In 2018, Microsoft launched the new Microsoft Bing Visual Search tool. It lets users search the web using an image.
How can you use this new tool? And how does it affect retailers and customers?
Let’s find out!
Microsoft Bing Visual Search
Ever experienced seeing a flower and you forgot its name? You want to look it up on the web. But how can you search for something you don’t know the name of?
Well, that’s what visual search engines are for. Microsoft joined many companies that use this technology. Such as:
- Pinterest Lens
- Google Lens
- Amazon Visual Search
As mentioned, Microsoft launched a new intelligent tool. And it can help you in the above scenario.
So, how does it work?
First, take a photo of that flower using your camera. Also, you can upload a screenshot of it.
Then, Bing Visual Search will identify the flower. It can even suggest the nearest florist.
Visual Search is available in many apps. It includes:
- Bing app on iOS and Android
- Microsoft Launcher
- Microsoft Edge
Benefits of Microsoft Bing Visual Search
Sure, visual search makes it easier for us users. But how does it affect businesses?
Easier product search
First, it increases the accuracy of searching in e-commerce sites. So, they boost selling opportunities!
Moreover, it helps their customers find exactly what they’re looking for. It can also simplify the whole buying process. Why?
No need to attempt to describe colors in text-based searches.
Let’s say you saw your friend wearing a black hat. And you also want to buy the same thing. Yet, if you look for it on the site, it will show thousands of black hats.
Thus, it makes searching different for you. Also, it’ll take time before you find the same thing.
But with the Microsoft Bing visual search tool, you can find it in no time.
Better customer engagement
Visual search can also improve customer engagement. How?
Media companies want to connect the printed page and the real world. And the visual search can do that.
Say you saw a printed ad in a magazine. Take a photo of that using a visual search tool. Then, it can turn the ad into an interactive video.
Also, you can view a lot more information. Finally, you can even add it to your shopping cart.
How to Use Microsoft Bing Visual Search
You can use Visual Search to find similarities:
- products
- images
- pages with the image you’re looking for
- recipes
- many more
So, how can you use it?
First, click the Images tab. You can also go to Bing images.
Next, select the camera icon.
On a mobile device
Using your smartphone, you can:
- Take a photo directly
- Upload an image in your gallery
- Browse downloaded image files
On a desktop or laptop:
Using your PC, you can:
- Drag and drop the image into the search box. You can find one from Bing, another website, or your computer file.
- Take a photo using your webcam
- Upload pictures from your PC
- Paste an image URL
