Google Photos tests the return of a powerful missing feature.
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Key Takeaways
- Google Photos is testing a “More Like This” feature that finds visually similar images directly from the photo view.
- The feature could dramatically speed up photo cleanup and organization.
- A similar feature was once available but was removed three years ago.
Google Photos is quietly testing a powerful “More like this” feature that lets you find visually similar photos in a single tap.
A recent report from Android Authority shows the new “More like this” option appearing in the “three-dot” overflow. Tapping it brings up a grid of images that the app ranks in order of visual similarity to the one you’re looking at. The report claims it will help you find “identical images,” but based on the screenshots provided, the feature appears to be designed to find pictures that are similar, but not exactly the same as the one you’re looking at.
This tool could significantly speed up finding related pictures, eliminating the need to scroll through many screens or construct accurate search terms to narrow down your search.
More Like This: Find Similar Photos In Google Photos
The report includes two examples that reveal how the feature will function, albeit in an incomplete state.
The first shows a picture of an electricity meter. After tapping on “More like this,” shots of other electricity meters show up ranked in order of similarity to the original. Interestingly, all images are currently assigned a similarity score of 0.000, but the selection of images appears reasonable.
Google Photos is testing a “More like this” feature that helps you find similar images. The feature was previously available, but removed 3 years ago.
ANDROID AUTHORITY/ASSEMBLE DEGBUG
A second example shows a picture of someone holding a smartphone. Here, the “More like this” feature appears to be less accurate, as in some cases, screenshots are ranked higher than actual photos of smartphones. It’s early days, though, so it’s reasonable to expect the ranking to be off at this stage, especially given the incorrect scoring currently on display.
The examples only show photos in the results, so it doesn’t look like “More like this” will work for videos at this point, although that would be a handy feature, as searching through videos is much more time-consuming than looking through photo thumbnails.
The feature is most likely powered by AI — there are several small AI models that could achieve this function, so it’s possible that the feature could be made to run offline without the need for your photos to be backed up to Google’s servers. We’ll have to wait and see on that one, though.
Google Photos: “More Like This” Is Not A New Feature
Interestingly, the “More like this” feature isn’t actually new. These Reddit posts reveal that Google Photos previously offered a version of this feature in the past, only to remove it three years ago without notice. This sudden reappearance of the feature suggests a relaunch in line with Google’s increasing support for decluttering and storage-saving tools. However, for now, the feature remains dormant in the code and isn’t available to users. Reinstating “More like this” is a simple addition for Google, and users who have been frustrated by the lack of visual search features would surely welcome its return.
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