Starting July 10, 2025, Instagram will allow professional public content to be indexed by search engines like Google. This means your Instagram photos, Reels, and videos can now appear directly in Google Search results, expanding visibility far beyond the app. For marketers and businesses, this opens new doors for brand discovery, SEO performance, and digital visibility.
What Is the New Instagram and Google Indexing Update?
Instagram confirmed that search engines can now index content from eligible professional accounts. Users no longer need to log in to Instagram to view these posts. Once indexed, your visual content can appear in broader search results alongside blogs, product listings, and news articles.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify:
- Account must be professional
- Profile must be public
- User must be 18 or older
- Content must have been posted after January 1, 2020
Who Is Excluded?
- Personal accounts
- Private profiles
- Content posted before 2020
You can opt out of indexing by switching to a personal account, setting your profile to private, or manually disabling indexing under privacy settings.
Why This Update Matters for SEO
Instagram discovery has traditionally been limited to hashtags and explore tabs. With this update, your content can now show up in organic search results for a wider audience. This means Instagram becomes part of your broader SEO strategy and digital footprint.
Indexed Instagram content can help:
- Improve your visibility for branded and service-based queries
- Drive organic traffic from users outside of Instagram
- Support topical authority for content categories or product types
- Reinforce your online presence through cross-platform signals
How to Optimize Instagram Posts for Google Search
To make the most of this update, you should structure your content for search relevance and accessibility.
Use Descriptive, Keyword-Focused Captions
Captions are now more than social conversation. Use them to describe your content using keywords that match what people search.
Instead of:
“Weekend vibes 🏖️”
Try:
“Lightweight beachwear perfect for weekend trips along the Florida coast”
Add ALT Text to Instagram Posts
ALT text is now crucial for both accessibility and SEO. ALT text is descriptive text used by search engine algorithms to understand what an image is about, especially for users who cannot see the image. You can add this during posting or by editing an existing post.
To add ALT text:
- Tap “Advanced Settings” before you post
- Select “Write ALT Text”
- Describe the photo accurately and clearly
Example:
“Man pouring iced coffee into a glass with [insert brand name and location] cafe signage in the background”
Ensure Your Account Settings Are Optimized
- Set your account to professional
- Confirm your profile is public
- Keep your bio descriptive and aligned with your business or brand keywords
Tag Locations and Use Strategic Hashtags
Location tags are indexable and help with local SEO. Hashtags help Instagram’s algorithm organize your content and can support topic clustering, although they do not directly influence Google rankings.
Use Consistent Themes and High-Quality Visuals
Search engines prioritize clarity, consistency, and content quality. Use recurring formats (like tips, tutorials, or before-and-afters) and maintain brand consistency to support AI understanding and search discovery.
Link Back to Your Website
Always make sure your Instagram links direct users to relevant, SEO-optimized landing pages. Use your bio, Story highlights, and Link in Bio tools to route traffic.
This Update Marks a Major Shift in Search Behavior
Google is increasingly indexing content across platforms, blending social media, shopping, and search together. Instagram’s update positions your public social content alongside blogs, YouTube videos, and articles. This means your organic strategy can no longer be siloed.
Investing in search optimization across all channels, including social media, ensures your brand stays visible in the most valuable moments of discovery.
Optimize Your Website and Social Media Together
At Kreative Media, we take a total brand optimization approach. Our SEO and social media teams work together to ensure your brand is visible across every channel, from Google SERPs, to Instagram Reels.
We combine technical SEO, strategic content development, and social media optimization to help businesses own their digital presence.
Let’s optimize your Instagram for search visibility and align your entire brand with how users find and engage with content.
Ready to get started? Contact our SEO and social media team today.
