Google can now show you exactly what people searched before they landed on your Instagram. It's a new feature in Search Console called a platform property, and if you post on Instagram for your business, it's worth five minutes of your time.
What a platform property actually shows you
Once your Instagram is connected, you'll see:
- The exact search terms that lead people to your Instagram
- How often your posts and profile turn up in Google Search
- How many of those searches turn into clicks
Right now, you're probably guessing what's working. This turns it into something you can check.
How to connect it
- Go to search.google.com/search-console and sign in with the Google account you use for your business.
- Click Add property, then choose Instagram.
- Sign in with the Instagram account you post from and click Allow when Google asks to authorise the connection.
- Give it a few days — your first report should start showing data after that.
Don't see Instagram listed yet? Google's still rolling this out, so it hasn't reached every account. That's not something you've done wrong.
Where people get stuck
Step 3 is the one that trips people up. Approve the wrong permissions, or the wrong account, and Google either shows no data or data for the wrong profile — with no obvious error message telling you why.
If you'd rather not risk it, get in touch and I'll connect it properly, confirm the right account is linked, and walk you through what the numbers mean once they land.
This is Issue 1 of Peace, Love & Page One, a new series on quick, practical ways to get your business found online. Subscribe to get the next one via the form in the footer of this page and receive straight to your inbox — Issue #2 is on getting found in AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.
You can also follow along on Instagram for the shorter version of these tips.
Kimmie K | Baby Lion Design Co
Baby Lion Design Co. is a Northern Rivers brand and web design studio, run by Kimmie K, crafting high-quality websites, brand and logo design for purpose-led businesses in Byron Bay, Ballina, Alstonville, Lismore and beyond. Based in the Northern Rivers — proudly partnering with good humans Australia-wide and internationally.