Yahoo has quietly updated its Yahoo Image Search preview page with a friendlier interface that displays larger images, and makes it easier to browse related thumbnails. Is it easier to use than Google Image Search? My first impression is yes. Let's take a closer look.

The image search home pages for Google and Yahoo are essentially the same: A query window with a few sample images below. However, Yahoo's images are culled from current events.

Okay, not a lot of difference above. But Yahoo's new preview page is superior to Google's. Let's search for "beaches" and click the first image result. Here's what we see:

Yahoo's preview screen on the top of the next pair of screens displays a larger thumbnail of the image, as well as related images. By comparison, Google makes you click back to the results page to view more pictures. Both pages display an image search window at the top of the screen.

Bottom line: Yahoo offers a better user experience, and its revamped Image Search may persuade some users to give it a try. If nothing else, it'll force Google to pick up its game a little.