Instagram Posts Will Now Show Up on Google

If you are a small business owner, you know how much time it takes to create content for Instagram. From brainstorming ideas, filming videos, writing, and finally posting, it is a full time job. And often, those posts only get attention for a day or two before they are buried in the feed.

Starting July 10, 2025, Instagram announced that public posts from professional accounts (Business and Creator profiles) will be indexed by Google and other search engines. That means your Instagram photos and Reels can now appear in Google search results.

So why does this matter to you as a business owner? Imagine someone searches your business name on Google. Alongside your website and reviews, they may now also see your Instagram content, whether that is videos, Reels, or photos. Those posts give people a feel for your business, what it looks like, what the vibe is, and even the kind of customers who already go there. All of that can play a huge role in whether someone decides your business is the right fit for them.

This update also extends the life of your content. Instead of disappearing after a short burst of likes and comments, your posts can continue showing up in search results weeks or even months later. That makes the time and effort you put into creating strong social content go further and deliver a better return.

But the real difference comes when you think about how people search on Google compared to how they scroll on Instagram. On Instagram, people are usually discovering new content by chance. On Google, people are often searching with intent. They may be ready to book a table, order a product, or make a purchase. That means if your Instagram content shows up in search results, you are meeting people at the exact moment they are making a decision. It is the difference between someone stumbling across your post while killing time on their phone and someone actively searching “best brunch in Santa Monica” because they are hungry right now.

There is also another important reason to think about the content you are posting, the captions you are writing, and the alt text you are using. With this update, those words now matter for search engines too. For example, if someone types “Best Burger Los Angeles” or “Best Burger Venice” into Google, and you have been consistently creating content and captions around those keywords, your posts may show up. This means your Instagram is not just a place to engage your followers but also a way to attract completely new customers who are actively searching for what you offer.

The takeaway is simple: every post you create now has the potential to be discovered outside of Instagram. By sharing meaningful content with strong messaging, you are not just reaching your followers—you are giving potential new customers a way to get to know your business before they ever walk through the door, right at the moment they are ready to make a decision.