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Search Console Can Now Show You Visual Search Traffic

The Short Answer

Google Search Console added a new filter in its Performance report that isolates traffic coming from visual search, meaning Google Lens, Circle to Search, image uploads, and Chromeu2019s search-this-image feature.

Why This Happens

Visual search has been growing quietly for a while, but until now there was no clean way to see how much of your traffic was coming through it. This filter gives site owners visibility into a traffic source that used to be invisible, lumped in with regular search.

The Mistake Worth Avoiding

Do not assume image SEO does not matter just because you have never thought about it before. If a meaningful share of your traffic is coming through visual search once you check this filter, poorly labeled or low-quality photos are costing you more than you realized.

What Actually Works

Worth doing this week:
  • Check the new filter in your Search Console Performance report to see how much visual search traffic you are actually getting.
  • If it is meaningful, make sure your website and Business Profile photos are high quality and clearly show what they are.
  • Use descriptive file names and alt text on your website images, since those are exactly what helps visual search match a photo to your business.

The Takeaway

This is a genuinely useful new way to see a traffic source that used to be invisible. Even a quick look is worth the five minutes, especially if your business relies on photos of real work.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

In Search Console, open the Performance report and look for the new search-type filter option covering visual or image-based search.
Not necessarily. Start by checking whether you are getting meaningful visual search traffic, then focus on quality and labeling for the photos that matter most.

Related: How to Add Photos to Google Business Profile  |  What Is Local SEO and How Does It Work?

Source: Search Engine Roundtable — October 2026 Webmaster Report

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