Google Lens Now Lets Users Save Their Visual Search History: All Details

Google Lens is getting new features and options that can be helpful to the users. Lens generally helps users with various features that includes completing homework, identifying landmarks, and visualise STEM models. With the use of AI and machine learning algorithms, it helps turn phones into clever visual helpers.

In simple terms, it is like a magic lens that works on a simple principle; you point your camera at something, and Google Lens tells you what it is. In the latest development from the tech sphere, Google is reportedly now planning to roll out a new feature to enable users to use Lens to save their visual search history.

Previously, when using the shutter button in Google Lens, it didn't capture images for users to save for future use. Instead, it sent the images to Google for analysis, making them inaccessible to users thereafter. However, Google is now expected to introduce a feature allowing Lens captures to be automatically saved, enabling users to revisit those images in the future.

Notably, the update will specifically apply to Lens usage inside the Google app. Pictures from the Google Photos integration or Circle to Search will not appear in this case.

How to use Visual Search History on Google Lens

Accessing Google Lens search history remains optional and is disabled by default. Below are the steps to enable this feature:

– Visit myactivity.google.com

– Sign in with your Google account

– Go to the Data and Privacy section and select Web and App activity

– Click on the checkbox against 'Include Visual Search History' to enable the feature

Once enabled, you can scroll down on the My Activity page on the website to view your visual search history. The page will show all search results, including those made using Google Lens. Besides that, users can choose to check the details of the request, delete the history, or download the captured image to the device.

While the visual search history feature is said to have been rolled out for select users, it is expected to be available publicly in the coming weeks, and users will be duly notified about the change when they open Google Lens. “Your Visual Search History may be used to improve your experience on Google services, like letting you revisit your past visual searches. It may be used to develop and improve Google’s visual recognition and search technologies, as well as the Google services that use them,” Google states on its website.