YouTube Shorts Now Features Google Lens Visual Search
YouTube has integrated Google Lens into its short-form video platform, Shorts. This new feature allows users to search visually within videos by pausing a Short and selecting a section to analyze with Lens.
This visual search functionality opens up a range of possibilities for users. For example, you can identify landmarks in travel Shorts to learn more about a destination. It can also help you find products featured in videos, although Shorts with affiliate links or paid promotions are currently excluded from this feature.
Potential Use Cases and Implications
While the technology itself isn't groundbreaking, the seamless integration of Google Image Search into Shorts offers new potential for product discovery and influencer marketing. Brands could partner with creators, encouraging viewers to use Lens to find featured items.
- Product Discovery: Easily find products seen in Shorts.
- Landmark Identification: Learn about places featured in travel videos.
- Influencer Marketing: New opportunities for brand partnerships and product promotion.
YouTube clarifies that this feature doesn't use facial recognition technology for identifying individuals, though it may show results for public figures. It also notes that AI-generated summaries may appear in Lens search results.
This new Lens search functionality is rolling out to all YouTube Shorts viewers this week. Explore the possibilities of visual search and discover more within your favorite short-form videos.
