You know "Shazam"? The app where you play a song, and it tells you the name?
Google Lens is Shazam for everything else.
Point your camera at a flower, it tells you the species. Point it at a pair of shoes, it tells you where to buy them. Point it at a menu, it shows you reviews of the dishes.
This is Visual Search. And it is the biggest shift in search behavior since voice.
In 2026, if your images are just decorative, you are invisible to the millions of people searching with their cameras. Here is how to make your images "smart."
The Robot Can't See (Yet)
Even with AI, Google is still partly blind. It needs you to label your images.
If you upload a photo of your product named `IMG_9934.jpg`, Google has no idea what it is. You just missed a sale.
If you name it `mens-leather-hiking-boots-brown.jpg`, Google knows exactly what it is. When someone scans similar boots, yours pop up.
Rule #1: Descriptive Filenames
This is the easiest win.
The File Name Fix
Bad: "screen_shot_final_2.png"
Good: "modern-velvet-sofa-blue-living-room.jpg"
Rename your images before you upload them. Use hyphens, not spaces.
Rule #2: Alt Text is Mandatory
Alt text (Alternative Text) was originally designed for screen readers for the visually impaired. Now, it is also how Google understands the context of an image.
Don't keyword stuff. Describe the image like you are talking to someone on the phone.
"A woman sitting on a blue velvet sofa holding a cup of coffee in a modern living room."
Pinterest: The Visual Search Engine
Pinterest isn't social media; it's a search engine. People go there to plan purchases.
To rank on Pinterest (and Google Images), your images need Context.
📸 Image Quality Matters
Visual search relies on pattern recognition. If your image is blurry, dark, or cluttered, Google Lens can't identify the product. Use clean, well-lit photos with the subject clearly in focus.
Conclusion: The World is Scan-able
The keyboard is becoming optional. The camera is becoming the primary input device for discovery.
Audit your image library. Rename your files. Write better alt text. Make your physical products discoverable in the digital world.
Are Your Images Invisible?
We can run an "Image SEO Audit." We'll check your filenames, alt tags, and schema to ensure your products are ready for the visual search revolution.
Check My Images