Google Lens Is Coming to YouTube Shorts for Smarter Searches

Highlights

• Google is integrating Google Lens to YouTube Shorts.
• It will allow users to identify landmarks, objects and locations directly from Shorts videos.
• Users can simply pause a Short, tap “Lens,” and highlight anything to instantly get search results over the video.
• Shorts with affiliate links or paid promotions won’t support the feature.

Caption – Users will soon be able to use the Google Lens feature during YouTube Shorts. (Image credit – Google)

YouTube Shorts is getting a smart new feature. According to a recent announcement, Google Lens is being added to the platform as part of a beta test. This means you’ll soon be able to search for more info about what you’re seeing in a Short, right from the video itself.

The rollout starts this week for all Shorts users.

Google announced the update on its support page, saying, “In the coming weeks you’ll be able to use Lens to search what you see while watching Shorts. For example, if you’re watching a Short filmed in a location that you want to visit, you can select a landmark to identify it, and learn more about the destination’s culture and history!”

Users would be able to try out the feature by following the steps below –

• Once the feature is enabled on your YouTube account, go to the Shorts player by tapping the Shorts tab or selecting any Short from the Home screen.
• Pause the video by tapping the screen.
• Tap on “Lens” in the top menu.
• Then, highlight, draw, or tap on anything in the Short to let Google Lens search it for you.

Once you do that, search results and visual matches will appear right over the video and you can easily jump back into the Short whenever you’re done.

During the beta phase, ads won’t be shown in the Lens results.

Moreover, Shorts that have YouTube Shopping affiliate links or paid promotions won’t support the Lens feature for now. Still, it’s easy to see this tool eventually playing a big role in YouTube’s shopping and product discovery ecosystem down the line.

FAQs

Q1. What is Google Lens in YouTube Shorts?

Answer. Google Lens is being added to YouTube Shorts, allowing users to search for objects, landmarks, or locations directly within the video for more information.

Q2. How can users activate the Google Lens feature in Shorts?

Answer. Users can pause a Short, tap “Lens” in the top menu, then highlight, draw, or tap on any part of the video to get search results instantly.

Q3. Are there any limitations during the beta test of Google Lens in YouTube Shorts?

Answer. The feature won’t display ads in search results and Shorts with affiliate links or paid promotions won’t support Google Lens for now.

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