On July 10, 2025, Instagram rolled out a major update that changes how businesses can be discovered online. Instagram Reels and posts are now indexed by search engines like Google and Bing, providing small businesses with a new opportunity to enhance their search visibility. This is a huge step forward for local SEO, and MILE Social now includes this feature in all Local SEO packages to help our clients take full advantage.
What Does It Mean for Instagram Content to be Indexed by Google?
Instagram now allows Reels and post content from professional accounts (business or creator) to be included in search engine results. This includes:
- Public Reels and static posts
- Your profile name and bio
- Business details such as phone number, location, and website
- Image alt text and photo file names
- Captions optimized with keywords
Even better—this update applies retroactively to content posted after January 1, 2020. That means your past few years of Instagram content could already be eligible to appear in Google searches.
Why This Update Matters for Small Business SEO
Before this change, Instagram content could only be found within the Instagram platform. Now, local customers can find your Instagram content directly through search engines, offering another way to reach people who may not follow your profile.
For example, someone searching for:
- “family dentist in Middletown NJ”
- “boutique hair salon Monmouth County”
- “NJ landscaping before and after photos”
could now see your Instagram Reel or photo post show up in the Google results—if it’s properly optimized.
This update is compelling for small, service-based businesses, and MILE Social is already helping clients align their Instagram strategy with search engine best practices.
How to Get Your Instagram Content Ranked in Google Search
MILE Social takes care of this entire optimization process for our Local SEO clients. Here’s what’s involved:
1. Use a Professional Account
Make sure your Instagram is set to a business or creator profile.
2. Complete Your Profile
Include your business name, location, phone number, and website in the bio.
3. Make the Profile Public
Only public content is eligible to be indexed.
4. Opt Into Indexing
Adjust your Instagram settings to allow your content to be shown in search engines.
5. Optimize Your Content
- Add descriptive alt text to photos
- Name image files before uploading
- Use clear, keyword-rich captions
- Focus on location-based content and industry-related phrases
- Ensure your visuals are high quality and easy to understand
How MILE Social Uses Instagram SEO to Help Local Businesses Grow
At MILE Social, we stay on top of emerging digital trends to help our clients gain visibility. With this new Instagram update, we now help businesses:
- Audit and update their Instagram accounts
- Align content with local keyword strategies
- Optimize every post and Reel for indexing
- Track performance through local SEO reporting
Instagram Reels and posts are no longer just for engagement—they’re now a powerful search engine tool. By partnering with MILE Social, your business can benefit from this change and reach more potential customers right where they’re searching.
Ready to Get Found in Google Search?
If you’re a local business looking to attract more customers through search, MILE Social in Middletown, NJ, is here to help. We include Instagram SEO in our Local SEO packages and tailor every strategy to your specific business goals.
Contact us today to get started with a custom SEO strategy that puts your business at the forefront on Instagram and in Google search results.
