Google Lens is now integrated in Google Maps for menu help

Google Lens was introduced in 2017 as a standalone app, but with a recent update, it is now integrated within Google Maps. Lens is a recognition software that works with images. Now, it can help you to choose a restaurant to visit.

It is currently available for Android only; the date of integration with iOS was not named yet. The update combines the functionality of two apps in one and helps to make better choices and save time. In the future, it can be used for other websites and search results that include pictures. So how does it work and what kind of functionality does it offer for users? Let’s have a closer look.

Image: Unsplash

Exploring menus with Google Lens

Everyone knows the struggle to find a restaurant for an evening. Even if it is your hometown, it might be difficult, especially when looking into new places. Mostly, it is also hard when traveling to another city or even country. The majority of people choose to look online and find a place that offers something they might like on the menu. Many also trust online reviews, yet it is not always enough. A personalized search can now be done thanks to Google Lens integration with Maps.

If you always wanted to visit a restaurant nearby but hesitated to come in because the place seems too high-class for a student, you have a saver app now. Delegate your academics to EssayPro and go on wandering the streets with your smartphone. Let the professionals take care of the rest.

If you open Maps to find the closest restaurants or cafes, there is not always a digital menu available. Many clients prefer to upload pictures of the menu. They were not interactive before this update. Now, a user can view a picture of a menu on an Android device and see the “explore dishes” feature at the bottom of the screen.

There is also an icon in the top right corner that offers image search via Google Lens. It provides cross data on everything one might need to know. First of all, the most popular dishes get underlined and get a star in the picture. Now a person can see what things are most liked by other customers. It can help to have a choice. At the same time, you can still see the whole menu with prices and other information, so the research is not disturbed.

Basically, you get all the data on one image. There is also an image search of each particular dish one is interested in. You can click it and see several pictures that show how this food looks, which is also quite helpful.

This way even if a place doesn’t have a digital menu with pictures, a user can get a pretty good idea of what is served using one app. The best thing is that there is no need to access Lens separately; all the features are already integrated with Maps.

Further personalization of meal preferences

Like almost any Google product, this software offers further customization. If you mark and review places where you eat, it will give a satisfaction prediction for a new restaurant based on your previous choices.

It shows a match percentage for users to make an easier choice when planning where to eat. And this is extremely important as 90% of people research a restaurant online before going there. Everyone needs to know that they are going to get what they like. That’s why this functionality saves a lot of time as it offers cross data in one place. Add the fact that 52% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices and you will see how popular this feature will be.

Now you can find a place to eat fast and in almost any location in the world, which is especially amazing for travelers.

Adding meal preferences to your account

If you haven’t marked and reviewed places to eat, you can still insert personal preferences on your account to have better matches.

Tap on the profile picture in Maps to open the settings. There is an option called “exploring places.” Click it and go to “food and drink preferences.” There, you can add favorites, interesting and less interesting places. Based on this information, Maps and Lens will provide better recommendations.

It is incredibly useful for those who have special dietary plans, like vegan or vegetarian. It is also useful for people who have specific allergies or simple preferences. Now, the search engine can offer you exactly what you need.

This integration of Lens with Maps is an amazing tool for everyone who eats out. It combines lots of data in one place and helps to get the necessary information in the place. If there is a picture of a menu available, you can see the most popular dishes and see the way they look. If you put in personal preferences into account settings, you’ll get custom recommendations.

Note: This is a guest post. You’ll never find our opinions in them.

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