AI overviews in Circle to Search—what it means for campaigns
With AI overviews, Circle to Search transforms how users find details—opening up new ways to enhance marketing campaigns.
Google just dropped some powerful updates to its “Circle to Search” tool, and it’s about to make life easier for Android users while opening up new doors for marketers.
With expanded AI features and smarter interactions, this isn’t just an update—it’s a shift in how people search and engage.
Here’s what’s going on:
💡 Pressed for time? Here’s what matters:
- AI overviews are now part of Circle to Search, offering instant, AI-generated insights for visuals like photos, logos, and text.
- Users can snap a photo or highlight screen content to get brand details, pricing, and even actionable links.
- Marketers can benefit by optimizing visuals for both digital and offline campaigns, turning ads and OOH materials into interactive experiences.
- Circle to Search is currently limited to select Android devices, but it signals where AI-powered discovery is heading.
AI overviews can now break down more visuals
Circle to Search just leveled up. Now, AI Overviews don’t just work with text—they’re also analyzing a wider range of visual content. From product photos and logos to trending images and artwork, you can circle almost anything on your screen to get an AI-generated summary with helpful links.
For example, if you see a cool product in a social post, you can circle it and instantly get details about the brand, price comparisons, related items, and even links to shop.
For marketers, this means your visuals—ads, product shots, or branding—could be picked up by Google’s AI and shown to users in these summaries. Think of it as your content working on autopilot to drive traffic and engagement.
Get things done faster by circling text, links, or numbers
Google made Circle to Search super practical for everyday use. Now it can recognize phone numbers, emails, and URLs right on your screen. Want to contact someone or visit a site? Just circle the info and tap—no need to copy, paste, or switch apps.
This is a win for marketers, too. A customer sees your ad, circles your email, and with one tap, they’re connecting. The fewer steps it takes for someone to reach you, the better the odds they’ll follow through.
It’s not just about digital campaigns
Here’s the kicker: Circle to Search works on any photo you take or have stored on your device. For marketers, this opens up opportunities far beyond the typical digital channels like social media or websites.
Think about OOH (out-of-home) marketing. Whether it’s a billboard, event signage, or product packaging, people can take a photo and use Circle to Search to learn more. That turns traditional advertising into an interactive game.
For example:
- A passerby takes a picture of your ad on a bus stop. With Circle to Search, they can instantly get info about your product, store locations, or even a discount code.
- Create campaigns that encourage people to “discover” hidden details in your visuals using Circle to Search, sparking curiosity and engagement.
These interactions could also contribute to your social media mentions as users share their discoveries, amplifying your reach without additional effort.
How this update reshapes marketing efforts
This isn’t just a fun upgrade for Android users—it’s an opportunity for marketers to step up their game. Here’s why:
- Visual content is working harder
AI Overviews are analyzing more than just text now. If your visuals are clear, informative, and optimized, they could land in a user’s search results without you doing anything extra. - SEO isn’t just for words anymore
It’s time to rethink SEO strategy for visual content. Make sure your images and videos are labeled, tagged, and formatted in a way that’s easy for Google’s AI to understand. - New opportunities for discovery
AI is changing how people find information. Circle to Search makes it easier for users to stumble across your brand when they least expect it. Optimizing for this is like opening up a whole new channel for reach. - Make offline campaigns interactive
With Circle to Search working on photos, marketers can rethink OOH campaigns as interactive experiences. Encourage audiences to snap pictures of your ads, packaging, or signage and explore more through Circle to Search. - Make connecting easier
With smarter recognition of contact details, your audience can act on your content immediately. Adding URLs, phone numbers, or emails to your visuals gives people a frictionless way to engage.
Circle to Search is just the beginning. While it’s only available on certain Android devices for now, tools like this hint at where AI is heading—making discovery and interaction more seamless.
And it’s not just Google leading the charge. OpenAI, Microsoft, and others are constantly introducing new AI tools that shape how people find and engage with content.
Small changes in user behavior today could completely shift marketing strategies tomorrow. Keeping an eye on these developments ensures your brand stays relevant and ready.
FAQs
How to use Google AI Circle to Search?
Long-press the Home button (3-button navigation) or navigation handle (gesture navigation), then circle or highlight text or images on your screen.
How do I turn on the Circle to Search?
Go to your phone’s settings, search for "Circle to Search," and toggle it on under the Google app settings.
How do I use Google AI search?
Activate Circle to Search, highlight text or images on your screen, and let Google AI provide summaries or search results.
How to trigger Circle to Search?
Long-press the Home button or navigation handle on your Android device to activate it.
