Google has been aggressively pushing for Gemini’s comprehensive integration in recent years, and the technology can be seen in almost every core product, from Search and Docs to mobile device features. Google Photos is no exception. The recently launched “Ask Photos” feature is powered by Gemini, allowing users to search for photos using natural language—even for complex queries like “help me find the photo of the blue swimsuit I took at the beach last summer.” This feature indeed demonstrates AI’s powerful image-understanding capabilities, but not all users are sold on it.
If you don’t like Gemini, Google Photos will add an option to switch back to classic search.
As Ask Photos rolls out to more regions, Google has received a lot of feedback. Some people find natural language search convenient, but others feel it slows down search or is less intuitive than traditional keyword search—especially for users with large photo libraries, where AI search latency is more noticeable. For example, my Google Photos storage is nearing 1.5TB, and Ask Photos often takes longer to process queries, making searches that should be quick feel somewhat sluggish.
In response to this feedback, Google has finally made adjustments. Shimrit Ben-Yair, the executive overseeing Google Photos, Google One, and AI subscription services, recently announced on X that the company will give users more control over their search experience. In short, users will soon be able to choose freely between using Ask Photos, powered by Gemini, or switching back to the familiar “classic search” mode. The change may seem small, but for users accustomed to different search methods, it is an important adjustment that adds flexibility.
We’ve heard your feedback that you want more control over the type of results you see when searching in Google Photos. To address this, we’re starting to roll out a new experience that puts you in the driver’s seat, letting you choose between fast classic search and intelligent… pic.twitter.com/XjPIkHn6sq
— shimrit ben-yair (@shimritby) March 9, 2026
Ask Photos is indeed well-suited for semantically complex, descriptive queries—such as “find photos of me making a cake with my grandma”—the kind of content traditional search struggles to match accurately. However, not every search requires AI’s deep understanding. Often, we simply want to quickly find photos taken on a specific date, at a specific location, or containing a specific object, where traditional search is actually more direct and effective. That’s why some users want to keep a classic search mode instead of being forced to use AI search.
Google has clearly recognized this too. Therefore, besides offering a toggle option, Shimrit also revealed that the company is continuously working to improve Ask Photos’ search quality. Google stated that these updates will optimize common queries, enabling the AI to understand user intent and return results more accurately and quickly. These improvements also come from user feedback, indicating that Google is increasingly valuing users’ real-world experience as it pushes AI products forward.
In the near future, Google Photos will add a toggle to its interface that lets users switch freely between Ask Photos and classic search. This design not only lets users choose the search method that best fits their needs, but also signals that Google’s AI product strategy is maturing—not pushing AI unilaterally, but making it an option rather than a requirement. If you still encounter issues such as inaccurate results, slow speeds, or misunderstood queries while using Ask Photos, Google also encourages users to share feedback through the feedback mechanism. This feedback will serve as an important basis for future improvements, helping the overall search experience continue to get better.
Overall, Google’s recent adjustment is a commendable direction. While AI search is undoubtedly powerful, users have diverse needs, and not every situation calls for relying on AI. Offering choices and respecting user habits are key to making a product truly resonate with its audience. This update to Google Photos reflects something tech companies are gradually learning in the AI era: the best technology isn’t the kind you force on people—it’s the kind they’re willing to use.
Source: KOCPC Chinese