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Title

Article: Google gives in to users’ complaints over AI-powered ‘Ask Photos’ search feature

Impact Score

3 / 10

AI Summary (Processed Content)

Google is introducing a toggle in Google Photos to let users easily switch back to the faster "classic" search instead of the newer AI-powered "Ask Photos" feature. This follows user complaints about Ask Photos' latency, inaccuracies, and the previous difficulty of disabling the AI search.

The change, announced by Google Photos lead Shimrit Ben-Yair, is a direct response to feedback from users who wanted more control and better search results. Google states it has improved popular searches based on this feedback and remains committed to refining the feature.

The main topics covered are Google's product update in response to user feedback, the comparison between AI-powered and classic search features, and the company's ongoing efforts to improve the Google Photos search experience.

Original URL

https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/google-gives-in-to-users-complaints-over-ai-powered-ask-photos-search-feature/

Source Feed

TechCrunch

Published Date

2026-03-10 14:58

Fetched Date

2026-03-10 12:30

Processed Date

2026-03-10 12:33

Embedding Status

Present

Cluster ID

Not Clustered

Raw Extracted Content

In a slight capitulation to those who don’t want AI infused into their everyday apps, Google said it’s now offering a toggle that will allow users of its Google Photos app to return to the previous and often faster “classic” search experience instead of the newer AI-powered option known as “Ask Photos.”
The Ask Photos feature, launched in the U.S. in 2024, lets users 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 issues around latency, following user feedback.
Some Google Photos users never warmed up 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 the settings and was often overlooked.
The company said it will offer users an easier and more visible way to switch between the two search experiences. Via a new toggle button on the search screen, users can turn the Ask Photos AI search off and view the classic results instead. Google said it will still lead with whichever results best fit the user’s query, however.
In the announcement, shared by Google Photos lead Shimrit Ben-Yair, the company suggested that the move was driven by users’ complaints about the Ask Photos feature. In a post on X, Ben-Yair wrote, “We’ve heard your feedback that you want more control over the type of results you see when searching in Google Photos.”
The exec also noted that Google had improved the quality of some of the most popular searches, also based on user feedback.
“We know search in Photos is one of the most loved and used features and we’re committed to getting this experience right, so please keep the feedback coming! It helps us build a more magical experience for everyone,” she said.