Google Launches New AI-Powered Ask Photos Image Search Feature

Today, Google announced the early testing of its new feature, "Ask Photos," within the Google Photos app. This feature is designed for iOS and Android users, offering a fresh search experience powered by Google's Gemini AI.

Introduction to the "Ask Photos" Feature

"Ask Photos" allows users to search their personal photo libraries using natural language queries. Google has emphasized that users can explore their Google Photos collection with a variety of questions, as the feature scans all images to provide relevant results. Here are some examples of queries you might try:

- What are my best photos from each national park I visited?

- Where did I go camping last year?

- When do my tickets expire?

- What sights did we see on our trip?

- What did I eat at my hotel in [location]?

- What did I try at the market in Thailand?

- Which photos from the birthday party stand out the most?

- What themes were featured at our family birthday celebration?

The "Ask Photos" feature is capable of understanding the context and content of your images to provide meaningful answers. For instance, when asking, "Which photos from the birthday party are the best?" the system can identify decorations and cake elements to deliver a response. Additionally, it can sift through your travel photos to highlight the best ones, saving you editing time, and suggest optimal images and captions for social media sharing.

Privacy and Data Protection

Google has assured users that their personal data in Google Photos will not be used for advertising purposes. While some queries might undergo manual review to enhance the feature, the data collected is separate from Google accounts to ensure user privacy. Aside from handling user feedback and specific cases of abuse, answers provided by "Ask Photos"—including photos and videos—will not undergo human review.

"Ask Photos" was first previewed at the Google I/O conference and is now available for early access to select iOS and Android users. Those interested in trying the feature can sign up for the waiting list on Google's website.