Instagram Posts Now Indexed by Google: How to Optimise Your Content for Search

If you're running a professional Instagram account (business or creator, age 18+), your Reels, carousels, videos and posts from as far back as January 2020 can now be indexed by Google and Bing. That means your Instagram feed isn't just a social media tool anymore, it's a core part of your search strategy.

For businesses investing in content, this change extends the shelf life of your posts. Instead of fading into the feed, your Instagram content can now surface when people search on Google-reaching users beyond the app.

It also means Instagram has joined the ranks of SEO assets. Like blogs or YouTube videos, well-optimised Instagram content will appear in organic search results. That's a big deal.

• Reels
• Image and video posts
• Carousels

Stories, Highlights, and content from private accounts remain hidden from search. But if you're running a public business or creator account, you're in.

To make the most of this update, check the basics:

• Make sure your account is set to public and is marked as a business or creator account
• If you don't want your content indexed, you can opt out via Instagram settings: Settings → Privacy → "Allow public photos and videos to appear in search engines"
  

But if visibility is part of your strategy (and it should be), here's how to start optimising:

• Captions: Use them as you would blog headlines-clear, keyword-rich, and engaging
• Alt text: Write descriptive alt text for accessibility and indexing benefit
• Hashtags: Use thoughtfully-these now double as keywords for search
• Geo-tags: Help your local posts appear in relevant local searches

You can check your visibility by Googling site:instagram.com/yourhandle to see what's been indexed so far.

We talk a lot about intelligent digital experiences, and this is a textbook case. Search and Instagram are no longer separate worlds. This update integrates visual-first, short-form content into your SEO ecosystem.

Think about it:

• You're investing time and money into social content
• Now it can work harder by appearing in organic search
• And its impact is measurable over the long term

That's accelerating measurable impact in action.

If your Instagram account is public, professional, and active since 2020, your posts can now appear in Google Search. That's not just visibility, it's search discoverability. Done right, it means your content doesn't just perform on-platform. It performs across the web.