Circle (or highlight or scribble) to Search

And through our investments in AI, we’ve developed completely new ways to express what you’re looking for, in the way that’s most natural to you, like finding the name of the song just by humming it or searching for what you see using Lens. 

Now, imagine using that same “Google magic” to instantly do an image search to help you shop,  scouting a hidden travel gem in a vlog, or wondering about a landmark in a movie, you shouldn’t have to pause, copy-paste, or switch apps to get answers. With Circle to Search, an AI-powered feature that works on Pixel, you can search for anything on your current screen to get info you need instantly - all without switching apps.¹

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

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 see an outfit you love. Instead of searching for each item separately, Circle to Search uses multi-object search to break down the entire image for you. With a simple gesture, you can identify every piece - from the jacket down to the shoes - without ever leaving the app. 

Once you find a piece of clothing you like, you don’t have to guess how it looks on. By tapping the “Try in On” button, you can upload a photo of yourself, or select a model, to quickly see if the vibe matches your style.^2,3 It’s a faster, helpful and more assuring way to shop the looks that inspire you.

Want to find out if the skincare products your favourite expert recommended are right for you? Just circle all the products on screen and ask, “which of these work well for sensitive skin?” Google will identify all the items you selected, give you more information about each one, and highlight which ones may be better suited for your needs.

Or maybe 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.

If you’re still curious, you can ask follow-up questions and chat with Gemini right in Search. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend explaining exactly what you need to know about anything you see.

Want to learn more about how to use this feature to search your screen? Check out our Circle to Search support guide. 

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 useful 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, website, or chat. Just choose “scroll and translate” when you Circle to Search, and the text will continue to translate without interruption, even across apps. It works across more than 100

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? ⁴Trying 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.