Ebay offers visual search tools for mobile users
Mobile shoppers can scour auction site eBay for purchases using images, following the launch of two features: Image Search and Find It On eBay. Image Search, available on iOS and Android, allows customers to use a photo from their smartphone to search for items on the eBay site. Meanwhile, Find It On eBay, which is only available to Android customers, allows an image from any social platform, blog or website to be used to find products on eBay.

Following the announcement of its visual search tools back in July, eBay has finally launched them, enabling mobile shoppers to use their camera to search for products on the auction site.

The image-recognition features, which are called ‘Find It On eBay’ and ‘Image Search’, are available on eBay’s mobile apps.

With Find It On eBay, consumers are able to able to search for a product from any social platform, blog, or website by sharing an image from the platform with eBay. The eCommerce giant’s app then provides similar listings to the product featured in the picture.

Through Image Search, users click on the in-app camera button and take a photo, or use an existing photo from the phone’s gallery. Once again, eBay surfaces visually similar listed products for the shopper to consider purchasing.

“Moments of shopping inspiration can come at any time, whether you’re walking down the street or browsing your social media feed,” said Mohan Patt, VP of buyer experience at eBay, in July. “At eBay, we’re focused on creating new complementary technology that helps our millions of shoppers easily find the things they love at the best value. eBay Image Search and Find It On eBay make it possible for people to shop eBay using any image or photo that inspires them.”

Find It On eBay is only available on Android, while Image Search is available on both Android and iOS.

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