Google is rolling out a major upgrade to the search function in Google Photos, letting users search for specific words found inside images.
To use the feature, you just need to put your search term in quotation marks. For example, searching “invoice” will show photos with that exact word in the image, filename, caption, or camera model.
If you leave out the quotation marks, the search will include related or visually similar results as well. The feature is now rolling out on Android, iOS, and the web version of Google Photos.
This update builds on last year’s addition of Gemini-powered Ask Photos, which allows users to find images using natural language, like “me at the beach last summer” or “photos of my dog on the sofa.”
However, Ask Photos has faced performance issues since launch.
According to Google Photos product manager Jamie Aspinall, the rollout of Ask Photos is now on pause. The feature is only available to a small number of users because it currently falls short in terms of speed, result quality, and overall experience.
Google says it’s working on a faster and improved version that could be ready in about two weeks.
In addition to search upgrades, Google Photos recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with more new features. This includes enhanced AI editing tools and the wider release of formerly Pixel-exclusive features like Reimagine and Auto Frame.
Users can also now share albums via QR code for easier access.
Long overdue