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Circle (or highlight or scribble) to Search

Search and get the information you need – no switching apps required – with Circle to Search, an AI-powered feature on Pixel.
An image of a red bag, circled, to showcase the feature Circle to Search.
An image of a red bag, circled, to showcase the feature Circle to Search.
Key Takeaways
  1. Use Circle to Search, an AI-powered feature on Pixel, to find what you’re looking for online without switching apps.
  2. When the Google search bar appears, just use a finger to circle, tap, scribble, or highlight whatever’s piqued your interest.
  3. From shopping to translation, Circle to Search is designed to make search feel more natural and instantaneous.
Remember the first time you searched with Google?
Since the earliest days of Google, we’ve been focused on helping connect people’s curiosity to the information they’re seeking.

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.

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.

Here are four ways you can benefit with Circle to Search, all powered by the magic of Google AI.
1. Find the look – only on Pixel 10 Series phones
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.
Note: Results, availability, and compatibility vary. Requires Google account, age 18+, and Pixel 10 phones or newer.
2. Ask for more information

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 watching a movie set and want to learn more about a landmark that appears in it. Launch Circle to Search and circle the photo of the building to quickly find out it’s the Casa Rosada.

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.

3. Define words and translate phrases

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. 

4. Compare options quickly
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.

Want to learn more about how to use this feature to search your screen? Check out our

Circle to Search support guide.
 

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