Google Search is improving local results and image search

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Last year, Google announced that Search would be able to use images and text to find what you’re looking for. This feature now has a name, multisearch, and some new upcoming tricks.

Announced during Google I/O, the new search feature lets you search without even knowing the name of the thing you want.

That could be something in your home that you need to find replacement parts for, or a recipe image that looks tasty.

READ MORE: TikTok and Instagram are a real threat to Google Search

READ MORE: Google Chrome on desktop now has a better image search option

Multisearch also enables things like searching for a dress, or a shirt that you liked but not in that color; by adding another color as the query. Google Search then does the hard work for you, and if that item comes in the color you want, shows you where to get it.

Multisearch is going to get another killer feature later this year

Currently in a US-only beta test, multisearch is also adding a great feature for local searches. By searching an image, then adding “near me” as a search prompt, you’ll get relevant results from your neighborhood.

No more getting served shopping results from across town, or even across the country. This will be a great addition, regardless of where you live.

Multisearch “near me” is not just for shopping though. “Near me” will also serve up relevant restaurant options. Imagine being able to search off an image on a food blog, and then being shown the closest restaurants to your location that serve that specific dish.

It’s all possible with the machine learning that powers Google Search. Stay tuned to KnowTechie for more news from Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.