What to know

  • YouTube is introducing a visual search feature for Shorts that works similarly to Google Lens.
  • The new tool will let you identify and search for objects you see while watching short-form videos.
  • This feature builds on YouTube's existing AI-powered search capabilities and will roll out in the coming months.

YouTube is adding a new search capability to its Shorts platform that will let you identify objects you spot while watching videos. The feature works similarly to Google Lens, allowing you to search for items that catch your eye without leaving the app.

When watching Shorts, you'll soon be able to tap a new search button that appears on screen. This will let you select specific objects within the video frame that interest you. YouTube will then use its visual recognition technology to identify the item and show you search results about it.

For example, if you see a pair of shoes you like in a Short, you can pause the video, tap the search button, select the shoes, and get information about that specific footwear. The same would work for clothing items, accessories, electronics, or other recognizable objects.

This new feature builds on YouTube's existing AI-powered search capabilities. The platform already offers tools that can identify music playing in videos and provide timestamps for specific content mentioned in longer videos.

YouTube hasn't provided an exact launch date but says the visual search feature will roll out to users "in the coming months." The company is likely still fine-tuning the technology to ensure accurate results across the wide variety of content on its platform.

The addition of visual search to Shorts represents YouTube's ongoing efforts to compete with TikTok and other short-form video platforms while leveraging Google's powerful search and AI technologies. It also creates new opportunities for creators and brands to have their products discovered organically through Shorts content.

YouTube continues to invest in Shorts as a key part of its platform, with this search feature being the latest in a series of updates designed to enhance user experience and keep viewers engaged within the YouTube ecosystem.