Visual Search Data Arrives
The biggest practical change today is Google adding multimodal search reporting in Search Console. In plain English, site owners can now see when people found them through image-based searches, including Google Lens, Circle to Search, image uploads, and Chrome's “Search this image”. Google says this is rolling out globally and appears in both Search results performance and generative AI reporting when a site receives this traffic.
Search Engine Roundtable spotted the filter before Google’s official post and noted one important catch: query data is limited or unavailable for these visual searches, because many of them start with an image instead of typed words. That means this is useful directional data, not a perfect keyword report.
Rankings Cool, But Not Clear Skies
Search volatility is cooling down after the Sept. 17-20 bump, with today’s partial score at 4.8/10. That is normal weather, not panic weather. Still, Search Engine Roundtable reported fresh chatter around Sept. 23-24, with some site owners seeing Discover and organic swings. Treat it as patchy wind, not a confirmed storm.
AI Search Measurement Is Getting Messy
The last 24-48 hours continue the same theme: Google is giving more AI and visual visibility data, but interpretation is harder. Search Engine Land reported Sept. 23 that a 1,100-person experiment found AI Mode reduced outside website clicks by 18.8 percentage points. Search Engine Journal also warned that Search Console can make weak AI Overview visibility look stronger than it really is because Google reports some AI placements as a block, not as individual link positions.
Bottom Line
- Check Search Console for the new Multimodal filter.
- If images matter to your business, tighten alt text, product photos, local photos, and visual page context.
- Do not celebrate AI visibility unless it leads to visits, leads, sales, or calls.
