Making $10,000 a Pixel: Optimizing Thumbnail Images in Search Results
http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2009/05/making-10000-a-pixel-optimizing-thumbnail-images-in-search-results.php

Nudelman, Greg
UXmatters
2009

Abstract:

In search results, the old adage a picture is worth a thousand words rings true. When it comes to making your search results more efficient to use, more relevant, and more attractive, images reign supreme. There is simply nothing else on your search results pages that can come close to offering the same potential as thumbnail images for dramatically increasing your conversion rates and revenues.