Jennifer Lopez inspired Google to create its Image search feature, Eric Schmidt has revealed.

The tech giant's executive chairman told Project Syndicate that a dress worn by the singer at the 2000 Emmy Awards led to Google Images' creation.

Lopez wore a green Versace dress to the ceremony, which sent internet web searches for pictures shooting up.

"People wanted more than just text," Schmidt explained earlier this year. "This first became apparent after the 2000 Grammy Awards, where Jennifer Lopez wore a green dress that, well, caught the world's attention.

"At the time, it was the most popular search query we had ever seen. But we had no surefire way of getting users exactly what they wanted: J­Lo wearing that dress. Google Image Search was born."