One of the main selling points of ceramic brake pads is clean wheels - far less of the dark dust that coats the front rims on many cars. It is largely true, but ceramic is not magically dust-free. Here is what low-dust really means.
Why ceramic looks cleaner
All pads shed material as they wear - that is brake dust. Ceramic compounds produce dust that is lighter in color and finer, and it clings to the wheel far less than the dark, iron-rich dust from semi-metallic pads. So ceramic wheels look dramatically cleaner even though some dust is still made - see do ceramic pads stop better.
Semi-metallic is the dusty one
The heavy black dust people complain about mostly comes from semi-metallic pads, which contain steel fibers - see semi-metallic pros and cons. That dust is dark and sticks. Many European and performance cars fit these from the factory, which is why their wheels dust so heavily - see brake dust on a new car.
Not zero dust
Ceramic pads still wear and still create dust - it is just less visible. If you inspect closely you will find a light gray film. Claims of totally dust-free pads are marketing; physics says a wearing pad makes particles. The honest promise is far cleaner wheels, not spotless ones.
Choosing for clean wheels
If clean wheels matter to you and you drive normally, a quality ceramic pad is the clear choice - cleaner, quieter, and long-lasting. Just do not expect a towing or track setup to stay clean; those need grippier compounds. Pick the right brake pads for your priorities and fit them with fresh hardware.