How to Optimize for MultiModal Search & Make Your Business More Discoverable
Why Some Local Businesses Get Found Everywhere— And Others Stay Invisible
Some local businesses seem to show up everywhere—in Google searches, on voice assistants, in image results, even in TikTok videos. Others? Practically invisible.
The difference isn’t luck. It’s a strategy.
Most businesses are still stuck in a traditional SEO mindset, optimizing only for text-based searches. But today’s consumers search in multiple ways—using voice assistants, snapping photos for image search, watching videos, and getting AI-powered recommendations from Google’s latest search updates.
If your business isn’t optimized for all these search methods, you’re losing out on a growing number of potential customers.
The good news?
Most of your competitors haven’t caught on yet. That gives you an edge—if you take action now. Here’s how to ensure your business is discoverable across every search type people use today.
Step 1: Make Your Website MultiModal-Friendly
A website is still your digital storefront, but it needs to be more than just SEO-friendly—it must be optimized for voice search, AI-driven search, and image-based discovery.
One major shift is how people interact with search engines. Instead of typing “best chiropractor near me,” voice search users might ask:
“Who’s the best chiropractor in [city] that accepts walk-ins?”
To rank for these types of searches, your website should be written in a natural, conversational tone. Adding a well-structured FAQ page with full-sentence answers helps voice assistants and AI pull your content into search results.
Another crucial factor is AI-readability. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and other AI-powered search tools now generate summaries instead of just displaying a list of links. If your content isn’t structured properly, it won’t get featured. To optimize for this shift, use clear headings, concise answers, and well-organized sections.
Step 2: Strengthen Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
For local businesses, Google Business Profile (GBP) is a game-changer. It doesn’t just help with Google rankings—it’s also used for voice search results, AI-driven answers, and image-based search queries.
A complete, well-optimized GBP listing is far more likely to show up when someone asks Google Assistant for recommendations or when AI-generated search summaries highlight local businesses.
To maximize visibility, make sure your profile is fully completed and regularly updated. Adding high-quality images and short videos makes your listing more engaging while also helping your business appear in image-based search results.
Another key factor? Customer reviews. Google’s AI actively scans both the text and images within reviews to better understand what a business offers. A well-reviewed business that frequently updates its GBP is far more likely to show up across multiple search types.
Step 3: Optimize for Image & Visual Search
More people are using Google Lens and Pinterest Lens to search for businesses visually. Instead of typing a query, they simply snap a picture of a product, menu, or storefront and let Google find similar businesses nearby.
To take advantage of this shift, start by optimizing the images on your website and GBP. Every image should have descriptive alt text, an SEO-friendly filename, and geotagging so that search engines can understand and categorize it properly.
For businesses with physical locations, storefront images and customer-submitted photos matter. A well-optimized photo can help your business appear in search results even if the person searching doesn’t know your name.
Step 4: Leverage Video Search to Reach More Customers
YouTube and TikTok are quickly becoming primary search engines, especially among younger audiences. Many users now go straight to video platforms to research businesses instead of searching on Google.
A restaurant, for example, might be discovered not through Google but through a TikTok review showcasing the atmosphere and best dishes. Similarly, a home service business might rank well on YouTube search results simply by posting a short, engaging video about their services.
To get found on video-based search platforms, create short, engaging clips that showcase what makes your business unique. Keep descriptions detailed and keyword-rich so search engines can categorize them correctly.
Even a simple “Meet Our Team” or “Behind the Scenes” video can significantly boost your visibility in video search results.
Step 5: Prepare for AI-Powered Search Results
Google’s AI-powered search tools are reshaping how businesses get found. Instead of just ranking pages, Google now generates direct answers using AI—and it pulls those answers from structured content, GBP listings, and business directories.
To ensure your business gets featured in AI-driven search results, it’s important to:
- Write direct answers to common questions on your website.
- Organize content using clear headings and structured formatting.
- Ensure your GBP is up-to-date and detailed since AI pulls data from it.
- Claim and optimize listings on reputable business directories that Google references.
As AI continues to evolve, businesses that optimize for AI-driven search now will have a major competitive edge.
Final Thoughts: MultiModal Search Isn’t the Future—It’s Already Here
The businesses that get the most visibility today aren’t just ranking on Google’s text-based results—they’re appearing in voice search, image search, video search, and AI-powered recommendations.
By taking action now, your business will be in the best position to:
✔ Be featured when customers use voice search with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
✔ Show up in Google Lens and Pinterest Lens searches.
✔ Rank in TikTok and YouTube search results for local businesses.
✔ Appear in AI-generated search summaries before your competitors do.
Many businesses are still ignoring these opportunities. That gives you the chance to get ahead while most of your competition lags behind.
The question is—will your business be one of the ones customers actually find?
