Pinterest Introduces Shazam-like Visual Search Feature
- Thursday, February 9th, 2017
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Pinterest has introduced a camera search to let users search for real-world objects in real-time, using AI to find similar-looking Pins on the platform.
Lens, currently in beta, works in a similar way to how Shazam does for music – providing the user with relatable content through an in-app search. To use the feature, the user uses their camera in the Pinterest app, hovers it in front of the item they like, and is presented with similar objects related to what the ‘Lens’ picks up on.
Evan Sharp, co-founder and head of product at Pinterest, said in a blog post: “Sometimes you spot something out in the world that looks interesting, but when you try to search for it online later, words fail you. You have this rich, colorful picture in your mind, but you can’t translate it into the words you need to find it.
“Now there’s a way to discover ideas without having to find the right words to describe them first.”
In addition to Lens, Pinterest also introduced two other features. The photo sharing platform has rolled out Instant Ideas and Shop the Look.
With Instant Ideas, the user has the ability to see related ideas by tapping on a Pin that takes their fancy – while Shop the Look enables the user to track down and buy products they see inside fashion and home décor Pins.