Google has been testing Lens for awhile. Mobile-only at initially. Some users caught a fully search-integrated test version in Incognito Mode on a desktop browser. Lens is now the only option when right-clicking on a photo in Chrome, according to GHacks.
How to Access
Right-clicking on photos in Chrome should reveal a choice that reads “use Chrome Lens.” Finish. Yes, reverse image search still exists, but it’s more complicated than before. Users can still acquire addons that make reverse image searches easy, but if you like Lens, congrats! It’s Chrome’s main desktop search option.
The Use Previously
Google Images’ reverse image search lets you find an image’s origins and other instances online.
If you encounter an uncredited photo online, search for it on Google to find out who created it and where it was published.
If you’re a photographer or creative, running a reverse image search on your own work can identify illegal uses (i.e. copyright infringement) that you can take action on.
Right-clicking an image to search for it was a helpful alternative that was removed when Google Lens was added to Chrome at the end of 2021.
What are the Challenges with Google Lens?
Chrome is pushing Lens on everyone, like it or not. While the image search and analysis tool is great on mobile for copying text, interpreting bits, and reading QR codes, it’s less useful on desktop, especially when it’s designed to replace Google Images’ reverse-image searching. Google Images now defaults to Google Lens instead of source or comparable image searching when you upload a picture.
The Lens icon has replaced the voice search and magnifying glass buttons on Google Images (via 9to5Google). Clicking it opens an interface that allows you drag and drop photographs from your computer or paste a link, with the description “Search any image with Google Lens.” After adding an image, you’re brought to lens.google.com, where you can use contextual search, OCR text copying, and translation.