Instagram Posts Can Now Show Up On Google: What Creators Need To Know

content creation instagram Jul 10, 2025

As of July 10, 2025, Instagram officially broke out of its walled garden. Now, your public Instagram posts can show up in Google search results. Yes, really.

This is huge. For creators, small businesses, influencers, and basically anyone trying to grow online, this update unlocks a brand new way to get discovered.

Just like TikToks and YouTube videos have been indexed by Google for years, Instagram is finally getting the SEO treatment, and if you’re not optimizing your content for search, you’re missing out on free reach, growth, and even brand deals.

Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and exactly how to update your strategy so your posts can start ranking on Google.

What Is The New Instagram Google Search Update?

As of July 10, Instagram announced that all public posts from professional accounts can now be indexed by Google and other search engines. This means your Reels, carousels, and even static posts are now eligible to show up in search results.

You don’t need to do anything to turn this feature on, it’s enabled by default. And you should keep it that way. Why? Because this update is the best thing to happen to Instagram in years.

Your content no longer has a 48-hour lifespan in the feed. It now has the potential to become evergreen, ranking in search for months or even years after you post it.

Why This Changes Everything For Creators

The line between social media and traditional search is already blurring. Gen Z uses TikTok and Instagram like search engines. A recent study even found that 41% of Gen Z now prefers searching on social media over Google.

Instagram’s update is just the next evolution of “social search.” But this time, instead of users finding you on the app, they can find you directly from Google—even if they don’t follow you or know who you are yet.

And for creators like us, that means more:

Free traffic
Higher engagement
Better brand visibility
More leverage when pitching deals
Long-term discoverability without having to constantly post

Now let’s talk about how to actually make your posts rank.

How To Optimize Your Instagram Posts For Google Search

Treat Captions Like Blog Titles

The first two lines of your caption are prime real estate. They work like a headline that Google will index, so you need to lead with clarity and intent. Think less “just a little fit check” and more “Curvy fall outfit ideas for New England foliage season.”

Make it searchable. Make it specific.

Use Keywords Naturally In Your Captions

This is the biggest shift: you need to start thinking about what someone would type into Google to find your post—and then say that, naturally, in your caption.

Bad: Sunrise views on Highway 1
Better: Sunrise at Bixby Bridge in Big Sur during our California Highway 1 road trip

This isn’t about keyword stuffing (don’t dump a list at the bottom of your caption). It’s about writing longer, more descriptive captions that weave in relevant keywords in your own voice.

Bonus tip: Use an AI tool like ChatGPT to help you identify natural keywords that describe your content.

Add Alt Text To Every Post

Alt text isn’t just for accessibility, it also helps search engines understand what your image or video is about.

Think of it like this: if someone couldn’t see your photo, how would you describe it to them?

Example: Woman kayaking on a blue lake surrounded by fall foliage in Vermont

You can even ask AI to generate alt text if you're not sure where to start. This simple step can give your content an edge in search.

Use Smarter Hashtags (No More Walls of Text)

Hashtags still matter, but now you need to be more strategic.

Instead of broad tags like #curvy or #travel, try narrower, SEO-friendly ones like #size14style or #northerncaliforniaroadtrip.

Best practice? Stick to 3–5 highly relevant hashtags. Avoid giant blocks of random tags that dilute your content's purpose.

Update Your Instagram Bio Like It’s A Homepage

Your Instagram bio is now searchable. Think of it like a mini version of your website homepage. It should clearly communicate who you are, where you’re based, and what kind of content you post.

Good examples:

NYC-based beauty creator
Wellness coach for busy moms
San Francisco travel influencer

And while you’re at it, refresh your pinned posts. Google uses those to figure out what kind of authority you have. Showcase your most helpful, high-performing content, not just a random viral moment.

Create Value-First, Evergreen Content

If you want your content to rank, shift away from fleeting trends and focus on posts that teach, inspire, or solve a problem.

Examples of value-first posts:

How to style wide-leg jeans for fall
My exact Lightroom presets for autumn photos
What to pack for a New England road trip in October
3 ways to layer as a size 14 creator

These types of posts are timeless and tend to do well in search over time.

Double Check That You’re Set Up For Indexing

To make sure your content is eligible to appear in Google results:

Your account must be set to “Professional”
Your profile must be public
You must be opted into the indexing feature (which is default)

And if you have older posts you’re proud of? Go back and optimize the caption. Small changes like adding a keyword or improving the alt text can help your post perform better in search.

Final Thoughts: This Is Instagram’s SEO Era

Instagram is no longer just about engagement inside the app. It’s now a discoverability engine with the potential to bring in organic search traffic for months, not hours.

If you’re not treating your Instagram like a portfolio, a blog, or a content hub with SEO in mind, you’re already behind.

But the good news? With just a few intentional tweaks, you can start showing up in search results and expanding your reach without changing your entire content strategy.

Think of every post like a mini landing page. Make it clear, valuable, and searchable. Google will take care of the rest.