New in Firefox (Desktop Only): Visual Search

[gpendse]

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

[Agentvirtuel]

Hello

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

[Agentvirtuel]

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

[SokPuppette]

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.

[D0m1n1c]

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.

[RedMenace]

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.

[PaulFirefoxUX]

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.

[roseng]

...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.

[Agentvirtuel]

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-vo...

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.

[Synchro]

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.

[Erwan]

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.