YouTube Shorts Enhances User Experience with Google Lens Integration for Instant Information Access

YouTube has announced that viewers will now be able to use Google Lens directly within Shorts to search for objects, places, or text visible in the video. This feature allows users to interact with the content by simply tapping on what they want to know more about—or drawing a circle around it—to initiate a search.

For instance, if a landmark, product, or unfamiliar text appears in a Short, users can use Lens to translate, identify, or learn more about it. However, the feature is currently limited to YouTube's mobile app and will not work on Shorts containing shopping affiliate links.

How to Use Google Lens in YouTube Shorts

1. Open the YouTube app on your smartphone.

Navigate to the Shorts section from the bottom navigation bar.

While watching a Short, tap the screen to pause the video.

Select the "Lens" option from the top menu.

The first time you use the feature, you’ll be prompted to accept the terms and conditions.

Once active, tap, draw, or highlight the area of interest on the screen.

For unknown languages, use the “Translate” button located on the lower right to translate captions or visible text.

To exit the Lens view, tap the ‘X’ in the upper-left corner or swipe down to return to the video. Based on the search, Google may also provide AI Overviews that offer additional context or information related to the query.

According to Google, this feature currently only displays organic search results during its pilot phase and will not show ads.

By bringing Google Lens into Shorts, YouTube is adding a layer of interactivity that bridges passive viewing and active discovery, further enriching the short-form video experience for its users.