How to use the image similarity module

In this article, we explain the basics of the image similarity module.

Are you still manually checking if your retailers uploaded product images with the new packaging? Our image similarity module shows you instantly where images match and where they don’t.

Note: the image similarity module needs to be activated per retailer or other specific scope. Your customer success manager can help you decide on a scope and activate the module accordingly. Once the image similarity module is activated, you need to create a dashboard with the image similarity overview widget, to start using the module.

In this article, we discuss the following subjects:

• How to use the reference image editor;
• How to use image sets;
• What you see in the image similarity dashboard.

How to use the reference image editor

Before you start uploading reference images, keep the following in mind:

• Image input format: JPEG, PNG, JPG, TIF, WEBP;
• Image width and height minimum of 150 px;
• Image can’t exceed 5 MB size.

Reference images can be uploaded in the Reference Image editor or via our API.

Note: we’ve also created a extra possibility to upload your images through a portal. In the portal you can easily drag and drop image folders. Ask your customer success manager for more information about your, customer-specific portal!

• Go to ‘Settings’ on the left side of your screen;
• Click on ‘Image similarity module’;

• Click on the plus (+) icon to add an image. You can click on an image to view and update it if it is already present.

Tips and tricks

At the top of the page, you can filter your product selection to upload reference images per tag, set, or retailer:

1. Tag(s): Specify a tag corresponding with 1 or more products, for instance, “tag: shavers”
2. Set: Choose an image set you create(d) for specific retailers. By default, there is only one “Default reference images” set.
3. Retailer: Specify the products you want to see for a retailer. I chose Bol.com.

So what happens when you click the ‘+’ icon? A pop-up screen opens, where you can upload your default reference images and create specific image sets. In the pop-up screen, you can also upload images for multiple image positions. To top it all off, you can upload different variations for a reference images.

Use the Search bar to quickly navigate to subsets of products using specific keywords or even directly move to a specific product using a product code, such as a GTIN or MPN:

How to use image sets

Every account has a default image set, that is used for all your retailers. However, you can also create a custom image set and use it for specific retailers.

As you might know, different retailers use different image structures. For example, bol.com does not accept images with text, but Amazon does. Image sets allow you to upload two different images, which will be checked for both retailers. If you don’t upload specific images, but there is a default image, we’ll check that one instead.

Tip: create one default image set. For deviant retailers with specific requirements, you can create a custom set.

• Navigate to ‘Settings’ and click on ‘Image similarity module’;
• Click on the ‘+’ icon next to the product you want to upload images for;

• Here you can upload the default reference images for the product, and the images in a specific image set.

Note: the images uploaded for the ‘Default reference images’, are automatically used for the specific image sets. In the specific image set, you can adjust the necessary images. You can also drag and drop images to different positions if necessary. The images that remain ‘grey’, stay the same as the default refence images.

If you want to add another variant image, you simple click on the image. In the screen that opens, you can add a variant image by clicking on the ‘+’ image. For example, you might want to add a variant image that is more of a close up image of the product.

You can also create a new image set, when you need more options than only the default image set:

• Navigate to ‘Settings’ and click on ‘Image similarity module’;
• Click on the ‘+’ icon next to the product you want to upload images for;
• In the pop-up screen, click on the ‘+’ icon in the blue square;
• Name your image set and choose the retailers for this image set;
• Click ‘Save’

Now you can add images to your new image set.

What you see in the Image Similarity Module Dashboard

The ISM dashboard gives insights into the performance of your reference images vs the actual images on the retailer. You can filter similarity results based on EQUAL and/or DIFFERENT and even see the reference images you just added or updated (including the ones done via API). By clicking on the filters seen below, you can easily get to your preferred view.

Click on the label to show/hide results. Either choose to see:

• Products with Equal results (same product image(s) vs uploaded reference image(s);
• Products with Different results (different product image(s) vs uploaded reference image(s);
• Products with Check in progress (just added or edited reference image(s);
• When you hover over the equal or different label, you will see when the image was last checked and when the next check is scheduled.

The products with the label ‘Check in progress’ will get an updated status within 24 hours of upload.

Click on the icon on the top right to make the first 5 columns (not) sticky. This can be useful if you want to scroll through an image set horizontally.

You can check the details for each product by using the “expand” button

If you click on an image, you see more details:

Here, you can browse through each product image (in the example above, there are more than 12 images available) on the retailer, and even switch between retailers (in case this product is listed and available in your account.

You can always add or edit reference images (if you’re an account admin) by clicking the button on the top right.

It’s also possible to manage your products with Sitelucent via an API integration. Our improved API documentation lets you add products and manage relations like attributes, labels and tags directly from your own system. No more manual uploads, no more Excel files and no more repetitive updates. Contact your customer success manager for more information and the necessary documentation.