Google Photos Enhances Search with Descriptive Queries and AI-Powered Assistance

Improvements to Google Photos are aimed at enhancing the user experience when searching for images and videos. The latest update includes a feature called Descriptive Queries, designed to simplify the search process. The tech firm has introduced a new feature that enables users to enter their questions directly, simplifying the process of finding particular media. This feature is now available for all users on both iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, American users are receiving preliminary access to the forthcoming Ask Photos feature, which leverages AI technology to assist in image retrieval.

In a detailed update, the company highlighted the Descriptive Queries capability as an enhancement of the existing search tool found within Google Photos. Previously, users could only find pictures by inputting distinct keywords, which limited their ability to narrow down search results.

The updated features mean users can now utilize natural language for queries, allowing for more extensive searches. For example, phrases like “Alice and I laughing” or “Kayaking on a lake surrounded by mountains” will yield pertinent results. Google has indicated that users can also opt for broader terms in their search requests.

This feature is not supported by Gemini and will be available to all users on iOS and Android devices; however, it will operate solely when the language settings of the device are set to English. The tech giant plans to extend this feature to additional languages in the near future.

Moreover, Google Photos will enable users to organize their search results by either date or relevance, facilitating a smoother process in finding the desired images.

Furthermore, early access is being granted to a newly developed AI feature that aids in searching images and videos through a service named Ask Photos. Leveraging Gemini technology, this feature enables users to prompt the AI with conversational phrases. Using advanced computer vision, Gemini navigates the user's photo library to present relevant images.

This experimental tool is part of the Google Labs initiative and is presently accessible to a limited group of users in the United States, with plans for a broader rollout later in the year.