Have you heard of Google Multisearch? Google’s latest innovative search feature lets you search by image and add text to that specific image search. Today’s blog looks at what this is and how it will change how we search. Google says that this new tool allows searchers “go beyond the search box and ask questions about what you see.”

Google Multisearch, powered by Google Lens (as an added function and available in U.S English in Beta), uses your phone’s camera to search by an image and then add a text query on top of the image search to help refine it further. Google then uses both the image and the text query to show you visual search results. A different way of searching for things; why wasn’t it thought of before?

Google designed this tool for searches that aren’t straightforward as a singular image or textual phrase, meaning if there’s something in front of you but you don’t know how to describe what you’re looking at (or for), this is where Multisearch comes into play. It’s asking Google questions about what you see, and Google’s advancement in A.i makes this possible and easier to understand the world naturally and intuitively.

How does it work? You will need the latest update for the Google app:

Once you’ve opened the Google app and the Lens camera icon, you need to upload an image, swipe up, tap on the “+ Add to your search” button and add your text query. You are then given visual results. You can then refine the search by colour, brand, or another visual attribute.

Google provides the following examples of instances where Multisearch is used and recommends using it for shopping searches:

• Screenshot of a stylish orange dress and add the query “green” to find it in another colour
• Photo of your dining set with the query “coffee table” to find a matching table
• Take a picture of your plant and query “care instructions.”

Google’s MUM isn’t used in Multisearch yet, and they are exploring ways in which MUM might enhance this feature to improve results. 

Why is considering Google’s Multisearch necessary? As Google releases new ways for consumers to search, your customers may access your content on your website in new ways. So, considering how you’re customers/users already access your website, whether that is desktop, mobile, voice or image search, and now Multisearch, this will significantly impact how likely they are to convert and where the user is within their buyer lifecycle.

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