Have you seen that message on Instagram saying your public posts might start showing up on Google?
If so, you’re not alone and like many others, you may have wondered if this is a huge change. Is Instagram suddenly allowing Google to crawl everything? Is this the latest update in content discoverability? Is this… trending news?
Well, yes and no.
So, What’s Actually Happening?
Recently, Instagram began sending out notifications to some users letting them know that Google will start indexing their public posts meaning, your IG pics and videos could pop up in a Google search.
Sounds big, right?
Here’s the thing: it’s not really new.
Most public Instagram posts have been indexable by Google since around 2020, as long as the account meets a few conditions (like being over 18). You can test this yourself: do a quick Google search for any celebrity or brand’s IG content, and you’ll likely see it pop up in the search results.
So why is everyone talking about it now?
Because Instagram is now expanding this indexing feature to more regions.
What’s New, Then?
Up until now, this feature wasn’t rolled out everywhere. Some regions were left out of the indexing loop. But now, Instagram is gradually making it available globally. So, if you’re just seeing that notification, your region might be part of this new wave.
But again, if you’ve been in a region where this was already active, you won’t notice any real change.
Why It Matters for Marketers and Creators
Even though this update isn’t brand-new for most people, it still matters, especially for businesses, creators, and marketers. Here’s why:
- More Visibility: Your public IG content now has a better chance of being found via Google search, not just on the app.
- SEO + Social Media: This kind of integration blurs the line between SEO and social media marketing, giving you more tools to be discovered.
- Helpful for billboard advertisements and promotions: If your IG post is tied to a trending ad campaign (like a digital billboard), it’s now more likely to show up in a Google search tied to your brand name or topic.
So yes, it’s part of the trending conversation now for a reason but it’s not the revolution some people assumed.
What’s Instagram Saying?
According to Instagram’s Help Center:
“We allow search engines to index photos and videos from public reels and posts that were uploaded from January 1, 2020 onwards from accounts that meet certain criteria.”
That means no indexing for private content, stories, or anything from underage accounts. Only public posts and reels are fair game and only if your account allows it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a business, influencer, or content creator, this is still good news.
But let’s not call it brand-new. Let’s call it what it really is: an ongoing rollout of something that’s already been happening for a while.
Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on how your posts appear in search, especially if Instagram sends you that notification. That means your content is joining the larger pool of discoverable posts indexed by Google.
Over to You
Have you seen this notification yet?
Do you think Google indexing Instagram posts will help your content reach more people?
Let us know in the comments or tag us in your next public post Adchronicle.net
