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Instagram has rolled out a major update that allows public photos and videos from any user, regardless of account type, to appear in third-party search engine results. The change also means that it will offer influencers a new way to reach more people beyond their current followers and increase their visibility.
Meta has confirmed that public photos and videos from professional accounts can now be indexed by third-party search engines like Google and Bing. This means content from Reels and posts—if uploaded after January 1, 2020 — could now show up in global search results, giving creators a potential visibility boost far beyond their follower base.
To qualify, the account must be public, professional, and the user must be 18 or older. Once indexed, even older posts, including those from before the user turned 18, can become searchable.
While this move could significantly enhance discoverability—especially for influencers trying to grow their digital
presence or attract brand deals—it also raises privacy and content control concerns.
Creators who no longer want their content to be indexed can opt out by adjusting their account privacy settings, switching to a personal profile, or making the account private. However, Meta clarifies that de-indexing from Google or Bing may take time, and that even if an account is deleted, content may still remain visible in search results.
There are also concerns around ownership and misuse, as search engines operate under their own terms and can use indexed content at their discretion.
Instagram says creators can manage remix permissions or file legal takedown requests, but admits that it can’t guarantee removal by third-party search engines
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