Google just released its year-end wrap-up based on 5 trillion searches: “What the Breakout Search Trends of 2025 Mean for Your Marketing Strategy in 2026.”
There’s also a solid recap video worth watching.
Based on this data, there are three very clear actions restaurants should be taking with their marketing right now. m
Three Marketing Takeaways for Restaurants (Straight from the Data)
1. Optimize for “Vibe” and Occasion
Conversational Search
Search is becoming more open-ended and conversational. People aren’t just searching “Italian restaurant” anymore. They’re searching things like:
“Romantic dinner spots with live jazz”
“Quiet place for a business lunch”
“Late-night food near me”
Action: Update your website, menu descriptions, and Google Business Profile to describe the experience, not just the food. Use language that clearly answers intent-based questions like:
Cozy date night
Business-friendly lunch spot
Late-night bites
This is how you show up for conversational search
2. Make Your Menu Visually Searchable
Visual Search
Google Lens is now handling 25 billion searches per month. The report puts it simply:
“If they can see it, they should be able to buy it.”
Action: Every major dish on your menu should have a high-quality photo uploaded to your Google Business Profile.
When someone sees a dish on social media, in real life, or on a friend’s phone, they may use Lens to find it nearby. Your restaurant should be the answer.
3. Partner with Local Food Creators
Fan Culture
People increasingly trust creators to break down experiences more than they trust brand messaging. The data shows that creator-led storytelling drives stronger engagement than traditional promotion.
Action: Instead of only running ads, invite local food creators to:
Film a tasting menu
Show behind-the-scenes kitchen moments
Share their real experience with your food
Let them tell the story to their local audience. That authenticity matters more than polished ads right now.
Now Here’s the Fun Part - I didn’t write those three takeaways!
I didn’t give Gemini any context — not who I am, why I asked, or what my intention was. Literally nothing. And it still clearly understood the assignment.
What it didn’t include was the how.
That’s where I come in.
How to Actually Do What Gemini Is Telling You to Do
(It’s easier than you think.)
1. How to Optimize for Conversational Search
Manage your listings with a tool like Marqii
Manage your listings with a tool like Marqii
Follow this Google Business Profile optimization playbook
3. How to Partner With Local Food Creators
Easy!
PS The images in this post were also created by Gemini. Nano Banana is AWESOME!
Need more restaurant marketing tips, tricks, and tactics? Email me: [email protected]
— Rev Ciancio
What Does Rev Do?
I help restaurants build guest marketing programs.
I help hospitality tech companies with lead generation and content marketing.
