Google Lens shortcut removes from Circle to Search

As Google Lens icon disappears, Search UI becomes less cluttered on Circle to Search

Tech Desk - Oct 12, 2024

An undated image of Google Lens logo. — DepositPhotos

Google has now removed the Google Lens shortcut from its Circle to Search feature, following the addition of a song lookup capability.

Circle to Search introduced the new song lookup capability indicated by the music note icon that now occupies the space between the search bar and the translate button.

Circle to Search loses Google Lens shortcut

Circle to Search is an innovative feature that would enable users to simply search for the content on their screens just by circling the desired area.

Circle to Search features five shortcuts, namely the “G” button for opening the Google app, voice search features, and Google Lens, followed by the music note icon for song search and translation.

Now that the search giant has removed the Google Lens shortcut, users won’t be able to visual search by having two-step direct access to the Google Lens.

Although losing direct access to Google Lens seems unfortunate changing to three buttons makes the screen more appealing and the Circle to Search UI less cluttered. Earlier, there were four side-by-side buttons.

The change for Circle to Search has been rolled out on both stable and beta versions of the Google app with a server-side update. It may also be a bug, but reports suggest otherwise.