Search isn’t what it used to be - and neither are shoppers.Forget the days of typing “blue winter jacket men’s medium” into Google and scrolling through 10 pages of results. Today, people are pointing their phones at something they like, tapping a screen, and boom - finding it online instantly.That’s the power of Google Lens. It’s not a new gimmick - it’s a serious shift in how people discover, compare, and buy products. And it’s changing the game for ecommerce brands that want to stay visible, competitive, and relevant.We're gonna break down how Google Lens works, what visual search really means for online retailers, and what steps you can take to actually benefit from it.Spoiler: it’s not just about good photos (but that’s part of it too).What is Google Lens?At its core, Google Lens lets people search using images instead of words.Snap a photo of a product, upload a screenshot, or even point your camera at something in real time - Lens will scan the visual info, identify what it’s seeing, and return search results. CnetThat could mean matching it to:• Product listings (with buy buttons)• Similar items across retailers• Local stores where it’s in stock• Related search queries or contentIt’s not just novelty tech either. As of 2024, Lens processes over 20 billion visual searches a month. That’s a lot of people skipping the keyword and going straight to the camera.What's more, users aren’t just using it to look - they’re using it to shop. Visual search is frictionless, fast, and feels native to how younger audiences already consume content and discover products (think TikTok, Pinterest, IG).For ecommerce brands, Google Lens is one of the clearest signs yet that discovery is moving beyond the search bar - and it’s time to catch up.Search has been changing for a while - why does this matter?Visual search isn’t just another tech trend - it’s a shift in behaviour. And like any shift, the brands that adapt early are the ones w...