Pinterest Lens lets you search Pinterest with a picture instead of words. In the app, tap the magnifying glass, then the camera icon in the search bar, and snap a photo or pick one from your camera roll; on a computer, click the lens icon in the search bar and upload an image.
Pinterest's own examples sum it up well: point Lens at an ingredient to find recipes, or at someone's outfit to find the pieces. It's for the moments when you know what you like but can't describe it.
There's also a second tool that does something similar inside Pins you're already looking at. I'll cover both, with the steps Pinterest gives for each device.
Using Lens on a computer
- Log in to Pinterest and click the lens icon in the search bar.
- Upload an image, then click the chevron-right icon.
- Or pick one of the images you've uploaded before.
- Browse the ideas Pinterest finds.
Using Lens on Android
- Log in to the Pinterest app and tap the magnifying-glass icon.
- Tap the camera icon in the search bar.
- When asked for camera access, tap While using the app or Only this time.
- Pinch to zoom, or tap an object to focus on it.
- Tap the button to take a picture, or choose a photo from your camera roll.
Using Lens on an iPhone
- Log in to the Pinterest app and tap the magnifying-glass icon.
- Tap the camera icon in the search bar.
- Tap Continue, then Allow, to give Pinterest access to your camera and photos.
- Pinch to zoom or tap an object to focus.
- Snap a picture or pick one from your camera roll.
Two tips from Pinterest itself: hold your phone steady for a clearer picture, and if the photo's too dark, tap the lightning bolt at the top right of the camera screen to turn on the flash.
Visual search inside a Pin
Lens starts from your camera. Visual search starts from a Pin. If you open a Pin and like one thing in it, a lamp in a living room photo, say, you can search for just that item.
In the app there are three ways in:
- Open a Pin and tap anywhere on the image.
- Open a Pin and tap the magnifying-glass-sparkle icon.
- Tap and hold a Pin in your home feed or boards, then drag to the magnifying-glass-sparkle icon.
Searchable or shoppable items in the Pin will glow. Tap one to see similar ideas, or pinch to zoom on a specific area. You can drag the corners of the cropper to adjust what you've selected, and tap it again to deselect.
Lens vs visual search at a glance
| Pinterest Lens | Visual search | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | Your camera or a photo you upload | A Pin you've opened |
| Where to find it | Camera or lens icon in the search bar | Magnifying-glass-sparkle icon on a Pin |
| Best for | Things in the real world | One item inside a Pin |
| Shopping | Finds ideas inspired by what you photograph | Can show similar items available to buy, where available |
| Not available on | Not stated | Ads and collage Pins |
Narrowing down what you find
On some Pins, suggested keywords appear below the image after a visual search. Swipe up on the grid of results to see more of them and refine what you're looking for. It's a quick way to go from a broad match to something specific, like a colour or a style.
You can also cut out objects from Pins and add them to collages. If the cutout comes from a product Pin, it keeps the shopping details, which makes the collage shoppable. If you like that idea, here's how to make a collage on Pinterest.
Shopping from a photo
Visual search can also find things to buy. Select an object in a Pin and, where it's available, Pinterest shows similar items you can buy on a merchant's website. On a computer, some shoppable objects light up when you hover over them, and the results appear beside the image. In the app they appear below it. The results change depending on which object you select, so try tapping different items in the same picture.
When Lens doesn't find what you want
- Get closer so the object fills most of the frame.
- Tap the object to focus before you take the picture.
- Turn the flash on in dim light.
- Try a clearer photo from your camera roll instead of a live shot.
- Check Pinterest has camera permission in your phone's settings.
You can also go back to an image you've already used. On a computer, Lens lets you select from your previously uploaded images, so you don't need to find the file again if you're comparing results.
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Pinterest's Lens help article hasn't been updated in a long while, so the icons on your screen might look slightly different. The steps above match the current help pages, and the camera icon in the search bar is the thing to look for.
Using it for your business
If you sell physical products, this is worth thinking about. People photographing a jumper or a sofa they like are shopping with their eyes, and Pinterest is matching what they see to Pins. Clear product photos on plain backgrounds give the tool something to match. If Pinterest is part of your marketing, my take on why Pinterest is good for business explains where it fits.
My advice
Use Lens when you're out and about and something catches your eye, and visual search when you're scrolling and one detail stands out. Both save you trying to guess the right words. And if you're a business, make your Pins easy for these tools to read: one clear product, good light, no clutter.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pinterest Lens?
Lens lets you discover ideas inspired by anything you point your Pinterest camera at, or by a photo you upload.
How do I search by image on Pinterest?
Tap the magnifying glass, then the camera icon in the search bar. On a computer, click the lens icon and upload an image.
Can I use Pinterest Lens on a computer?
Yes. Click the lens icon in the search bar, upload an image and click the chevron-right icon.
What is the sparkle icon on a Pin?
It's the magnifying-glass-sparkle icon for visual search, which lets you search for items inside a Pin and see similar ideas.
Why can't I use visual search on some Pins?
Pinterest says visual search features are not available on ads or collage Pins at this time.
