YouTube is set to introduce the Lens feature to Shorts, starting in beta in the upcoming weeks. This new addition will enable users to search for more information about animals, plants, and objects featured in the videos.
For instance, if you’re viewing a Short with a famous landmark in the background, YouTube allows you to utilize Lens to look up details about that specific location and discover where the video was filmed.
You can access this feature by navigating to Shorts within YouTube’s mobile app. After pausing the Short, simply tap the Lens button in the top menu, then circle, highlight, or tap the item you’re interested in. YouTube will then provide visual matches and search results that overlay on the Short. Importantly, selecting any of these results allows you to “quickly return to the content you were watching.”
YouTube clarifies that while Lens does not utilize “biometric facial recognition” to identify specific individuals, it may provide results for “notable public figures.” Additionally, during the pilot phase, there will be no ads shown in the results, and the feature will not be available for Shorts containing shopping affiliate links initially.
