YouTube is launching a new Lens feature in Shorts, allowing users to search directly for animals, plants, landmarks, and other items seen in videos. This feature will enter beta rollout soon and can be accessed via YouTube’s mobile app by pausing a Short and tapping the Lens button to circle, highlight, or tap the item of interest. The search will display visual matches and relevant information overlaid on the video, enabling users to explore more about the content, such as the location of landmarks or details about objects. Lens does not use biometric facial recognition but may show results for notable public figures. Ads will not be shown in search results during the pilot, and the feature will initially be unavailable on Shorts containing shopping affiliate links. This update aligns with Google’s recent expansions of Lens capabilities, including video search and in-store shopping assistance.
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