Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium

An image processing method, comprising:

• a step in which an image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of images from terminal devices of a plurality of users through a network for a predetermined period;
• a step in which an image analysis unit analyzes contents of each of the plurality of images;
• a step in which an evaluation value calculation unit calculates an analysis evaluation value of each of the images based on an analysis result of each of the images;
• a step in which an evaluation information acquisition unit acquires evaluation information, which indicates evaluation for each of the images that is given by the plurality of users, from the terminal devices of the plurality of users through the network for the predetermined period;
• a step in which a group forming unit forms one or more groups, each of which includes a plurality of similar images, by specifying the plurality of similar images, among the plurality of images, based on the analysis result of each of the images after the predetermined period has passed;
• and
• a step in which the evaluation value calculation unit calculates an overall evaluation value by adding a value to an analysis evaluation value of each of the plurality of similar images based on evaluation information, which indicates high evaluation for the plurality of similar images, for each of the groups.