In a slight bow to those who don’t want AI built into the apps they use every day, Google said it will now offer a toggle that will allow users of its Google Photos app to return to the previous, faster “classic” search experience rather than a new AI-powered option known as “Ask Photos.”
Launched in the US in 2024, the “Ask Photos” feature allows users to search for photos using natural language queries with complex requests. Rollout of the product was temporarily halted last summer as the company worked to address issues with lag following user feedback.
Some Google Photos users weren’t used to the AI-powered experience and complained that Ask Photos was still missing some photos or that searches were less accurate than before.
Google offered an option to disable the use of Gemini in Google Photos, but it was buried in settings and often overlooked.
The company said it will provide users with an easier and more understandable way to switch between the two search experiences. A new toggle button on the search screen allows users to turn off Ask Photos AI search and instead see traditional results. However, Google said the results that best match a user’s query will always appear at the top.
In the announcement, shared by Google Photos head Shimrit Ben-Yair, the company suggested the move was prompted by user complaints about its “Ask Photos” feature. “We’ve heard feedback that you want more control over the types of results you see when you search in Google Photos,” Ben-Yair wrote in a post on X.
The executive also noted that Google has improved the quality of some of its most popular searches, also based on user feedback.
“We know that photo search is one of our most loved and used features, and we’re committed to getting this experience right. That’s why we appreciate your continued feedback, which helps us build an even more engaging experience for everyone,” she said.
