On 24 September 2026, Google added a multimodal filter to the Search Console Performance report. It shows clicks and impressions from searches that start with an image, such as Google Lens and Circle to Search, so you can finally see visual search traffic separately.
What the filter covers
Multimodal searches are searches that use an image as part of the question, including:
- Google Lens
- Circle to Search on Android phones
- Uploading an image to Google search
- “Search this image” when you right-click a picture in Chrome
Where to find it
- Open Search Console and go to Performance, then Search results.
- Make sure the search type is Web.
- Click the search type filter and choose Multimodal.
- Use Export to download the data if you want to compare it in a spreadsheet.
The filter is rolling out to all sites, so it may not appear on your property straight away.
What you will not see
There is no Queries tab for multimodal traffic. People search with a photo, not words, so Google does not have a text query to show. You will see which pages got the clicks, plus country and device, but not which image the person searched with.
How to use the data
- Find your visual winners. Sort pages by multimodal clicks. These are pages where your images match what people photograph.
- Compare with text traffic. Product, recipe, fashion, home decor and local business pages often get more visual search than you expect.
- Improve the images on those pages. Use original photos, clear subjects, descriptive file names and alt text, and place images next to the text that describes them.
- Add product details. For shops, product structured data with price and availability helps Google match a photo to your listing.
Why it matters
Visual search is growing fastest on mobile. Until now, this traffic was mixed in with everything else. Separating it lets you see whether better photos would bring more visitors.
Image SEO checklist for visual search
- Use original photos instead of stock images that appear on many other sites
- Show the subject clearly, well lit and filling the frame
- Give image files descriptive names, such as teak-dining-table-6-seater.jpg
- Write alt text that describes what the image shows
- Place each image next to the text that explains it
- Serve fast, compressed images in modern formats such as WebP
- Add product structured data with price and availability for shop items
Example: a furniture shop
A furniture store finds that its dining table pages get far more multimodal clicks than expected, because people photograph tables they see in cafes and friends’ homes. The store replaces supplier photos with its own, adds close-ups of the wood and legs, and describes each detail in the text. Those pages now match more visual searches.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the same stock photo as dozens of other websites
- Putting important information only inside images, where it is harder to read
- Uploading tiny or blurry images
- Blocking your image folders in robots.txt
Which pages usually get visual search traffic
- Products: furniture, fashion, gadgets and spare parts that people photograph to find or price
- Food and recipes: dishes people want to cook or find nearby
- Places: restaurants, shops and landmarks people point their camera at
- Plants and animals: pages that help identify a species or treat a problem
- How-to guides: pages with clear step-by-step photos
Frequently asked questions
What is multimodal search?
A search that uses an image, sometimes with words, instead of typed text alone. Google Lens and Circle to Search are the best-known examples.
Why can I not see search queries for multimodal traffic?
People search with a photo, so there is no typed query to report. Search Console shows pages, countries and devices instead.
Does alt text help with Google Lens traffic?
Alt text, file names and the surrounding text all help Google understand what an image shows and which searches it matches.
Can I see this traffic in Google Analytics 4?
Not separately. In GA4 it appears as ordinary Google organic traffic, so the Search Console filter is the place to measure it.
Learn the basics of reports in our web analytics and GA4 guide for beginners.