The “Pros” and “Cons” of Reverse Image Lookup as an Assessment Tool for Digitized Cultural Heritage Images

This presentation introduces and builds upon the application of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) and reverse image lookup (RIL), a graduated form of CBIR, as a potential assessment tool for cultural heritage repository managers. The presenters will focus their conversation around five topics: (1) CBIR and RIL definitions and history; (2) RIL case studies; (3) methods and results of presenters’ RIL study; (4) RIL benefits and limitations; and (5) implications of RIL on digital repository assessment. The presentation concludes by proposing that RIL offers benefits for cultural heritage repository managers in the assessment of users and the reuses of their collections. Audience members will gain insight into how the software can be used as another viable option in their assessment toolkit.