Your Social Media Content is About to Get Even More Valuable. Here’s Why.

Instagram’s latest update is going to turn your posts into SEO gold. 

Starting July 10th, public posts from professional Instagram accounts (that’s business and creator profiles) will begin showing up in Google search results. 

That means your Reels, photos, and carousels — both past and future — will now be discoverable outside of the Instagram app. This level of organic reach is a big deal.

If you’ve spent years curating an intentional, branded presence on Instagram, this update is amazing news for you… It’s going to turn that content into long-game digital assets overnight.

But if you’ve been treating Instagram more like a highlight reel, chasing trends, or even just focusing on it from a sales perspective, it’s time to pause and rethink how you’re showing up so you can start experiencing the benefits this change will bring.

Why This Platform Update Matters

Historically, Instagram content has felt fleeting. You post, it gets a few hours of attention, and then it disappears into the scroll. But this update marks a shift: your Instagram content can now function like a searchable resource not just for followers in the app, but for anyone Googling or using AI-search on a relevant topic.

36% of Instagram users already treat the platform like a search engine, and 80% search for products or services directly within the app.

Now, with Google in the mix, your content has even more power to be discovered.

What This Means for Your Brand’s Content

If your Instagram account is a business or creator account and your posts are public, they’ll soon be searchable by default, and your captions and alt text are key to making sure your IG content ranks.

• That brand story you shared in a Reel last month? It could show up in search.
• That behind-the-scenes post with thoughtful keywords? It might land on the first page of Google results.
• Those niche how-to tips you posted in a carousel? They just became part of your SEO strategy.

We’ve always believed in this kind of content approach across social platforms and this shift will only reinforce our approach both with our clients and our own content. 

This Update Requires a Necessary Mindset Shift

This is the moment to move away from short-lived, trendy content and lean into value-driven posts with long-term impact.

Remember that the algorithm isn’t your audience; people are. Now, your content might be found by someone months from now, not just minutes after posting.

At The Breezy Company, this is how we’ve always created content:

• Using real language instead of fluff
• Prioritizing answers over aesthetics
• And focusing on what people are searching for, not just what gets likes

With 5.4 billion people using social media globally and the average person switching between 7 platforms per month, this mindset shift around your content could have a massive impact. 

And while AI search is exploding, Google still holds 81.95% of global search engine traffic, so optimizing your content to be found in both search places is essential to get the most value out of it. 

How to Leverage This Instagram Update

The good news is that you don’t need to completely overhaul your content strategy. You just need to make a few  shifts:

• Start thinking about how your content could show up in a search.
• Use real language and write captions with phrases your audience might actually Google.
• Think about what someone would search if they needed what you offe, and build content around it. 

• Add alt text because it’s not just about accessibility anymore. It’s also about searchability.
• Don’t post for the algorithm. Post for the person who will find you three months from now when they type a question into a search bar.

This Isn’t Just About Instagram

Right now, Instagram is the only platform talking publicly about this change. But as we see over and over again, these platforms copy each other, and the rest won’t be far behind.

In fact, I’ve seen this in my own content on LinkedIn.

Almost all of this traffic is from a video I posted over 8 months ago. It shot up in the first few weeks and then died down as all content does. But the LinkedIn algorithm is starting to behave in a way I’ve seen on Instagram for years. Highly engaged and well-trafficked content essentially being recycled in feeds again, and if it resonates…it can pay off big again for you. 

The point?

Video is the single best content medium to get the most bang for your buck. If you struggle to make the time or wonder if it’s worth the investment, this is just one example of data I see all the time that proves it’s worth considering for your business or personal brand.

That’s why we’re taking this same approach across every platform we use. Because content travels farther and lasts longer than we often give it credit for. This is just one more way to make sure it’s working for you well after you hit “publish.”

Let’s Talk Strategy

If you’re wondering how to shift your content strategy to match this new update, we’re here to help. Reach out to our team today and let’s make sure your content gets found by the people who need it most.