Explanation: Know all about visual search and how different platforms use it

Most internet users are familiar with the text and voice searches they use when browsing the many search engines and social media platforms. Meanwhile, another type of web search is called visual search also available to users. This form of web search is relatively infrequently used despite being around for many years. Many popular search engines and social media platforms like – Google, Bing, Snapchat, Amazon and others provide visual searches with their services. In 2018, research was conducted by a US-based artificial intelligence company ViSenze concluded that 62% of millennials (in the UK and US) prefer visual search over all other search types. Here we will discuss what visual search is and how websites can use this form of web search to its benefits.
Visual Search: What is it?
Visual search uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help users search for different objects using real-world images instead of entering text. For example, whenever a user captures an image of an object using Google Lens, the software identifies objects in the image and gives information and search results for the same. This technology is especially useful for e-commerce platforms and other online stores.
Visual Search: How It Works
A combination of computer vision and machine learning is used to make visual search work seamlessly. In addition to allowing the device to see the image, computer vision also helps the system interpret what is in the image. After identifying the subject in the photo, your device decides how to use the information.

Computer vision technology has also been around for a long time, however, advancement in machine learning technology has allowed it to be used for visual search. To explain further, computer vision relies on machine learning to identify the object displayed in the image.
In the case of Google Lens, the technology cross-references its information with Google Knowledge Graph to identify objects in the image. Furthermore, other platforms also have specialized software to support their versions of image recognition technology.
Visual Search: How are different platforms using it?
Visual search functions vary slightly between major platforms. Users tend to use each platform with different needs in mind, from – shopping to information retrieval among others. For example, visual search from Google and Bing is mainly used to get information, however, users can still use this feature on these platforms to shop.
Google Lens
Google Lens is the most popular image search platform in the world because it offers advanced search capabilities. This technology is available in many Android apps including – Google Assistant, Search, Translate and Photos. A 2019 study revealed that Google’s image recognition technology is more accurate than some other key technologies visual search platform.
Bing visual search
Unlike Pinterest Lens, Bing visual search provides users with information along with products. Whenever Bing detects a shopping intent, Bing provides the user with related products and pricing information. Furthermore, the platform allows developers to determine what information search engines should show people from a particular image.

Snapchat camera search
The Snapchat Camera Search feature began allowing users to search for products on Amazon using the app in 2018. An Amazon tag with a link for a specific product, or a list of similar items from the e-tailer, appeared anywhere. when the application recognizes the barcode.
Amazon StyleSnap
This feature is available in the Amazon mobile app. Whenever a user takes a product photo using this function, they will be provided with related information and similar products.