Firefox Will Offer Visual Searching on Images With AI-Powered Google Lens

"We've decided to support image-based search," announced the product manager for Firefox Search. Powered by the AI-driven Google Lens search technology, they promise the new feature offers "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). 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!
Some thoughts from WebProNews: Mozilla emphasizes that this is an opt-in feature, giving users control over activation, which aligns with the company's longstanding commitment to privacy and user agency.

Yet, for industry observers, this partnership with Google raises intriguing questions about competitive dynamics in the browser space, where Firefox has historically positioned itself as an independent alternative to Chrome... This move comes at a time when browsers are increasingly becoming platforms for AI-driven enhancements, as evidenced by recent updates in competitors like Microsoft's Edge, which integrates Copilot AI. Mozilla's decision to leverage Google Lens rather than developing an in-house solution could be seen as a pragmatic step to accelerate feature parity, especially given Firefox's smaller market share. Insiders note that by tapping into established technologies, Mozilla can focus resources on core strengths like privacy protections, potentially attracting users disillusioned with data-heavy ecosystems... While mobile users might feel left out, the phased rollout over the next few weeks allows for feedback loops through community channels, a hallmark of Mozilla's open-source ethos.

Data from similar integrations in other browsers suggests visual search can boost engagement by 15-20%, per industry reports, though Mozilla has not disclosed specific metrics yet... Looking ahead, Mozilla's strategy appears geared toward incremental innovations that bolster user retention without alienating its privacy-focused base. If successful, this could help Firefox claw back some ground against Chrome's dominance, estimated at over 60% market share. For now, the feature's gradual deployment invites ongoing dialogue, underscoring Mozilla's community-driven model in an industry often criticized for top-down decisions.

Can I use it to...

[MpVpRb]

...search for AI generated fake images and block them?

No Google

[markdavis]

>"We can't wait to hear your thoughts as the rollout begins!"

I don't use Google Search. I am sure some people will find this interesting/useful, but I prefer my searching to be on things not directly using/informing Google- like DuckDuckGo and StartPage, if I can help it.

Now cue the posts about how this isn't a feature anyone wants and why they are wasting time on this. I do think Mozillia needs to keep up with such stuff, or some segments of the "market" will dismiss Firefox as second-rate (which it i

Re:

[fahrbot-bot]

// Disable Search Image with Google Lens
user_pref("browser.search.visualSearch.featureGate", false);

Re:

[martin-boundary]

Well done! Until the next time Google renames the preference variables or changes the semantic meaning without telling anyone, then that solution won't work again.

Privacy invading features should always be opt-out by default.

Re:

[madbrain]

I think you meant to write that they should be opt in.

Is Mozilla getting distracted again via

[Tablizer]

...gee-whiz shit? The first time is how Chrome stole their ball.

Re:

[gweihir]

Why "again"? Mozilla has lost its way a long time ago.

Re:

[thegarbz]

...gee-whiz shit? The first time is how Chrome stole their ball.

Is that a typical knee jerk reaction from you for every feature announcement? Google lens style image search is actually incredibly useful.

Re:

[NotEmmanuelGoldstein]

... incredibly useful.

Really???

I used Google Image Search, when it was around: It was 10 times better than its replacement, Google Lens (for Google Chrome). How did the same company, using the same database, become less competent finding photos? Now, Google Lens is not on available on Google Chrome: It must be installed as a spyware applet.

I've switched to TinEye, it's better than Google Image Search was.

Re:

[NotEmmanuelGoldstein]

I'll allow it, as long as the Subject box ends with a "..." and the Body box begins with a "..." (not a quote).

Oh my god, When????

[Excelcia]

From the article:

where Firefox has historically positioned itself as an independent alternative to Chrome

Oh my God.... exactly when has Firefox been an independent alternative to Google anything? The majority of Mozilla's funding has been from Google for a long time now. Firefox has been playing follow-the-leader with Chrome since it came out. That's what got them into their mess.

Firefox tried to emulate Chrome's rapid release cycle in a project that was neither technically nor culturally suited to that

Re:

[Kokuyo]

Why not both?

So?

[paul_engr]

Firefox has been such an unusable pile of shit for at least a decade. Stop changing the UI. Make it possible to modify the UI, easily, from the plain settings menu. Get rid of all bloat, all perpetual login BS, and make it fast as fuck.