Google has announced the addition of the Google Lens icon to the address bar in Google Chrome, bringing the popular concept of “Circle to Search” from Android phones to desktop users.
First introduced by Samsung with the Galaxy S24 earlier this year, Circle to Search allows you to simply draw around any item on the screen and see search results which might show what the item is or where to buy it.
Bringing this to Google Chrome means users can initiate the Lens and then highlight with a mouse stroke the item they want to search for.
Results for your search will appear alongside the page you initiated the search from.
Users can also add to their search by using additional search terms. A great example used by Google shows someone highlighting a suitcase in a photo, seeing search results then adding the word “pink” to see that item in pink.
Simple, easy to use.
Google’s “Image” search has long been a feature of the general Google Search engine, but in a world driven by retail and the desire to have “that” – this new way to search changes search forever.
The update rolls out to Google Chrome browsers over time, but keep a look out for the “Lens” icon next to your profile picture on Google Chrome.