Make image search results copy-paste:able

otsu

When using the image search function, images are presented with the kagi image proxy. When right-clicking to "copy image" the URL to the kagi proxy is put in the copy-buffer instead of the actual image. Same behavior is given clicking the "view image" button and trying to copy. Behavior is confirmed both on Chrome and Firefox.

From a product perspective I can understand why this is desirable, but from a user experience perspective it's awful. I regularly search for images to use in presentations, diagrams, chats and documents. It used to work before the image proxy was implemented. The image search function becomes less useful when I have to either use the screenshot tool or visit the hosting page to achieve the desired behavior.

z64

otsu Unfortunately this is a browser limitation. We cannot make the browser copy a URL to the non-proxied image without actually loading the non-proxied image, thus removing any user privacy.

It used to work before the image proxy was implemented.

Not sure exactly what you're referring to, the proxy has been in place since before we had any public beta users, we have been proxying all image content since August of 2020 😄

The image search function becomes less useful when I have to either use the screenshot tool or visit the hosting page to achieve the desired behavior.

May I ask what is not desireable about the proxy link? It isn't clear in your post why you don't want this exactly.

z64

otsu Apologies as I may have missed the details here:

When right-clicking to "copy image" the URL to the kagi proxy is put in the copy-buffer instead of the actual image.

If you click Copy Image it should not copy the URL. It should copy the image. But this is again not something we control, it is implemented by the browser. So if this is accurate, which browser are you using? And if needed, please record a video of this happening.

The (proxied) URL should only be copied if you select Copy image address (or however your browser describes it).

Browsing6853

I would also suggest to rename "View Image" to "View Original Image" with the original image URL, this way the image results at Kagi will still be proxied but people will be able to copy the original URL without searching for a single image in the original website for every image. Besides that, adding a big button with the same image when every single browser have the "Open Image in New Tab" is useless.

Vlad

z64

Unfortunately this is a browser limitation. We cannot make the browser copy a URL to the non-proxied image without actually loading the non-proxied image, thus removing any user privacy.

We should be able to have copy original image url as a button that would copy the link to clipboard? The issue is more of where to place as the screen is already crammed?

z64

Vlad Yes, exactly. Also a javascript-only feature.

I was talking to Seth and it may be a candidate for our extension, or it could possibly be done with in-app JS. But requiring JS nontheless.

Browsing6853

Vlad Can't it be the "View Original Image" button idea like I suggested? The proxy should only be used to protect the user's privacy, applying it to the such button is too much IMO.

Vlad

Browsing6853 Yes it can be a button as I said the bigger problem is where to place it. What is the purpose of having this btw?

We are already crammed there.

@z64 does not need to be copy, just a normal link.

Browsing6853

Vlad Yes it can be a button as I said the bigger problem is where to place it. What is the purpose of having this btw?

My point is about replacing the current "View Image" button and being more useful than a shortcut of what the browser already implements. It's more "web neutral" to show the webpage's own resources whenever you can instead of proxying like AMP - if the user really want the original image at full scale and still remain anonymous (which I understand as a power user), they can just right-click on what Kagi is displaying (which is proxied) and click "Open in a new tab".

z64

@Vlad I'm referring to something that would work even on image grid view / globally, where you can right click -> copy URL and get the original URL instead of our proxied one, by hooking into the clipboard API and replacing the proxied URL.

Vlad

z64 yeah that is more complex I understand. A button in preview will do, jsut need to find space for it

Vlad

Browsing6853 That makes sense.

Vlad

View Image already links to original and right click open in new tab shows proxied image. CLosing this as done, let me know if I misundertood anything.