Have you heard the news? Your instagram posts might start showing up on google
There’s been a major Instagram update that’s got me (and lots of other business owners) quietly excited…
Your public posts could soon start showing up in search engine results like google, safari and more sites!
If you’re rebuilding your online presence like me, or want your content to have a longer lifespan, this is big. Because it means your content has the chance to live longer and be seen by more people, even those who aren’t already following you on Instagram or browsing the web.
Scroll down to find out what it means and grab some keyword-friendly caption ideas to try out. ↓
Why this update matters for creators and business accounts
Let’s be real for a sec, it’s pretty annoying when you spend a lot of time on creating content for your audience for it to just disappear again within 48 hours. (I know vanity metrics, are just that, for vanity) so when we create now it makes it feel a little more worthwhile because now, your posts could go beyond Instagram. And now with this update, your content might actually:
Stick around longer thanks to keyword search visibility
Reach more people who are actively searching for your topic
Lead to that sweet, sweet organic, evergreen reach (aka what we all want)
So what do we do now?
Your insta is like a mini website…
Keep your content clear, easy to understand, and skimmable. Simple is powerful
Be intentional about what keywords you use in captions, in on-screen text and in reels and research trending keywords in your niche
Natural is the way to go, try not to keyword stuff (even though it’s tempting), it could actually hurt your reach
Think like a customer would. Use the language they’d type into google, not just the wording you’d use to describe your services behind the scenes
Add alt text to graphics. It helps with accessibility and search visibility
Examples of keyword friendly copy for instagram captions
BABY SLEEP TRAINER:
✓ "How to get a toddler to sleep through the night"
✗ Instead of: "Sleep consulting services"
COFFEE SHOP:
✓ "Gluten-free brunch in [city]"
✓ "Dog-friendly cafés near [area]"
✗ Instead of: "Local café"
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER:
✓ "Wedding photographer in [city]"
✓ "Outdoor wedding photographer at [venue name]"
✗ Instead of: "Wedding photographer"
The age old question: do hashtags even matter on instagram anymore?
Honestly, I don’t know anymore (I’m just out here trying my best to keep up with the ever changing platform). BUT from what what we know so far about hashtags, they no longer boost direct reach like they used to, but they help your post show up in search results.
They’ve lost the power they used to hold for discovery, but I’m still going to use a few of them alongside relevant keywords and experiment as I go.
My final thoughts…
As someone who has a sorta difficult relationship with social media, this update makes me excited knowing that our content could reach more people and the effort we put into it might not disappear forever. It encourages me to write better, repurpose and think more creatively. And, although it’s hard, I keep the mindset of making content should be fun. It’s a tool to build awareness about how I can help business owners, connect with like-midned people, and of course enjoy the memes. (That’s what I’m really here for ;))
✨ What do you think about this update?
Rubie x
Want help making your content feel more put together?
Whether it’s refreshing your templates or making sure your content lands with the right people, I’m here to help your socials look (and sound) more like the brand you’ve built. Need some help but not sure where to start, let's talk it through here.
