# AR-Driven Visual Search Tools Snapchat's 'Scan' Feature Let's Users Identify the World Around Them By Niko Pajkovic | Published 2021-08-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchats-scan References: [theverge](https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/26/22642017/snapchat-scan-feature-ar-camera-visual-search) & [snapchat](http://snapchat.com) Recently upgraded, [Snapchat's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dress-up) 'Scan' feature will now allow users to identify a wide range of objects and environments in the real world, such as clothes, dogs, plants, cars, and more. The recent upgrade, which sees the feature being prominently placed via the app's camera function, represents a major shift being made by the company to transition from a solely playful messaging app to a powerful [visual search engine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pricesnap). In addition, 'Scan' will also help the company address a common problem facing its users: the app houses millions of [user-created AR effects and lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-video-lenses) but makes them too difficult to access. With its AI-enabled recommendation abilities, 'Scan' will ensure users receive appropriate lenses depending on their environment. “We definitely think Scan will be one of the priorities for [Snapchat’s] camera going forward,” said Eva Zhan, Snapchat's head of camera product. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Ar-driven Visual Search:** AR-driven visual search can be implemented in various industries, such as fashion, automotive, and furniture retail, to enhance customer experience by providing personalized recommendations and detailed product information. - **AI-enabled Recommendation:** AI-enabled recommendation technology can be applied in social media platforms, e-commerce sites, and other online marketplaces to offer personalized content and products to users based on their preferences and behavior. - **Integrated AR Effects and Lenses:** Integrating AR effects and lenses with visual search tools in social media platforms and camera apps can create new opportunities for users to enhance their creative expression and discover new forms of digital content. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Retail:** AR-driven visual search and AI-enabled recommendation can transform the fashion retail industry by offering customers a more immersive and personalized shopping experience, both online and in-store. - **Automotive Retail:** AR-driven visual search can be used in the automotive retail industry to help customers explore and customize vehicles in a more interactive and informative way, streamlining the sales process and enhancing customer satisfaction. - **Social Media:** Integrated AR effects and lenses, combined with visual search and AI-enabled recommendation, can enrich the social media experience by enabling users to create and discover new forms of interactive and personalized content. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AR-Powered Shopping Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dress-up.md) - [Recipe-Recommending Camera Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-scan.md) - [AR-Enabled Snapchat NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat-3.md) - [AI-Generated Image Backgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat-6.md) - [AI-Powered Social AR Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snap-lens-studio.md) - [AR-Enabled Google Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-7.md) - [Social Media-Integrated AI Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chatgpt-3.md) - [AR-Based Eyewear Try-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-fashion-1.md) - [AR Garment Try-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-1.md)