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Google Lens is now coming to YouTube Shorts, making it possible to quickly retrieve detailed information about particular visual elements within a video. According to YouTube, users can expect the new integration in beta in the coming weeks.
How you’ll be able to use it
Say you’re watching a Short on the YouTube mobile app, and you notice a plant you’d love to bring home to your apartment. You will now be able to pause the video by tapping the screen, select “Lens” from the menu at the top of the screen, draw a circle around the plant, and Google will pull up relevant links and images. Or you might simply tap on an image of a famous landmark to retrieve information about the city in which it’s located.
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Rather than being pulled away from the YouTube app to a separate Google search page, Lens results will appear directly over the Short; from there, you can easily return to watching the video.
According to YouTube’s website, this feature will not use biometric data, meaning you won’t be able to pull up web results for the vast majority of people who appear in a Short. The company also noted, however, that it’s “possible” that Lens may be able to pull up information about notable public figures.
During this early testing phase, users will not see any ads in search results. The feature will also not initially be available for YouTube Shorts with affiliate Shopping links or paid product promotions.
Google Lens
First launched in 2017, Google Lens leverages machine learning to analyze and identify content within images. It was later integrated with Google Photos and, more recently, with Gemini, the company’s flagship AI chatbot.
Also: 7 ways I use Google Lens every day – and why it’s one of my favorite AI apps
Early last year, the company unveiled its “Circle to Search” feature for Google Lens, which allows users to circle objects within images to pull up relevant search results. This is a core component of the new integration between YouTube Shorts and Google Lens, and both innovations are part of Google’s broader strategy to make it easier to retrieve information in a way that feels seamless and doesn’t require the use of multiple apps.
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