Google AI Tool Creates Menus from Images

Google has launched a new feature that leverages AI to help users create a detailed menu directly from a photo. This tool aims to simplify the process of updating or creating menus for restaurants and cafés.

To use this feature, navigate to the Edit Menu button on your Google Business Profile (GBP) dashboard. Once there, you can upload a clear image of your menu. It’s important to note that PDF files are not supported for this function.

This new capability offers a convenient and efficient way to set up or revise your menu, allowing you to quickly showcase your offerings to potential customers. By converting a simple image into a structured menu, this feature saves time and ensures that your business profile is up-to-date with minimal effort.

Here are some benefits of using Google’s new feature:

– Quick and Simple: The feature streamlines the process of creating a menu. After uploading your menu image, you can quickly make edits and publish the final version with minimal effort. This speeds up the time from upload to a live menu.

– Automatic Headers: The tool is designed to recognize and insert headers from your menu image. If your menu includes sections with specific titles, such as “Starters” or “Main Courses,” the feature will automatically place these headers in the appropriate places on your digital menu.

– Price Recognition: It also identifies and incorporates prices from the menu image. By scanning the image, the feature detects any listed prices and automatically adds them to the relevant items on the menu, ensuring accurate and complete information is presented.

Here are some drawbacks to using AI for generating a detailed menu from a photo:

– Single Photo Upload Limitation: The feature only allows you to upload one image at a time. If your menu is extensive and covers more than one page, you’ll need to manually update any additional parts of the menu not captured in the single photo. This limitation can be particularly challenging for restaurants with large or multi-page menus

– Technical Issues and Inaccuracies: The AI tool can exhibit various technical glitches. For instance, if your menu does not have headers, the AI might mishandle the content by creating two separate items: one for the menu’s title and another for the item descriptions. This separation can lead to formatting errors and make the final menu appear disjointed or confusing.

– Incorrect Price Insertion: The AI feature sometimes inserts prices even if your original menu does not include them. This issue can lead to inaccuracies, where some items might display incorrect or unexpected prices, potentially confusing customers and affecting their dining experience.

If you’re seeking a quick and efficient way to update your menu on your Google Business Profile, this new feature is a solid option. It streamlines the process of uploading your menu, which is important given that menu items could potentially affect your search ranking. By using this tool, you can ensure your menu is readily available and up-to-date, potentially improving your visibility and attractiveness to potential customers.