Google responds to user complaints about its AI-powered “Ask Photos” search feature

In a small capitulation to those who don’t want to integrate AI into their everyday apps, Google said it is now offering a toggle that will allow users of its Google Photos app to return to the previous, often faster, “classic” search experience instead of the newer, AI-powered option known as “Ask Photos.”

The Ask Photos feature, launching in the US in 2024, allows users to search their photos using natural language queries, including complex requests. The product’s rollout was briefly paused last summer as the company worked to address latency-related issues, following user feedback.

Some Google Photos users never warmed to the AI-powered experience, complaining that Ask Photos still failed to find some of their photos and that searches were less accurate than before.

While Google offered an option to disable the use of Gemini in Google Photos, it was buried in settings and often overlooked.

The company said it will provide users with an easier and clearer way to switch between the two search experiences. With a new toggle button on the search screen, users can turn off Ask Photos AI search and view classic results instead. Google said it will continue to access which results best fit a user’s query.

In the announcement, shared by Google Photos head Shimrit Ben-Yair, the company indicated that the move was prompted by user complaints about the Ask Photos feature. In a post on X, Ben-Yair wrote: “We heard your feedback that you want more control over the type of results you see when searching Google Images.”

The CEO also noted that Google has improved the quality of some of the most popular searches, also based on user feedback.

“We know that image search is one of our most loved and used features, and we’re committed to getting this experience right, so please keep providing feedback! It helps us build an even more magical experience for everyone,” she said.