Google Introduces Multimodal Search Data in Search Console Update

Google has introduced a new feature in its Search Console, dubbed multimodal search data, on September 24, 2026. This update aims to provide website owners with a more comprehensive understanding of how their pages are discovered through image-based searches. DigitalGuider, a US-based digital marketing agency, has weighed in on the implications of this new tool.

According to DigitalGuider, the new feature separates traditional text-based search traffic from searches that rely on images. This change allows businesses to examine how their pages are discovered through visual tools, which are becoming increasingly integrated into Google Search. The feature covers searches involving Google Lens, Circle to Search on Android, image uploads to Google Search, and Chrome's right-click "Search this image" feature. The rollout is global, meaning it is available to all Search Console properties.

One key difference is that the new data does not include specific search queries. Google explains that multimodal searches primarily rely on images rather than text, making traditional query information unavailable. Instead, businesses can review the pages receiving this traffic and compare performance across available dimensions such as country and device. For ecommerce businesses and websites that rely heavily on product or visual content, the additional reporting can provide useful page-level insights. A product or service page receiving clicks from image-based searches shows that users are reaching that page through a search involving an image, although the specific image used by the searcher is not revealed.

SEO services can help businesses improve the elements that make web pages clear, relevant, and accessible to search engines. As image-led discovery becomes easier for users, businesses can review their visual assets, page content, image descriptions, and overall website structure to ensure each page provides useful context. DigitalGuider recommends that businesses review the new reporting option when it becomes available in their Search Console properties.

To help businesses make practical use of the new data, DigitalGuider suggests several steps: 1. Review the web search section in the Search Console Performance report for the new multimodal option. 2. Identify pages that receive traffic from searches involving images. 3. Review product images, image descriptions, page content, and other on-page elements for clarity and relevance. 4. Compare image-based traffic with traditional web search performance across available countries and devices. 5. Export Search Console data for additional analysis and reporting.

DigitalGuider notes that the new data should be viewed as one part of a broader SEO analysis. Google Search Console can show which pages receive this type of traffic, but businesses still need to examine their content, website structure, audience behavior, and conversion goals to understand the wider impact.

In conclusion, DigitalGuider's analysis of Google's latest Search Console update highlights another shift toward visual and multimodal search experiences. The new reporting gives website owners greater visibility into image-assisted discovery while also introducing a limitation: specific query information is not available for this traffic. DigitalGuider recommends that businesses monitor the new data and incorporate relevant findings into their digital marketing strategy as search continues to evolve.