YouTube has announced that it will soon bring Google Lens to YouTube Shorts. This new feature will let viewers search for what they see in Shorts using Google Lens.
Google Lens in YouTube Shorts
With the update, users can pause a Short and pick any object, place, or text on the screen to learn more about it. For example, if a Short shows a famous landmark, viewers can use Lens to identify it and discover details about its culture or history.
How It Works
When the feature becomes available, users can follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app and go to Shorts by tapping the Shorts tab or selecting a Short on the home screen.
- Pause the Short by tapping the screen.
- Tap the “Lens” option in the top menu.
- Draw, highlight, or tap on anything you want to search.
- The first time you use Lens, a terms and conditions message will appear; tap anywhere on the screen to close it.
- To translate on-screen text, tap the “translate” button in the lower right corner.
- To exit the results, tap the “X” on the top left or swipe down on the panel.
Lens will then display matching search results directly over the video, and you can easily return to watching the Short afterward.
Limitations and Availability
YouTube explained that while the beta is active, Lens search results will stay ad-free, and the feature won’t function on Shorts containing Shopping affiliate links or paid product promotions. The beta is now being rolled out to all users this week.