We've come a long way in how we search. Remember the days of typing keywords into a search bar and hoping you’d get the answer you needed? Fast forward to today, and apps like Google Lens have revolutionised how we search by allowing us to scan and identify objects through the app. 

But now, with Circle to Search, we’ve taken the next step with search, powered by Google AI. No more switching apps, taking screenshots, or uploading images—now, with a simple circle on your screen, you can instantly find answers about anything you see, all in the same place, as you go.

1. Make sure you’ve enabled Circle to Search on your phone by going to Settings > Search 'Circle to Search' in Settings search bar > Enable 'Circle to Search'

2. Hold the home button or navigation bar on your Pixel. When the Google search bar appears, use a finger to circle, tap, scribble, or highlight whatever’s piqued your interest - The search then pops up in the lower half of the screen.

Circle to Search is available on Pixel 6 and later models.

Say you’re scrolling through social media and come across something you’d like to buy – like a pair of boots or a blender. With Circle to Search, you can tap what you want to purchase and easily pull up the same or similar items from stores online.

Say you’re at an art gallery and want to find out more about a painting or a sculpture that you see, but you can’t describe it. Launch Circle to Search and circle the object in the photo you’ve just taken to find out more.

Now when you circle, highlight, or tap on your screen, you’ll also start seeing more AI Overviews for places, trending images, unique objects, and more.¹ AI Overviews use generative AI to provide instant, bite-sized insights about what you’re seeing, including links to dig deeper and learn more from the web. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend explaining exactly what you need to know about anything you see on-the-go.

Quickly get the info you need with AI Overviews, then get right back to what you’re doing.

Sometimes what you’re searching for is a word on the page, not an image in your feed. Say you want to know what the word “gambol” means. Just highlight what you’re reading and Google AI will give you a quick definition. And, without having to leave the page, you’ll immediately learn that gambol means to skip about, as in dancing.

Another cool feature: translating foreign languages. If you want to chat with your cousin in Spain or translate a menu at a restaurant online, Circle to Search can help, no matter where the text appears – in a PDF, video, web page, or chat. This feature works in more than 100 languages. 

Whether you’re traveling or planning a night out, Circle to Search lets you easily research different options for restaurants or movies. If you’re texting with friends and get their recs, there’s no need to toggle back and forth between your text thread and your Google search bar. By touching and holding the navigation bar, you can sift through different options on the lower half of the screen – without flipping back and forth between apps.

This novel way to search can also help with tricky tasks. Having trouble with your math or physics homework? ²Trying to repair your dishwasher? Wondering how to use Circle to Search to get help with a clue for a crossword puzzle? All you need to do is circle, tap, scribble, or highlight the word on your screen. Google AI can then give you hints or step-by-step instructions that provide you with a deeper understanding, not just the answer.