YouTube adds visual search to Shorts using Google Lens

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YouTube is rolling out a new feature that brings Google Lens to its Shorts videos. 

This new tool, currently launching in beta, will allow users to search for more information about objects, animals, plants, landmarks, and more that appear in the videos they’re watching.

Here’s how it works: while watching a Short in the YouTube mobile app, you can pause the video, tap the Lens icon at the top, and then either circle, highlight, or tap on the object you’re curious about. 

Google Lens will then analyze that part of the video and show you related search results, right over the video screen.

If you tap on one of these results, you can get more details and go back to the video you were watching.

For example, if you’re watching a travel Short and see a cool building in the background, you can use Lens to identify the landmark and learn where it’s located. 

Or if someone’s wearing unique sneakers or showing a rare plant, you can use Lens to find out what it is and where to buy it.

This move is part of Google’s broader push to make visual search more useful and accessible, especially with tools like Lens that can now analyze video and photos. 

The goal is to make it easier for users to interact with the content they see and learn more without needing to leave the app.

YouTube also clarified some privacy and ad-related details. The Lens tool won’t use facial recognition to identify people, but it may show info if a famous person appears in a video. 

During this test phase, Lens won’t show ads in its results and won’t be available on Shorts that include shopping affiliate links.

This update turns Shorts into a more interactive experience, where you can instantly explore and learn more about what you see onscreen.

Do you use Google Lens a lot? Will you use it on YouTube Shorts? Tell us your thoughts below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.