topic Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search in Discussions

New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

gpendse — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:05:05 GMT

Hi everyone,

We’re rolling out a new feature over the next few weeks: visual search powered by Google Lens!

Why are we doing this? For several years you’ve been able to effectively search the internet with a number of search providers in Firefox. As those solutions have evolved to include visual search we’ve decided to support image-based search via Lens in Firefox. With this integration, we’re offering a frictionless, fast, and a curiosity-sparking way to (as Google puts it) “search what you see”.

With just a right-click on any image, you’ll be able to:
✨ Find similar products, places, or objects
✨ Copy, translate, or search text from images
✨ Get inspiration for learning, travel, or shopping

Look for the new “Search Image with Google Lens” option in your right-click menu (tagged with a NEW badge at first).

Try it for yourself by right clicking this image:

This is a desktop-only feature, and it will start gradually rolling out worldwide. Note: Google must be set as your default search engine for this feature to appear.

We’ll be listening closely to your feedback as we roll it out. Some of the things we’re wondering about:

Does the placement in the context menu align with your expectations?
Would you prefer the option to choose your visual search provider?
Where else would you like entry points to visual search (e.g. when you open a new tab, in the address bar, on mobile devices, etc.)

We can’t wait to hear your thoughts as the rollout begins!

Photo credit: Лариса Исаева on Pexels

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 19:30:07 GMT

Hello

Additional information.
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/implement-google-lenses-or-similar-functionality/idc-p/106126/ghlight/true#M55874

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:11:47 GMT

Hello

Additional information.

About Studies.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/shield
An test Remove button next to the study you want to opt out of.

For those interested, who do not practice, studies.

You can try.

1 - Go to Configuration Editor for Firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox
2 - Enter a search term browser.search.visualSearch.featureGate
You can double-click on the preference to set the value to true

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

SokPuppette — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:32:49 GMT

This is a perfect example of functionality that should be in an extension. I don't want a misclick sending images I'm viewing to anybody, least of all Google.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

D0m1n1c — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 03:28:47 GMT

Totally agree about this suggestion (make it an extension). Hope to see this as an option in the settings. After AI, now a thing that will push our data to Google servers.

Or like suggested by Mozilla : add an option to choose your visual search provider.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 05:38:27 GMT

Hello

If you are interested.

You can try.
Customize Firefox using policies.json.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customizing-firefox-using-policiesjson

An article.
https://www.camp-firefox.de/artikel/1104-enterprise-policy-generator-7-1-ermöglicht-deaktivierung-von-ki-funktionen-in-fi

The Enterprise Policy Generator https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/enterprise-policy-generator helps to create the configuration file.

{ "policies": { "VisualSearchEnabled": false } }

Restart Firefox.

Firefox policies affect all profiles.

Your browser is being managed by your organization.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

RedMenace — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 12:04:30 GMT

I'm also not interested in sending any personal data to a corporation that monetizes it. This just seems like a way for investors to shore up returns on their AI-related misadventures. A bad choice, all around.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

PaulFirefoxUX — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:33:49 GMT

Thanks for the feedback, SokPuppette!

If you don't have Google as your default search engine (and "least of all Google" suggests you don't) then this option won't appear for you.

And if you do have your default search engine set to be Google, then it takes 2 clicks to send (right click, then select the option), so the chances of this being triggered by a mis-click are vanishingly slim.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Synchro — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:46:45 GMT

I like this option itself and how it looks and works. The only thing I'd consider to change is to create a special "searching" block in a Right Click menu: one line for visual search and another for highlighted text search. Also I'd prefer the line for text search to be a list with all the search engines I have turned on.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Erwan — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:49:58 GMT

Good morning

I thought you valued respect for privacy and our personal data...

Why are you offering (imposing) more and more features on us that are the opposite of this?

While we should be talking about de-googling, you are locking Firefox into a mode of operation dependent on GAFAM.

What's up with you at Mozilla lately, I don't recognize you anymore.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

roseng — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:52:39 GMT

...supposing I'm trying to set the image as my desktop background?

Look, I get your rationale here, but I misclick in context menus all the time. It isn't "vanishingly slim", it's "oop, i meant to hit copy, but I hit cut instead". And, while it being disabled if google isn't your default browser is *nice*, it *also* pushes people who might use the feature but not use google to set google as the default, which I suspect is the actual reason it's implemented as such rather than any other, more sensible way. Please put it in an extension.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

ShaneWarne — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:37:45 GMT

I was checking out this page and the new visual search feature in Firefox sounds really nice. Being able to right click an image and find more info instantly is such a handy touch. It’s little updates like this that make everyday browsing feel easier and smarter.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:18:55 GMT

Hello

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/ai/m-p/107900/highlight/true#M41576

Ever wish you could peek at a page before you click?

On-device AI models in Firefox.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/on-device-models

Try link preview.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

jimmysaw — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:11:04 GMT

The new visual search powered by Google Lens in Mozilla is a game-changer! It makes browsing smarter and faster, you can identify objects, translate text, or shop directly from any image without typing a single word. Perfect for research, travel, and daily use. Firefox integrating this feature adds both convenience and innovation to visual discovery.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

luis123456789 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 16:05:52 GMT

Agree, this suggests a dark pattern as a given feature is only available if you give in to Google. It would be good to have the option for more visual search providers.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

luis123456789 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 16:06:54 GMT

> I thought you valued respect for privacy and our personal data...

That Firefox is long gone. This Firefox is a revenue stream for the CEO, and that requires more and more Google connections.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

harry37 — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:13:20 GMT

I like this option itself and how it looks and works. The only thing I'd consider to change is to create a special "searching" block in a Right Click menu: one line for visual search and another for highlighted text search. I got RBT Exam free from here. Also I'd prefer the line for text search to be a list with all the search engines I have turned on.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:01:51 GMT

Hello

@harry37 wrote:
Also I'd prefer the line for text search to be a list with all the search engines I have turned on.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Meem55 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:21:51 GMT

One more reason to say goodbye to Firefox 😞
It was already rather Google centred but now even more. That together with the AI crap is for me (and many others) a reason to look for another browser.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

Agentvirtuel — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:30:04 GMT

Hello

A discussion https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/ai-features-request-for-an-opt-in-update-model/td-p/115554

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

PaulFirefoxUX — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:15:24 GMT

This option doesn't appear if you have set your default search engine to be anything other than Google. No mode is 'locked into' – we intentionally give users choice.

Re: New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

PaulFirefoxUX — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:20:14 GMT

The Google Lens feature doesn't appear for users who don't have their default search engine set to Google.

The AI for features like link previews isn't a core part of the browser, it only gets downloaded and added the first time a user tries out the feature, and even then only if the user gives explicit consent to add the AI. It can be turned off by clicking the settings icon on the feature itself, and for users who change their minds the AI can be removed completely in about:addons.

We realise it's inconvenient to do that on a feature-by-feature basis, so there's an AI "kill-switch" coming soon that will be one button to block all AI features.