Circle and Search: Google’s New Search Mode Based on AI

Did you know that it is now possible to search for anything on your phone without having to switch apps? All thanks to Circle and Search.

Google has announced a new search feature based on artificial intelligence, and designed to simplify web searches. This feature will allow you to search the web without having to leave the page or application you are browsing. Find out how this feature works and its release date in this article!

How does Circle and Search work?

Circle and Search is about to radically change how people search on their Android phones. This feature allows users to search for information within any app. Whether it’s a photo on social media, or a video on YouTube, you can select the item that caught your attention by circling it, highlighting it, scribbling on it or tapping on it, and you will get more information about it. No need to do any external searches on any search engines. 

Using Circle and Search is simple:

1. Press the home button of your smartphone
2. Circle, highlight, or tap the item you are interested in
3. Find the information at the bottom of the screen

For instance, if you are watching a video and you see an item you are interested in, you can just circle it or tap on it to display useful information such as where to buy it online, or similar alternatives.

But that’s not all: Circle and Search also allows you to search for multiple items by combining both image and text. For example, if you see a word you do not understand in a text or an image, you can search for it and ask a question that will be responded to by artificial intelligence.

What is the difference between Circle and Search, and Google Lens?

Circle and Search might remind you of Google Lens, but unlike the latter, it does not require opening the Google app – it can be used on any app! Thus, it is faster and more immediate than Google Lens, offering a smoother and more accessible experience to instantly obtain detailed information.

Circle and Search might remind you of Google Lens, but unlike the latter, it does not require opening the Google app – it can be used on any app! Thus, it is faster and more immediate than Google Lens, offering a smoother and more accessible experience to instantly obtain detailed information.

How can you leverage this feature for your business?

Google’s new search mode opens up exciting opportunities for online merchants looking to increase traffic to their websites and attract new customers through the Internet. 

An effective way to maximise this feature is to diversify your online presence across as many platforms as possible (Google My Business, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), and invest in creating and sharing high-quality images of your products.

This way, the chances are multiplied that a user sees a product they are interested in and decides to search for it using Circle and Search to learn more or to make a purchase. 

Circle and Search has all the makings to become a trump card for merchants, as it increases the opportunities to connect with interested customers. 

When will Circle and Search be available?

From 31st of January, the new feature will be operational on Samsung Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 devices. It will then be gradually extended to all Android devices, although the definitive date for this broader deployment has not been shared at the moment. 

It has not been confirmed yet whether this new feature will be limited exclusively to Android users or if it will also be available for iOS.