Instagram for Contractors: How Instagram Content Can Now Help You Rank on Google

Starting July 10, 2025, Instagram will allow professional accounts to opt in to Google indexing. That means your reels, carousels, and captions can now show up in Google search results.

This is a big shift for contractors, home service pros, and builders. If you’ve been using Instagram mainly for branding or word-of-mouth referrals, it’s time to rethink its role. This is no longer just a social platform—it’s a new SEO channel.

Why This Matters, Even If You're Not a Social Media Fan

I’ll be honest, I don’t love posting on social media. My personal accounts have been inactive for years. But when it comes to business visibility, I pay attention to what actually drives leads.

And if Google says it’s going to start ranking short-form Instagram content, that’s something worth taking seriously.

If you care about SEO for contractors, builders, or home services, you now have another surface to rank—without writing a single blog post.

Instagram + Google = A New Search Opportunity

Historically, Instagram content was blocked from being indexed. Google may have occasionally picked up reels or profile pages, but it wasn’t consistent. That changes this July.

Now, if you run a professional account and enable the setting, your content can be indexed and ranked just like any other piece of content on the web.

This means your before-and-after reels, job site walkthroughs, and process videos have a shot at showing up in local search results.

Someone searching for “bathroom renovation Richmond” or “modern home builder VA” might find your Instagram post—not just your website.

Why This Is a Game-Changer for SEO for Contractors and Builders

Let’s say you build custom decks. You’ve been posting photos and videos of your projects, but none of that content has helped your Google presence.

Now it can.

Visual content that speaks directly to user intent—like a 30-second video showing the installation process, has the potential to outrank static web pages. This is especially true for local, visual, or project-based searches.

If you’re in construction, landscaping, design, or remodeling, this is your moment. Instagram for home services isn’t just about aesthetics anymore—it’s a discoverability tool.

Google's AI Is Behind This Change

This shift isn’t random. It’s driven by how Google’s AI is evolving.

Search is becoming multimodal, meaning Google is blending text, visuals, and user behavior to determine what content ranks. If a user stops scrolling to watch your reel, that signal now carries weight.

Google doesn’t just want answers. It wants engagement, usefulness, and clarity. If your reel answers a question or shows a solution better than a blog post, it might take the top spot.

This is why SEO for builders and service-based businesses is no longer just about keywords—it’s about delivering value through format and intent.

How to Make Instagram Content Rank on Google

Here’s how contractors and home service brands can make Instagram work as part of a modern SEO strategy:

• Write intent-based captions. Don’t just describe the project. Use captions to explain what’s happening, what problem was solved, and what the client needed.
• Use specific hashtags. These act like meta tags. Include keywords like #kitchenremodelVA or #deckbuilderRichmond.
• Add subtitles and overlays. Instagram is often viewed without sound. Subtitles make your content understandable and crawlable.
• Answer real questions. Focus on posts that respond to things your customers search for: “How long does a remodel take?” or “Do I need permits for a deck?”
• Think local. Geo-tag your content and include local references. This helps Google understand the service area you’re targeting.

We’re Putting This into Practice Too

Two weeks ago, we launched our new Instagram page and started posting more intentionally. We’re sharing growth marketing insights, campaign strategy breakdowns, and what we’re learning as SEO keeps evolving.

Not because we want more likes, but because visibility is shifting, and we’re adapting right alongside our clients in the trades, services, and local business sectors.

Check us out on IG: instagram.com/bg_growthmarketing/

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