Google’s ‘Circle to Search’ testing new audio search feature: What It Means for Users

Top 3 Key Points:

1. Google is testing an “Audio Search” feature within the “Circle to Search” tool.
2. This feature can identify and search for audio content, including songs playing in the background or being hummed.
3. Similar to TikTok’s recent updates, this could be a step towards monetizing audio and video search capabilities.

Google is experimenting with a new feature called “Audio Search” within its existing “Circle to Search” tool. This addition could enable users to identify and search for audio clips from various sources directly through the Google app.

How to Use Audio Search in Circle to Search

Google frequently updates its search tools with new features. Earlier this year, the company introduced “Circle to Search,” which allows users to circle an object in an image or video to get more information about it. Now, Google is expanding this tool by adding the ability to search for audio clips.

Although the feature isn’t widely available yet, it was discovered in a beta version (15.32.36) of the Google app. According to reports, the Audio Search function enables Google to listen to audio and identify it, whether it’s a song playing on your device or background music in your surroundings. Remarkably, it can even recognize tunes that users hum.

To use this feature, you start by opening Circle to Search. A new music note icon appears in the bottom-right corner, next to the language options. When you tap on this icon, Google begins to listen to the audio and searches for a match.

Since Circle to Search works across different apps, this audio search capability could be used in various situations. While still in its early stages, this feature shows promise, and Google might roll it out more broadly in a future update.

Monetizing Audio and Video Content on Social Media

Identifying and searching for audio or video content isn’t new, but it’s becoming increasingly sophisticated. Social media platforms like TikTok have already started leveraging similar technology with features like “TikTok Spotlight,” which tags video clips with links for easy access to related content. TikTok is building a database of popular movies, TV shows, and other media, and Google might follow suit with its Audio Search feature in Circle to Search.

With its vast database of multimedia content, Google could potentially use Audio Search to suggest ways to purchase or stream the content users find. This could be a significant step towards monetizing search capabilities for audio and video content.