Your Instagram Isn’t Enough: How Social Media, SEO, and Google Really Work Together
We’re living in a time where everyone says, “You need to be online,” but no one explains what that actually means or how the pieces work together.
You’re posting on Instagram. You might even have a website. Maybe your business pops up on Google Maps. But you’re still asking:
• Why am I not getting more bookings?
• Why aren’t people calling or visiting?
• Why do I feel like I’m doing everything right, but still not getting found?
If that sounds like you, you’re not failing, you’re just missing the connection between social media, SEO, and Google.
Let’s break it down without the jargon.
The Three Pillars of Digital Visibility
Think of your online presence like a triangle, remove one corner, and the whole thing loses balance.
• Social Media is your story, where you build vibe, connection, and credibility.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is your visibility, how people find you without already knowing your name.
• Google is the gatekeeper, it connects the dots between who you are, what people say about you, and whether you’re worth showing to others.
The catch? They don’t work alone. They rely on each other.
Why Social Media Alone Doesn’t Cut It
You can post every day. Have a beautiful grid. Use all the trending audios. But if you’re not showing up when people search for your service or product on Google, you’re still invisible to new customers.
Social media is great for people who already know you.
But what about people who need you, and don’t know you exist yet?
That’s where SEO comes in.
The Role of SEO: Making You Findable When People Need You Most
SEO is the quiet work behind the scenes that ensures when someone searches:
• “best facial near me”
• “tattoo removal in Santa Clarita”
• “cute boutique with gifts under $30”
…your business is what they see.
It’s driven by:
• Keywords on your site
• Google Business activity
• Blog content
• Reviews
• Page speed, site structure, and a dozen other signals
But here’s the thing: getting found is only half the battle.
Because once someone clicks, they start judging, fast.
They’ll look at your photos. Your social feed. Your reviews.
They’ll decide if your content matches the promise that got them there.
How Google Connects It All
Google doesn’t just look at your website.
It considers how active you are across the web, including social.
• Are you posting consistently?
• Do you have positive reviews?
• Is your information accurate?
• Are people engaging with your brand?
The more complete your digital footprint is, the more confidence Google has in showing your business to others.
It’s not about gaming the system.
It’s about being a real, active, trustworthy business, online and off.
The Catch: Your Online Story Has to Match the In-Person Experience
You can’t fake it.
If your content says “award-winning service” but the in-store experience is sloppy, your online reputation will reflect it.
If you promise the “best tacos in town for $5,” but they’re $12 and microwaved, no amount of keywords will save you.
At the end of the day, SEO and social media can only amplify what’s already true.
Yes, It’s a Lot of Work — But That’s Why It Works
Let’s be real.
This takes time.
It takes consistency.
It takes planning, patience, and strategy.
But that’s what makes it work.
If it were easy, everyone would be ranking #1 on Google and booked out months in advance.
Building your online presence is like building a brand, brick by brick.
Our job is to make sure those bricks are stacked in the right order, at the right time, and with the right message.
So What’s the Answer? Balance. Consistency. Alignment.
• Post regularly, but say something worth saying.
• Build your website with clear, search-friendly info.
• Keep your Google Business listing updated and reply to every review.
• Make sure your social content reflects what people will actually experience when they show up.
When all three work together, that’s when the real momentum begins.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to do everything.
But you do need to do the right things, together.
If you’re showing up in pieces, you’re not showing up fully.
The algorithm sees it.
Customers feel it.
And your results reflect it.
Written by
In-House Brand Lab by D. Nieves
We build digital presence that’s real, honest, and designed to grow with you, from search results to social feeds to the first impression you make online.