Google is reintroducing its AI search tool, Ask Photos, after pausing its beta earlier this month. Originally unveiled at Google I/O 2024, the feature allows users to perform more intuitive photo searches using natural language. Instead of searching by location or date, users can now ask questions like, “What did I eat on my trip to Barcelona?” and the app will identify relevant photos using Google’s Gemini AI models.
Ask Photos had been in beta testing since September but was rolled back due to performance issues. Google received feedback that simple searches were slower because the AI models were handling even basic queries like “beach” or “dogs.” The company said this feedback prompted improvements to latency and user experience.
With its relaunch, Ask Photos will now combine classic search features with AI enhancements. This means faster results for simple searches while still supporting more advanced requests in one place. The updated version is currently rolling out in the U.S., though Google has not confirmed when it will expand globally.
