Multimodal search · Google Lens · Circle to Search
A multimodal model processes text, image, audio and video together. For SEO and GEO, this means treating visual content as an indexable asset, with alt text, captions and transcripts, not as mere decoration.
Standalone definition · 33 words
How does multimodal search work?
The user combines several input types: a photo and a question, a screenshot, a voice query. The model interprets the whole to produce an answer. Google Lens and Circle to Search are examples on Google’s side.
What does Search Console’s Multimodal filter measure?
Search Console now offers a Multimodal filter, tied to searches from Lens and Circle to Search. It is not a multimodal GEO audit: the dedicated article explains where to find it and its limits.
How do you optimize visual content?
Original images with clear file names, descriptive alt text, captions close to the image, structured data where it exists, transcripts for video and audio. An image loaded only on the client side may not be seen by a crawler that does not render JavaScript.
Frequently asked questions
Is alt text enough?
It helps describe the image, but the surrounding context matters too: caption, section heading, neighboring text.
Can AI use video?
Mostly through its transcript and metadata. Publish a transcript as text on the page.
Is specific markup needed?
Image or Video structured data helps Google in some cases. No specific requirement is documented for AI features.
Related terms
Further reading
- Search Console Multimodal Filter: What It Measures (Lens, Circle to Search)
- Multimodal Geo Audit with Gemini-Embedding-2
- Search Central Live Deep Dive Barcelona 2026: what Google said over the 3 days
- ← Back to the GEO glossary (114 terms)