digital Marketing Agencies Really Using AI?
Richard Gerrettson-Cornell To Speak On Global Growth At The Sydney Build Expo
SEO Agency Insights: Proven Strategies To Boost Your Website’s Ranking
Stop Twiddling Your Thumbs And Embrace The Chat Bot Era
How RGC Maximised Kambrook’s Blitz2Go’s Holiday Sales In 2 Months
5 Golden Rules for Choosing the Best SEO Agency for Your Business
Hard Hats & Hashtags: Social Media Strategies For Building Professionals
Local SEO Success Stories: How We Put Businesses On The Map
How Long Should You Commit To A Digital Marketing Agency?
Get Schooled On Digital Marketing in the Education Industry
The Future Of Digital Marketing: Predictions From Our SEO Team
Brand Safety In a Programmatic Environment
Marrying Form & Function: Our Philosophy On Effective Web Presence
Recession-Proof Digital Marketing: Strategies To Thrive During Economic Downturns
Does Your Business Need An SEO Audit?
Local SEO Statistics Of 2023 Across 5 Unique Industries
Web Mobile Application for Independent Locksmiths
That’s A Little Bit Personal, Isn’t It?
Why Should Businesses Continue to Invest in Marketing During Lockdowns?
How to Create Marketing Leverage Opportunities for your brand
Why Sydney Businesses Need A Local Digital Marketing Agency
Beyond Vanity Metrics: How We Track What Really Matters
How Our Creative & SEO Teams Collaborate For Maximum Impact
How To Optimise Your Blog Post For SEO Like A Pro
Personalised Marketing: How To Make Your Customers Feel Special
Chatbots Improve Customer Experience for Insurance Industry
15 Eye-Opening Social Media Marketing Statistics Of 2023
A Beginner’s Guide To Writing Metadata
Getting Started With Google Search Console
GA4: The Latest in Analytics Technology
15 Must-Know Web Design Statistics Of 2025
How To Design A Scalable Website To Allow For Future Content
Threads: The Next Big Thing For Digital Marketers?
How Can Marketing Agencies Deliver A Winning Pitch?
Recession Blues: Search Volumes Plummet But SEO Reigns Supreme
What Does Voice Search Mean For My Brand?
Master Google Search Console With These 5 Strategies
Why Business Owners Need to Prepare for a Potential Google Departure
How A Website Redesign Can Increase UX & Conversions
Essential SEO Services Every Business Should Invest In
Proactive vs Reactive Consumer Marketing
How To Choose The Best Digital Marketing Services For Your Business?
How Social Proof Can Transform Your Website Into A Trust Magnet
See How Retail Can Use Programmatic to Personalise Advertising
6 Elements that Build a Successful Client-Agency Relationship
Mastering Google Ads On A Shoestring Budget
Why You Should Work With A Full-Service In-House Digital Marketing Agency
Why Your Website Is Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool
Driving Engagement With User Generated Content
Master Zero-Click SEO In 3 Easy Steps
Is Social Media Marketing Really Worth It?
Multimedia In SEO: Maximising Visual & Audio Content According To Google