Learn the basics of Instagram SEO to optimize your profile and content, and help your target audience find you in search results.
SEO on Instagram (search engine optimization) can be your ticket to increased discoverability and reach on Instagram.
From hashtags to alt text, we’re explaining how to take on an SEO mindset in your Instagram strategy, so you can tap into relevant audiences on the app.
As social networks shift to allow users to discover content with greater intention, it’s time to master SEO on Instagram.
Keep reading to learn the best ways to optimize your profile and content and get seen by the people who are actively searching for brands similar to yours.
What is Instagram SEO?
Instagram SEO refers to the techniques used to optimize your Instagram content and increase its visibility in search results. The goal is to have your account or posts appear at the top of the list when someone searches for keywords related to your business. This involves tailoring your content to appear in various places, from search results to suggested feeds, and maximizing your reach.
By implementing SEO on Instagram tactics, you can boost your discoverability and reach a wider audience. Search results on Instagram can include relevant content, accounts, audio, hashtags, and places, so it’s crucial to optimize all aspects of your content to ensure maximum exposure.
Improving your visibility on Instagram can help you grow your following and build a strong, engaged community. With more eyes on your content, you increase your chances of being noticed and creating meaningful connections with your audience.
How does Instagram SEO actually work?
Instagram’s algorithm analyzes every post on the app to extract information that helps identify its theme and target audience.
Although the algorithm operates automatically, there are ways to optimize your content for greater visibility and reach.
Continue reading to uncover effective strategies that can boost your discoverability on Instagram.
Why is Instagram SEO so important?
Gone are the days when hashtags and the Explore page were the only ways to discover new content on Instagram. Nowadays, Instagram search reigns supreme.
With more than one billion active monthly users on Instagram, utilizing SEO techniques is crucial for gaining exposure and being discovered on the platform.
As the directory for every account on the app, Instagram search is a vital part of the Explore page. Similar to using Google, the search bar at the top of the Explore page allows users to find and explore accounts, hashtags, and locations.
By customizing your Instagram content, you can capitalize on what your desired audience is searching for.
But that’s not all – SEO also influences the content that appears on users’ suggested posts. This feature showcases a collection of posts from accounts that you don’t follow, based on the ones you do follow and the posts you enjoy or save.
According to Instagram, these suggestions are tailored to show, “posts from accounts like the ones you follow and posts similar to the ones you like or save.” With that in mind, mastering SEO on Instagram can help you reach a wider audience and increase your following on the platform.
Instagram SEO ranking factors
Instagram’s algorithm considers a lot of factors when it comes to determining the ranking of search results on the Explore page.
To help you get started, here are the three most important factors according to Instagram:
1- Search Result Information: Instagram considers the popularity of a post or account, based on the number of likes, shares, and followers it has. So, the more engagement your post gets, the higher the chances of it appearing at the top of search results.
2- Relevance to Search Query: The algorithm looks for top posts, accounts, audio, tags, and places that match the search query, and prioritizes them accordingly. This is the most crucial factor in determining the ranking of search results.
3- User Activity: Instagram personalizes search results based on the searcher’s previous activity on the app. If Instagram thinks a user will be more interested in a particular post, it will rank it higher in the search results.
To improve your Instagram SEO, make sure your content is accurately identified by the algorithm. This means using relevant tags and captions and creating engaging posts that generate more likes, shares, and followers. By doing this, you’ll increase your chances of appearing at the top of Instagram search results, and attract more followers to your account.
Tactics to Increase Your Discoverability And reach
Write Descriptive Captions With Keywords
In the past, the only way to explore content on Instagram was by searching through hashtags, location tags, usernames, and profile names. However, times have changed, and you can now expand your search by incorporating relevant keywords.
Crafting descriptive captions with targeted keywords can greatly impact the discoverability of your content. Although some keywords may stem from your account’s name, username, and bio, they primarily originate from the captions you create. Re
By using carefully chosen, descriptive keywords in your Instagram captions, you increase the likelihood of appearing on the Explore page and attracting a wider audience. Boost your visibility on this social media platform by employing this strategy today!
Add Keywords to Your Instagram Profile Name
To boost your Instagram following and leverage the power of Instagram search, optimizing your Instagram profile is key.
Incorporating relevant keywords into your username or name field can significantly increase your chances of ranking for those keywords in Instagram Search.
If you can’t squeeze a keyword into your username, fret not, as adding keywords to your name field can be just as effective.
By doing so, you improve your visibility and increase the likelihood of showing up in top search results for your desired keywords. This simple tweak can go a long way in growing your Instagram presence.
Include Your Top Relevant Hashtags
In order to expand your reach on Instagram, it’s essential to use relevant, targeted hashtags on your posts and stories. Not only can this help you get discovered by new audiences, but it can also improve your chances of engagement and follower growth.
When you add a hashtag to a post on your public Instagram account, it becomes visible on the corresponding hashtag’s results page. By using the “right” hashtags, you can increase your chances of appearing in front of your ideal audience, even if they haven’t connected with you yet.
Crafting a clear and effective hashtag strategy is key to maximizing your Instagram potential. Without one, you could miss out on valuable opportunities to optimize your account and increase engagement. So, take the time to research and select the best hashtags for your brand and content, and watch your reach and following grow, you can use numerous Instagram SEO tools to discover the best hashtags.
Add Descriptive Alt Text to Your Instagram Posts
By adding custom alternative text, Instagram provides an opportunity to enrich your photo descriptions and improve their visibility. Originally intended for accessibility, the alt text feature also serves as a valuable tool when doing SEO for Instagram.
While Instagram generates alt text automatically, the results are often hit or miss. Thankfully, you can take control by manually entering alt text when creating a post, ensuring that your content is accurately described and optimized with relevant keywords.
Through the use of object recognition technology, Instagram generates descriptions for those using screen readers. However, by crafting descriptive alt text, you can elevate the quality and appeal of your posts. Don’t settle for bland or generic descriptions, provide your audience with captivating details that will capture their interest.
Use subtitles for video
Auto-generated subtitles on Instagram videos are a game-changer for accessibility, but did you know they can also boost your SEO? By including your target keywords in video subtitles, you provide search engines with valuable context and increase your visibility on both Instagram and traditional search engines.
Subtitles go beyond captions, giving search crawlers a more comprehensive understanding of your video’s content. It’s a simple but effective way to improve your SEO and reach a wider audience.
Engage with accounts that rank for your target keywords
Connecting with Instagram accounts that already rank for your target keywords is a smart move. It not only helps Instagram categorize your account, but it also encourages users to engage with you in return.
By engaging with others, you create a community of supporters who can boost your engagement, which is a key factor in ranking higher on Instagram. Plus, it’s just good social media etiquette! So go ahead and double-dip on your ranking factors while making new friends.
Consistency in Niche is Key
One crucial strategy for improving your Instagram visibility is to maintain consistency in your SEO practices.
By adhering to these best practices, the algorithm becomes better acquainted with your account.
Through such consistency, Instagram learns about your brand and services, resulting in your profile and content being served to users who are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer as they browse the platform.
Don’t miss out on the immense benefits of increased visibility and reach that comes with a consistent SEO message about your brand.
What’s Holding You Back?
With minor adjustments and enhancements, you can capitalize on the Instagram Search and suggested posts.
Take advantage of the SEO on Instagram tips provided above and cultivate a loyal, engaged following that connects with your content.
Don’t wait any longer – start sharing your optimized posts and watch your audience grow today!