What feature lets users search by taking a photo on Pinterest?

The Pinterest feature that lets users search by taking a photo is called Pinterest Lens.

Pinterest Lens uses visual search to identify objects, styles, or products in a camera image and then suggest related Pins. Instead of typing a description, users can point their phone at something they like—or upload a photo—and use the image as the starting point for discovery.

Pinterest introduced Lens in 2017 alongside other visual-search tools, including Instant Ideas and Shop the Look. The feature reflected Pinterest’s shift from being only a collection of saved images toward becoming a visual discovery and shopping platform. A photographed chair, outfit, recipe ingredient, or home-decor item can lead to visually similar ideas.

Pinterest Lens is often confused with a generic camera or scanning tool. The camera is the input method; Lens is the name of the visual-search feature. It is also related to, but distinct from, ordinary keyword search, which relies on words rather than image recognition.