Instagram’s New Update Means Your Content Could Show Up on Google — Here’s How to Optimize Your Content for SEO Ranking

Important update in the world of social media and search ranking: As of July 10th, Instagram will

now allow your public and professional account content to appear in Google search results, by default.

That means your Reels, photos, and videos are no longer limited to in-app visibility. Instead, they can rank in search engine results when someone looks up relevant topics — even if that person isn’t logged into Instagram at all!

Sounds like a win, right? For many brands and creators, yes! This is a major opportunity to increase discoverability, boost traffic, and meet new audiences beyond the ‘gram. 📲✨👀

It also signals something bigger: Social media and traditional search engines are no longer separate.

That’s why now, more than ever, your content needs to be optimized not just for social platforms, but for search engines too. Let’s break down what this means and how you can strategically take advantage!

Why This Update Matters (and What It Means for You)

When Instagram content appears on search engines such as Google, it can help:

🎯 Increase visibility beyond your current audience

🎯 Bring in organic traffic without needing an ad budget

🎯 Provide another touchpoint for prospects doing research

However, it also raises important questions, especially for businesses that work with influencers, promote sensitive content, or simply want tighter control over visibility. If you’d rather keep your content from being searchable, here’s how to opt out:

How to Turn Off Instagram’s Search Engine Visibility:

1️⃣ Go to your Instagram profile

2️⃣ Tap the three-line menu to view Settings

3️⃣ Scroll down to the Privacy/Who Can See Your Content section

4️⃣ Select Account Privacy

5️⃣ Turn off “Allow public photos and videos to appear in search engine results”

We’re choosing to leave the feature on at Goaldy, and if you're focused on growth, we recommend you do too. We want to emphasize that this new update alone doesn’t guarantee results. That’s where strategy comes in.

Social SEO Tips

With this update, SEO should be an integral part of your social media strategy.

AI systems and search engines will scan Instagram content the same way they would for a blog or webpage. That means things like alt text and keywords in captions will play a massive role in where and how your content shows up in search.

Ready to ensure your Instagram content is search-ready? 

1. Use SEO-Friendly Captions

Think like your audience — what would they be typing into Google?

Here’s how to strategically add keywords to your captions:

• Use natural language. Don’t stuff keywords into your content in an attempt to improve your ranking, as it will only hurt your cause.

• Use optimal level keyword density so your website ranks at the top of the search results. The optimal keyword density for SEO typically falls between 1% and 2%, meaning you should aim to use your target keywords once or twice for every 100 words of content.

• Include relevant location tags where applicable.

• Answer common questions your audience might search for.

• Create unique keywords that accurately summarize the contents of the page.

• Target high-value, low-competition keywords, as the majority of search activity is spread across long-tail keywords. (According to Ahrefs data, 94.74% of keywords have monthly search

  volumes of 10 or less!)

• Use clear keywords to increase your chance of ranking. Posts with searchable phrases like “how to,” “benefits of,” and “best [product/service] for…” are more likely to appear in both in-app search and Google.

  
  

Example 💡:

• Instead of: “Obsessed with this new arrival!”

• Try: “Our new all-weather hiking boots are made for Canadian trails — durable, waterproof, and ready for adventure!”

2. Write Better Alt Text for Photos and Reels

Alt text isn’t only for accessibility; it supports your SEO efforts! It tells search engines (and screen readers) what your image or video is about.

Best practices for writing alt text:

• Keep it simple and descriptive. Focus less on packing in keywords with no discernible purpose, and focus more on describing the image itself.

• Put the most important information first. If your graphic or image is predominantly text-based, it’s suggested that’s what you write out first.

• Include subtitles and closed captions with keywords of Reels

Tip 💡: Your goal is to describe the visual clearly and honestly.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s new update is a major shift in how your content gets discovered. The good news? A few small tweaks can make a huge difference in how you show up online.

• Social media and SEO are now intertwined: If your goal is increased visibility, optimizing content for both is essential.

• Crafting optimized captions matters more than ever: Use clear, searchable phrases, and think like your audience.

• Alt text isn’t just for accessibility: It helps your images and videos get indexed by search engines too.

• Long-tail keywords are powerful: They may have lower search volume, but they’re easier to rank for and capture high-intent users.

• Location and context help SEO: Include location tags and relevant terms to boost local discovery.

• Video optimization matters: Closed captions and clear titles on Reels can improve your visibility in search.

• Turning the feature off is an option: If privacy is a concern, you can always opt out of this feature.

Want to expand your brand’s reach? Goaldy is here to help turn these tips into actionable strategies for your business. We offer full social media management, consulting, and content creation services that ensure your brand stands out against the competition every. single. time.