best visual search engine

Best Visual Search Engine: Pinterest, Google, Or Bing?

Visual search engines changed the whole search industry. But what is the best visual search engine?

Let’s find out!

The Search for the Best Visual Search Engine

For many years, the text-based search showed how limited its functions are. Some of its limitations are:

  • inaccurate or irrelevant results
  • static data set of words
  • repeat results

So, visual search engines redefine these limits. It provides relevant and real-time results. Thus, it proves useful to our lives.

In this article, we will review the three best visual search engines.

  1. Pinterest
  2. Google
  3. Bing

Pinterest Lens

Pinterest helps you find things. Especially when you don’t know how to describe them.

In fact, there are over 200 million monthly users of Pinterest Lens.

Also, it has different offers to advertisers. It also has paid to advertise. Thus, it creates more avenues for sales. 

Moreover, Pinterest Lens is easy to use. How does it work?

Simply point your camera to an item. You can also scan:

  • objects
  • paintings
  • fashion styles
  • and many more

Additionally, it doesn’t just identify the object. It can also recognize its shape, material, and purpose.

Let’s say you search for a black mug. Pinterest identifies it as a mug. Also, it can recognize its stylistic details that interest users.

Google Lens

Google debuted in visual search with Google Googles. After that, it launched Google Lens. This new tool is available via Google Assistant.

Google Lens lets users search using cameras. It even works in different situations.

Moreover, this powerful tool can detect almost everything. It includes:

  • Clothing
  • Handbags
  • Shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Products
  • Barcodes
  • QR codes
  • Places and landmarks
  • Cats and dogs
  • Plants
  • Flowers

Additionally, it can be a good help for advertisers. Lens has paid search features. Thus, it helps online retailers promote their businesses.

Also, Lens can help in-store businesses. Users can get redirected by the local searches.

For example, you took a photo of a menu you saw on the street. Then, Google Lens will show you the location of that restaurant.

Besides, Google Lens also has a voice search feature. It allows users to simplify searching using smart devices.

Bing Visual Search

Bing visual search tool originally launched in 2009. But it did not take off well. So, Microsoft removed it in 2012.

Yet in 2017, it was relaunched. Bing visual search now has advanced AI technologies. So, it can scan photos automatically.

In the early versions, users have to draw boxes around the items to look it up. Now, AI automated this process.

Also, Bing’s visual search is similar to Pinterest. Its search results also lead to shoppable links to online stores.

Bing shows the pricing details, too. So, like other engines, it can help advertisers with their ads.

Still, Bing has left some room for improvement. Searching using crowded images can be hard.

For example, you’re searching for living room decor ideas. But, it will not always look for specific items.

What is the best visual search engine?

Each one of the engines we discussed has its ups and downs. Pinterest has billions of data points. It can even provide the most accurate search.

On the other hand, Bing lacks connections in a way Pinterest can. Yet, it has big strides of achievements.

Also, Google needs to improve its object recognition. Thus, it will be the winner in the long run.

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