Circle to Search is one of those features you don’t realize you need until you try it. It’s fast, seamless, and, honestly, a little addictive—but that’s not the only reason I can’t stop using it.
3It’s Easier to Identify and Learn About Things While Scrolling
Before Circle to Search, looking something up mid-scroll meant pausing, switching apps, and typing a query into my browser, dictionary, or one of the manyimage-identifying apps on my phone. If I stumbled across an intriguing image in a web series, the hassle ofdoing a reverse image search—especially for something I didn’t really need to know—was often enough to make me abandon the search altogether.
Now, all I have to do is hold down my home button and draw a quick circle around whatever interests me. Then Google instantly pulls up relevant results without any interruptions or extra steps.
Say I come across a historical reference I don’t recognize in an article, a sentence in another language in an e-book, or a sleek new logo in an ad. Instead of copying, pasting, or opening a new tab, I just circle it and get answers on the spot. It even works on images and QR codes. There’s no need to screenshot or jump between apps.
Even better, Circle to Search isn’t just for looking things up. I can highlight and copy text straight from images, PDFs, or apps that don’t usually allow text selection. Whether I’m researching or just trying to grab a snippet from an infographic without launching Google Lens and the like, it’s like having a built-in research assistant that works anywhere, anytime.
2I Don’t Have to Leave the App
One of the best things about Circle to Search is that I rarely have to leave whatever app I’m in. Whether I’m playing a crossword puzzle, stuck on a tricky trivia question, or reading through a dense forum thread, I can highlight what I need and get answers instantly.
It’s especially handy when I’m browsing LinkedIn, chatting, or engaging in online forums. If someone mentions a company, a book, or a concept I’m unfamiliar with, I can instantly get enough context to stay in the loop without getting sidetracked by a separate Google search.
1It’s Much Easier to Grab and Share Screenshots
Circle to Search has also completely changed how I share information. Instead of taking a full screenshot, opening another app, and painstakingly cropping what I need, I can circle the section I want and send it off in seconds.
The best part is that it doesn’t clog up my gallery with one-off screenshots I’ll never look at again. Once I’ve shared what I need—whether it’s a meme, a product link, or a snippet from an article—I can just tap my back button a few times and continue what I was doing. No extra steps, no unnecessary clutter.
At this point, using Circle to Search is like second nature. And as AI-powered search evolves, I can only imagine it getting even better. If you haven’t tried it yet,give Circle to Search a go. It might just become your favorite phone feature, too.
