Searching the web has traditionally forced users to choose between two distinct mediums: typing descriptive keywords into a text box or submitting a photo through reverse image search. However, many real-world queries cannot be captured by text alone or resolved by a raw photo. To bridge this gap, Google introduced Multisearch—a multimodal search technology powered by computer vision and artificial intelligence that allows users to search using an image and text query simultaneously.
What Is Google Multisearch and Why Is It Revolutionary?
Built directly into Google Lens and the Google Search ecosystem, Multisearch processes visual and verbal intent together. Instead of returning exact image matches, the search engine interprets the conceptual attributes of the photograph and refines the results based on your typed instructions. Common scenarios where Multisearch excels include:
- Fashion and Apparel: Photographing a patterned dress, pair of shoes, or jacket and adding “in blue” or “short sleeve” to find preferred variations.
- Interior Design and Decor: Snapping a picture of an accent armchair and adding “matching dining table” to discover complementary furniture styles.
- DIY Repair and Maintenance: Taking a photo of an unfamiliar mechanical component, plumbing valve, or bicycle derailleur and typing “how to replace” or “assembly manual”.
- Local Food and Retail: Snapping a picture of a distinctive pastry, artisan coffee, or culinary dish and adding “near me” to locate local bakeries or restaurants serving it.
Step-by-Step Guide: Using Multisearch in the Google App
Multisearch is available natively on both Android devices and iPhones through the official Google app and Google Lens.
1. Open Google Lens
- Launch the Google app on your smartphone (or open the standalone Google Lens app).
- Tap the Camera icon located in the right edge of the main Google Search bar.
2. Capture or Select an Image
- Point your camera at the physical object you wish to investigate and tap the Shutter button.
- Alternatively, tap the gallery icon in the bottom-left corner to upload an existing screenshot or saved photo from your device storage.
- Adjust the corner cropping handles to frame the target object tightly and exclude irrelevant background clutter.
3. Add Your Text Refinement Query
- Once initial visual matches appear on the screen, swipe up slightly to view the full card.
- Tap the + Add to your search button positioned at the top of the results drawer.
- Type your clarifying modifier, colour preference, brand, or instructional prompt (for example, “how to care for this plant” or “vintage leather”).
- Tap the Search icon on your virtual keyboard.
- Google recalibrates the visual query, returning search results, retail listings, and instructional articles that combine both inputs.
Using Multisearch with Circle to Search on Modern Android Devices
On supported modern Android devices (such as recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy smartphones), Multisearch is integrated into the Circle to Search gesture:
- While browsing any social app, video, or website, press and hold the Home button or bottom Navigation handle to freeze the screen.
- Circle, tap, or scribble over the item you want to search.
- Immediately tap the Google search bar that appears at the bottom of the interface.
- Type your text refinement (such as “discount code”, “in black”, or “recipe”) alongside the circled image token.
- Tap Enter to view enriched multimodal results without switching apps.
Best Practices for Accurate Multisearch Results
To ensure Google’s multimodal algorithms interpret your visual and text prompts with high precision:
- Ensure Adequate Lighting: Ensure your subject is well-lit and in sharp focus; blurry or low-light images hinder computer vision recognition.
- Crop Extraneous Elements: If multiple objects occupy the frame, adjust the Lens selection box so only the relevant item is highlighted.
- Keep Text Modifiers Concise: Use direct attribute modifiers like “in sage green”, “how to install”, or “cotton blend” rather than long, conversational sentences.