Back to all articles
•Technology

Google Introduces Toggle for Classic Search in Photos App Amid AI Criticisms

View original source

Google has addressed user feedback regarding its Google Photos app by introducing a toggle feature, allowing users to revert to the previous "classic" search experience. This change comes in response to criticism about the newer AI-powered Ask Photos search feature, launched in the U.S. in 2024. Key points include:

  • Ask Photos allows users to search their photos with natural language, supporting complex queries.
  • The rollout was briefly paused in 2025 to improve latency issues following user feedback.
  • Some users found the AI experience inadequate, noting less accurate search results compared to the classic option.
  • Previously, disabling the AI search option was possible but concealed in settings, making it less accessible.
  • A new toggle button on the search screen facilitates easier switching between search modes.
  • Shimrit Ben-Yair, Google Photos lead, indicated that user control over search results prompted this modification.
  • Google has also improved the quality of popular searches based on feedback, emphasizing the importance of user input in enhancing this feature.