YouTube Shorts Update: Tag Anything with a Simple Gesture!

Google has introduced a new feature in YouTube Shorts that enables users to identify objects seen on the screen. With just a tap, users can now discover the name of a landmark, the brand of an outfit, or translate a sign.

Short videos have become ubiquitous on smartphones, but they often move too quickly to fully understand everything in them. Identifying an item, a monument, or text in a Short used to be quite a challenge. Previously, users had to pause the video, take a screenshot, and then use Google Lens to get more information. Google now offers a much simpler solution, built directly into the YouTube app.

Since last year, Google Lens has been capable of answering questions based on an image or photo, thanks to artificial intelligence. It can identify objects, translate text, or provide details about a location. This technology is now making its way into YouTube Shorts. The feature began rolling out this week on mobile apps and will be available to everyone in the coming days.

Google Lens Integrates into Shorts for One-Tap Recognition of Objects, Places, or Text

Once the feature is available, here’s how to use it on mobile:

• Open the YouTube app
• Navigate to the Shorts tab or open a Short from the homepage
• Tap on the screen to pause the video
• Select Lens at the top of the screen
• Draw, touch, or highlight the element you want to search for
• Hit the Translate icon if there’s text needing translation
• Close the results using the X button or by swiping down
• The results appear directly on the video, displaying images or useful links.

During the initial roll-out phase, there will be no advertisements or product links in the results. Shorts that contain commercial links or promotions are not compatible with this feature at the moment. However, this innovation is already transforming videos into tools for visual exploration. For instance, if someone is wearing a pair of sneakers you like in a video, you can simply tap on them to initiate a search and discover the brand, similar models, or even places where you can buy them. With just a simple gesture, it becomes possible to learn more without having to leave what you’re watching.