Google is set to change the search experience on desktop Chrome with an AI-powered upgrade to Google Lens.
This enhancement, reminiscent of the Circle to Search feature on mobile devices, promises to streamline the way users interact with visual content on their computers.
Introducing the New Google Lens Button
The upcoming Chrome update will introduce a new Google Lens button directly in the search box. This convenient addition allows users to quickly activate Google Lens and select items they wish to search for, all without leaving their current tab.
One of the most significant improvements is the introduction of a multisearch sidebar. This feature enables users to conduct searches combining both text and images captured by Google Lens. The sidebar appears within the active tab, eliminating the need to open new tabs or navigate away from the current page.
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I should note that you’ve already been able to activate Google Lens with a right-click or from the three dots menu and see results in a sidebar on desktop Chrome. However, what’s new here is the Google Lens icon in the search bar and the ability to multisearch right from that sidebar.
Global Rollout and AI Overviews
According to Chrome VP Parisa Tabriz, this feature will be rolled out globally over the next few days. US users will have the added benefit of accessing Google’s AI Overviews in their search results, though these summaries may occasionally produce unexpected outcomes.
In addition to the Google Lens upgrade, Chrome is introducing an AI-powered feature to help users navigate their search history more effectively. This tool will allow users to ask questions about their past searches, such as “What was that ice cream shop I looked at last week?” to quickly locate relevant links.
Opt-In Cloud-Based Model
The new search history feature, set to launch in the coming weeks for US desktop Chrome users, will be opt-in. It will utilize a cloud-based model to generate results, ensuring efficient and accurate responses to user queries.
This AI-powered upgrade to Google Lens in desktop Chrome represents a significant step forward in making visual search more accessible and efficient for users. By integrating these features directly into the browser, Google continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in online search and content discovery.
