Google has begun indexing Instagram posts, meaning that photographs from punters on the social media app will begin appearing on the search engine.
This update is fantastic for anyone building a business, since it is increasing your search engine visibility and discoverability, even if you don't have a blog or website.
Your Instagram content can be viewed by more prospective clients, and your website and Instagram profile may see a spike in organic traffic as a result.
Consider your Instagram posts as micro-landing pages and include them in your SEO (search engine optimisation) plan. You have a great chance to expand your reach and visibility if you take advantage of this and are strategic.
If this sounds a little technical to you, don’t worry, we have a guide on how to optimise your Instagram posts to increase the likelihood of getting them indexed by Google.
How to optimise your Instagram posts
The first thing you should tick off the list is verifying that your Instagram account is public, professional, and that you have chosen to receive updates.
Your next step involves finding out what your ideal client is looking for on Google and identifying any keywords and terminology they use. These can then be utilised in the caption of any pictures and videos.
Don’t forget to include alt text in your photos.
You can add personalised alt text to Instagram to make it more accessible. This facilitates indexing as well. Write a description of the image that encapsulates your brand; avoid overusing keywords, but also avoid leaving it empty.
In terms of the content you produce, Google loves original, educational posts, including tutorials, guides, and how-tos.
Consider your link-in-bio and Instagram bio link to be valuable assets. Make it simple for those who find your content through search to proceed.
This upgrade serves as a reminder that Instagram is now a conduit for discovery as well as interaction.
This is a warning to companies that disregard social media content. Your grid becomes a part of your digital footprint if Google can find it. Therefore, each post ought to have a purpose.
For searchers, buyers, and decision-makers as well as for followers. SEO is no longer limited to landing pages and blogs.
What this means for everyone else
You can disable Instagram's indexing of your posts in settings if you don't want it to happen.
It's crucial to keep in mind that your Instagram posts will now be more widely shared and seen if you allow for Google’s indexing.
When publishing, think about whether you would be pleased to have the article show up in Google search results.
Auditing your previous posts and determining whether you accept them appearing in search results will also be beneficial.
Opting in offers you greater exposure with little drawback, unless your business has particular privacy or exclusivity concerns. Keep in mind that only public content is can be indexed.
Keep your content private if your strategy relies on gated communities or restricted access, but for the majority of brands, exposure is vital.
