Google Lens is making its way to YouTube Shorts in a beta version. Interestingly, YouTube presents this feature as a means to explore the locations and cultures depicted in its videos, though many of us suspect that there’s a broader intent behind it!
Google Lens offers consumers an effective way to identify products, providing detailed information and purchase links for virtually any item worldwide. Previously, users could utilize the Circle to Search feature for YouTube Shorts to achieve similar results, but with Lens now integrated into the platform, finding and learning about items of interest should be a breeze.
How to Use Google Lens in YouTube Shorts
- Open the YouTube mobile app and access the Shorts player by tapping the Shorts tab or selecting a Short from your Home feed.
- Pause the Short by tapping on the screen.
- Click on “Lens” in the top menu, then draw, highlight, or tap on any elements in the video to search using Google Lens.
- Visual matches and search results will appear over the Short, allowing you to quickly resume watching.
Google notes that since this feature is in beta, search results will be ad-free. Also, Lens features won’t be available for Shorts that include YouTube Shopping affiliate links or paid promotions, just to clarify. Depending on the query, you might also see AI Overviews, which have largely taken the lead in Google Search results.
This feature is rolling out in beta this week, so keep an eye out for it!