While Google Multisearch might not be a brand-new feature, it’s quietly become one of the most important developments in the way people search. What started as a visual search enhancement is now part of a wider trend towards multi-modal, intent-rich search behaviour.
If you’re serious about staying visible in search results, keeping up with how this feature evolves is a must for a successful SEO strategy. Keep reading as we explore what Google Multisearch is, how it works, and more importantly, how you need to reshape your SEO efforts.
What is Google Multisearch?
Put simply, Google Multisearch allows users to combine an image and text in a single search. Using Google Lens, it enables people to take a photo or upload an image and then add a keyword or phrase to refine what they’re looking for.
Think of it as a way to ask more specific questions about what you’re seeing. For example:
- You take a picture of a sofa and add the words “leather” or “under £500”
- You snap a food dish and search “near me” to find restaurants that serve that dish
- You upload a product image and add “alternatives” to find other styles or prices
This hybrid search method bridges the gap between visual discovery and keyword-driven intent. As a result, it’s becoming a valuable tool for product comparison, local exploration, and spontaneous shopping – especially on mobile devices.
Why does Multisearch matter now?
Multisearch has been available since 2022, but what’s changed is how users interact with it and how deeply it’s being embedded into the search experience. With AI-powered advancements, Google now understands both visuals and language with far greater accuracy, and it’s responding with much more tailored results.
For businesses, this shift means the traditional, keyword-first approach to SEO is no longer enough. People are searching based on what they see, not just what they type, and this changes the rules of visibility.
As well as that, Multisearch also supports higher intent actions. Someone uploading a photo and typing a follow-up like “where to buy” is already close to conversion. In other words, appearing in these results can not only deliver clicks, but also qualified traffic that’s ready to engage.
What does Multisearch mean for your SEO strategy?
With image-plus-text queries becoming more common, businesses need to think beyond written content and keywords. Google Multisearch demands a more holistic SEO approach – one that combines technical best practices with rich visual content and user experience. Here are some ways you can adapt your efforts for Multisearch.
Optimise your visual content
Images should no longer be an afterthought and therefore need to be optimised for maximum potential. You should ensure they are clear, high-res, and properly named using descriptive filenames. Alt-text should also do more than just incorporate your keywords and state the obvious – they should provide helpful context for both users and search engines.
Implement structured data
Implementing schema markup helps Google understand your content in context, especially when users are searching visually. For example, for ecommerce businesses, adding product schema can significantly improve how your products are shown in search. For local businesses, LocalBusiness schema makes it easier to appear when users add “near me” to their searches.
Focus on local visibility
Multisearch isn’t just about finding things, it’s about finding them nearby. If you have a brick-and-mortor store, you can take advantage of this by keeping your Google Business Profile up to date and making sure you’re using location-specific images and content. You should also encourage your customers to upload their own photos and reviews, as user-generated visuals like these are often used in image-rich search results to help build trust and relevance.
Strengthen your content around intent
As Google Multisearch combines visual interest with verbal intent, it means that the content supporting your images should be helpful and purpose-driven. Rather than stuffing your content with keywords, think about what someone wants to know when they see your product or service. Ask yourself: what are they trying to solve and how can you help them make a decision? Having strong product descriptions, instructional content, and case studies all help your page perform better.
Prioritise mobile UX
Google continues to place emphasis on mobile-first indexing, and Multisearch only amplifies that. If your site loads slowly, isn’t responsive, or creates friction for mobile users, you’ll likely miss out no matter how good your content is. With this in mind, you should make sure your images are compressed without losing quality, your design is thumb-friendly, and your navigation is intuitive.
Which businesses can benefit the most from Multisearch?
While most businesses can take some form of advantage from Google Multisearch, there are some industries that are better placed to capitalise on it.
For example, product-led businesses – especially in fashion, furniture, beauty, food, and lifestyle – will naturally benefit from image-first search. Local service providers like cafes, restaurants, florists, and health and wellness spaces will also benefit the most.
If your business is highly visual and the experience matters as much as the product or service itself, Multisearch is a feature your brand will almost certainly benefit from.
We can help fine-tune your SEO strategy for Google Multisearch
It’s obvious to see that Multisearch is part of a much bigger shift – from traditional, keyword-only tactics to a multi-modal, intent-rich search experience. As Google continues to evolve, businesses that combine great content with meaningful visuals and a user-first experience will see the best results.
If you need help fine-tuning your SEO efforts, or you’d like to learn more about how Google Multisearch fits into your digital strategy, be sure to get in touch with us today. At Fifteen, we help brands adapt their SEO strategies to the way people search today, not the way they did five years ago.
