Instagram’s search features were given a major facelift in November of 2020. You may now search for generic terms and have all posts containing those phrases returned rather than just those including specific profiles, hashtags, or places.
The first implication is that Instagram has updated its algorithm. Second, you need to include Instagram SEO into your whole advertising plan.
While we are all well-versed in search engine optimization (SEO) for Google, it is important to keep in mind that many popular social networking networks also provide robust search capabilities. With Instagram’s new and improved search features, it’s more important than ever to optimise your profile and content for Insta search if you want to increase your reach and gain an edge over the competition.
In this tutorial, we’ll explain what Instagram SEO is, why it’s useful, and how to implement it into your own profile.
Why should I care about Instagram SEO?
Increasing your profile’s visibility in the Instagram search results is the goal of Instagram SEO. It may not be as exciting as watching a live stream or scrolling through a carousel of adverts, but it’s just as worthwhile an investment of your time. Best practises for Instagram search engine optimization are about to be discussed, and if you use them, you’ll have a better chance of being found by individuals looking for keywords connected to your brand. This signifies a rise in popularity and a subsequent increase in subscribers.
This company got us interested in their products without resorting to paid advertising, but rather by optimising their content around the phrase “gardening ideas.” They did this, of course, since they expect anyone searching for that term to be curious about the gardening supplies they sell.
See? That’s Instagram optimised!
First, it’s important to note that, for many companies, purchasing Instagram ad space is a highly fruitful marketing strategy. Hence, Instagram SEO shouldn’t replace Instagram ads, but rather work in tandem with them.
It’s important to remember that Instagram SEO is about more than just getting your individual posts to the top of search results for long-tail keywords.
If you’re interested in gardening but don’t want to sift through a long list of results, you can skip right to one of these profiles. And it’s not a fluke that these particular profiles are shown prominently in the list of recommendations. You can see Instagram SEO at work here once again.
The value of Instagram SEO and why it should be prioritised
You may reach individuals who are interested in what you have to offer on one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world by optimising your Instagram account for search.
Consider that every time someone searches for a term connected to your business, you have the chance to make a good impression and send targeted visitors to your profile (and your website). To make the most of these openings, Instagram SEO is essential, since it is the means through which you can interact with potential clients who are more likely to become paying customers.
Strategies for optimising your Instagram posts for search engines
Keep in mind the end aim as we go through these suggestions: increasing your profile and post rankings for the keywords that matter to you.
Choose out and arrange your keywords
For which search terms do you wish to improve your position? Before making any changes to your Instagram profile or content, you must first answer this question.
Use search-engine-optimization (SEO) keyword tools
Instagram hashtags may be generated using standard keyword research methods, such as:
WordStream’s free SEMRush and Ahrefs keyword research tool
Have in mind that Instagram users may have different search habits than those who use Google.
In this respect, hashtag research tools, such as
You may use Keyword.io’s Instagram hashtag generator
Hashtag Tool by Ingramer
Indicators of success should be set up
You should also consider how you will track the success of your Instagram SEO before you begin optimising. Impact measurement is crucial since it reveals which optimizations are (not) effective.
Key performance indicators should be established early on to ensure success (KPIs). You can monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) like the following (at the profile and post levels) using Instagram Insights, the built-in analytics tool that comes with your business profile:
Impressions
Follower counts, profile views, and website clicks
Once you’ve decided on your key performance indicators (KPIs), you may evaluate the results of your optimization efforts.
Enhance your online persona (username & bio)
After deciding (1) which keywords to focus on and (2) how to measure your return on investment, you can begin fine-tuning your profile and its individual postings.
Let’s start with your full profile and make sure it’s the best it can be by tweaking your username and bio. (Recall that we previously mentioned that not all optimizations are created equal. Your username and bio are your most valuable assets, therefore making the most of them is crucial. The only real need for a username is that it contain the single most important term to the user.
Even optimising your Instagram bio is simple: You can use this space to emphasise valuable terms that weren’t allowed in your username.
After giving some thought to both your username and bio, your Instagram profile should be in fine form. Let’s conclude off this discussion by talking about how to best optimise each of your individual postings.
Images should have alternate text added to them
You probably already know that include alt text on your photographs helps optimise them for websites and blogs, but you may not be aware that you can do the same for Instagram. When you’re ready to edit the caption for your image, click “Advanced Options” at the bottom of the screen.
You may edit the alt text by going to the “Accessibility” tab.
This improves the Instagram SEO and accessibility of your posts.