Pinterest Lens vs Search by Image

Pinterest Lens lets people search for ideas using objects in pictures. On mobile, users can take a photo or choose one from the camera roll; on the web, they can upload an image or select one previously uploaded. Pinching to zoom or tapping an object helps focus the camera. Visual search can find Pins with items similar to a whole image or part of one, and suggested keywords or refinements can narrow results. Where available, users can select an object in a Pin to find similar items for sale on merchant websites. They can also cut objects out of Pins and add them to collages. Pinterest says visual search features are not available on ads or collage Pins. Lens is free on Android, iOS, and web, and requires a Pinterest account; mobile camera search requires camera access. Pinterest provides controls to access, edit, or delete personal data and adjust certain privacy and data-sharing settings. On Android, camera permission allows Lens to take pictures or look for ideas through the camera.

Search by Image is a free website and browser extension for finding products from pictures or image links. Its artificial-intelligence visual recognition searches for similar images across AliExpress, Alibaba, Amazon, and eBay. You can upload a photo from a computer or mobile device, paste an image URL, or use an extension for Chrome, Edge, Opera, Firefox, Whale, or Yandex. In a browser, right-click an image and choose “Find product by image,” or enter its URL in the extension popup. The site also describes finding products shown in YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos by uploading a screenshot. It says shoppers can compare marketplace and online-store prices. The Free plan is free, covering the website and browser extensions. Results can fail when images are low quality, contain too many objects, or product servers are overloaded; cropping or trying another image may help.