Interactive tagging for online photos and videos

Photobucket has launched a new breed of photo tagging that gives users the ability to share linked photos across email and online social networks. Users can tag up to 20 names and links within a single photo before sharing them so that those viewing the images have easy access to a range of related information.

When someone else views the tagged photo on Photobucket, or another Flash-enabled site, they can hover over elements of the photo to see the link and the tag, or simply click on a person or item in the photo and jump to the associated link. For example, a photo of a school or college group can link each person to individual social network profiles. Alternatively, a photo of landscapes or travel scenes could link to relevant travelogues, giving viewers added insight into the photo’s subject matter.

A Photobucket tagging demo is available here.

In related news, similar functionality that enables the addition of hyperlinks to objects in video clips is soon to be launched by Asterpix. This clever application allows embedded tags to accompany any object or scene featured in the video so that, for example, a video clip showing a series of new products can contain links to further information or purchasing info on that particular item that appears when the viewer runs the mouse over it. The Asterpix site is currently in and is expected to launch in mid-December.