Your Instagram Posts Can Now Appear on Google : Here’s How to Make It Work for Your Veterinary Practice

Instagram just became a lot more powerful for vet clinics. From July 10, 2025, Google is officially indexing public Instagram content from Business and Creator accounts. That means your posts, Reels, and carousels could now show up in Google search results right alongside your website, reviews, and other online listings.

For veterinary practices, this update offers a new way to get found by pet owners who are searching on Google, even if they’ve never followed you on social media. It’s a simple change, but one that could significantly boost your visibility in your local area.

In this blog, we’ll break down what’s changed, what you need to do, and how to take advantage of this update to get more pet owners finding your clinic through search.

Until now, Instagram posts were hidden from Google. Even if you were posting regularly, those images and captions were locked inside the app, not contributing to your broader online visibility.

But with this update, Google will now index public Instagram content from professional accounts, making it appear in relevant Google searches. So if someone Googles “puppy vaccinations in Newcastle” or “itchy dog vet Gold Coast,” your Instagram post on that exact topic could show up in their search results.

Only professional (Business or Creator) accounts are eligible for indexing. This includes most veterinary practices already using Instagram as a marketing tool.

Your Instagram content can be indexed if:

• Your account is set to Business or Creator
• Your posts are public
• You’re over 18 (applies to account holders)

Your content won’t be indexed if:

• You use a personal Instagram account
• Your profile is set to private
• You haven't enabled the new setting allowing search engine visibility

To enable indexing, visit Instagram > Settings > Privacy > Searchability and switch on “Allow public photos and videos to appear in search engine results.”

1. Get Found by Pet Owners Searching Locally

• When someone Googles “cat desexing near me” or “dog dentist Ballina,” your Instagram post, with the right caption and location tag, could now appear in the results. This gives you an extra way to connect with local clients beyond your website or Google Business Profile.

2. Maximise the Value of Your Posts

• Most Instagram posts have a short shelf life. But indexed content can keep showing up in search results for weeks or months, especially when it matches a popular search term.

3. Stay Ahead of Corporate Clinics

• Large corporate vet chains have strong SEO teams. This update gives local, independent clinics a free and easy way to boost visibility, especially when your content is personalised and locally relevant.

This update means Instagram should now be part of your local SEO strategy. That starts with sharing content that pet owners are actively searching for.

Here are some ideas for keyword-optimised content you can post:

Common Service Posts: 

• “Why your dog needs an annual health check”
• “What to expect during your cat’s dental scale and polish”
• “Puppy vaccination schedule: what every owner should know”
• “Is your dog itching constantly? Let’s talk skin allergies.”
• “How desexing benefits your pet’s long-term health”

Seasonal Topics: 

• “Spring tick prevention tips for dogs and cats”
• “Keeping pets calm during thunderstorms and fireworks”
• “Heatstroke in pets: what to look out for in summer”

Behind-the-Scenes Content: 

• “Inside our in-house pathology lab”
• “What happens during your pet’s CT scan?”
• “Surgical success story: Meet Max the Labrador after cruciate surgery”

Pro Tip: Use keywords in your captions, image alt text, and location tags, not just in hashtags. These help Google understand what your post is about and match it to local search queries. 

Turn On Indexing

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Searchability
• Toggle on the option to allow content to appear in search engines

Write Search-Friendly Captions

Think of each post like a mini web page. Use clear, keyword-rich language in your captions, including your suburb and service.

Example:
“Is your dog always scratching? At our vet clinic in Byron Bay, we help identify and treat skin allergies fast. Book a check-up today.”

Use Alt Text

Instagram allows you to manually add image descriptions. Include keywords and service terms.  e.g. “vet dentist, cleaning dog teeth in Melbourne.”

Tag Your Location

Add your clinic’s location or suburb to each post. This helps you show up in local search results.

Review Old Content

Some of your older public posts could now be indexed. Make sure they still reflect your brand, services, and messaging.

Search behaviour is changing. Pet owners are turning to Google, and increasingly, AI search engines like Google SGE, Bing Chat, ChatGPT and Perplexity, to find local service providers fast.

If your Instagram content is part of that search result, you have a better chance of being chosen. If it’s not, your competitors may show up instead.

By aligning your Instagram strategy with your SEO goals, you’re not just growing your followers - you’re growing your practice.

At Vet Marketing, we work with veterinary practices to grow visibility across websites, social media, and Google. This Instagram indexing update is just one part of the evolving AI-powered search landscape, and we’re here to help you keep up.

If you need help with this and want to grow your presence on Google through smart SEO and AI search strategies, reach out to our team.

We’ll help your practice be found, trusted, and chosen - every time a pet owner searches.