YouTube announced Thursday that it will bring Google lenses to YouTube shorts in the coming weeks. This integration will soon allow viewers to use Google lenses to search for what they saw while looking at the shorts.
For example, if you are watching short stories shot at places you are interested in visiting, you can ask them to select the landmark and identify them to the lens. From there you will learn more about the culture and history of the destination.
By integrating lenses into shorts, YouTube is working to enhance visual search capabilities and provide users with ways to discover and search content in an intuitive and interactive way.
Especially since Tiktok and Instagram reels don't offer similar features, it makes sense to use Google lenses to enhance the search capabilities of YouTube shorts for viewers.
Once the feature is deployed, users can try it by pausing the short and selecting the “Lens” option in the top menu. After that, they need to draw, highlight, or tap what they want to search. The lens provides a visual match and is overlaid with a short. Once the shortcut is over, you can go back to the content you were watching.
Users don't see ads in search results during the beta phase of short pants lenses, YouTube says. The Google-owned company also points out that shorts lenses are not available with shorts in YouTube shopping affiliate links and paid product promotions.
YouTube is beginning to roll out its beta to all audiences this week.
Today's announcement comes as YouTube is building shorts with the addition of the ability to take on Tiktok and Instagram reels.
In April, YouTube unveiled a new feature designed to help creators publish compelling short form videos. Creators have access to improved video editors, the ability to generate AI stickers, the ability to sync content to the beats of songs, and enhanced templates.