YouTube is making it easier to find more details about the things you see in its popular Shorts videos. A new feature will allow you to use Google Lens directly on Shorts. The update will begin rolling out in beta over the next few weeks.
With this change, you can pause a Short, tap the Lens icon at the top, and then either circle, tap, or highlight an item you’re curious about. YouTube will then show you results related to that object, place, or thing—all without making you leave the video for a separate search.
Search what you see while watching Shorts
Imagine you’re watching a Short that shows a landmark in the background. You can now use Lens to search and discover exactly where the video was taken and learn more about the location. This new function works with landmarks and animals, plants, clothing, products, and more.
The Lens tool has been added directly to YouTube’s mobile app, making it easy to use while watching Shorts. All you need to do is pause the video and tap the Lens button in the menu at the top. From there, highlight or tap the item that interests you. You’ll then see matching images and search results appear on top of the video.
Once you’ve explored the results, you can easily return to the Short and continue watching. YouTube says this feature is designed to make your experience more interactive and informative without interrupting your viewing.
No ads and no facial recognition in this test
YouTube confirms that during this early test period, the Lens feature will not show any ads in the search results. Also, if the Short includes shopping affiliate links, the Lens feature won’t appear for those videos yet.
Importantly, YouTube has stated that Lens won’t use biometric facial recognition. So, it won’t try to identify the people you see in Shorts daily. However, you may still see results if the tool recognises a notable public figure.
The company says this is all part of a wider effort to make searching with visuals easier and more helpful. Google has been steadily expanding Lens across different services. It recently added video-based search to Lens, which allows you to scan a scene using your phone’s camera. You can also now use Lens in stores to get information about items you’re thinking of buying.
How this can help you
This update could be useful for anyone who enjoys learning more about what they’re watching. If you spot a cool outfit, an unfamiliar plant, or a unique object in a Short, you won’t need to switch apps or open a browser to search for it. The whole process is done within the YouTube app.
YouTube is pushing to make Shorts entertaining, informative, and interactive. This new Lens feature lets you explore your curiosity in real time.
The Lens tool is expected to be widely available on the YouTube mobile app in the coming weeks, starting with a limited beta test. Keep an eye on your app for the update.
