Instagram posts are coming to Google Search: What you need to know
From 10th July 2025, a major shift is coming to Instagram and it could have a big impact on your business.
Instagram posts from professional accounts will now start appearing in Google search results.
For small business owners and in-house marketing teams, this means Instagram is no longer just a place to post pretty pictures. It’s now part of your SEO strategy too.
What’s changing?
Instagram has officially announced that public posts from professional accounts will soon be indexed by Google. This means your Instagram photos, videos and captions could now show up when people search on Google.
To qualify, you need to:
Have a professional Instagram account (business or creator)
Make sure your posts are set to public
Have search indexing switched on (this is turned on by default, but you can check in your settings)
Why it matters
More and more people (especially under 35) are using social platforms like Instagram and TikTok to search for products, ideas and inspiration. This change means your Instagram posts might now reach people even when they’re not using Instagram.
How to make the most of it
Here are six simple ways to get your Instagram content working harder for your business:
1 - Use clear, keyword-rich captions
Think about what your ideal customer would type into Google
Use natural language with relevant search terms
2 - Add location tags
Especially helpful for local businesses like cafes, salons, shops or venues
3. Include alt text and video captions
This helps Instagram (and Google) understand what your content is about
4. Be consistent
Regular, well-written posts help build trust with the algorithm
5. Keep content public
Only public posts from professional accounts will show up in search
6. Stay helpful
Answer common questions, solve problems, share tips. Content with purpose is more likely to get found
Final Thought
If you’re putting time into Instagram already, this update makes it even more worthwhile. Social SEO isn’t just a trend, it’s fast becoming a must-have part of your digital marketing toolkit.
Need help making sense of your strategy? We’d love to support you.
