5 Instagram SEO Tactics To Reach More Eyes
Knowing how to use SEO to your advantage can increase your visibility on Instagram.
Here are five ways to boost discoverability:
Tactic #1: Write Descriptive Captions With Keywords
Previously, you could only search in Instagram Explore via hashtags, location tags, usernames, and profile names.
However, you can now search using keywords too.
That means writing relevant, descriptive captions using choice keywords can seriously impact your content’s discoverability.
And while some of those keywords can come from an account’s name or username, they mainly come from the captions (and hashtags) you write.
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Tactic #2: Add Keywords to Your Instagram Profile Name
If you want to grow your following and use Instagram search to your advantage, you need to optimize your Instagram bio.
If you’re hoping to rank for a specific keyword, it’s a good idea to incorporate that keyword into your name or username — since both are searchable on Instagram.
Take for example the outlet, Paper Magazine. Both their name and username contain the keyword “magazine.”
If you can’t fit a keyword into your username, adding keywords to your name field can be just as valuable.
Tactic #3: Include up to 30 Relevant Hashtags
Using relevant, targeted hashtags on posts is still a great way to get discovered by new audiences on Instagram.
If you have a public Instagram account and add a hashtag to a post, that post will be visible on the corresponding hashtag’s results page.
And since hashtags are used with the intent to categorize and discover new content, using the right hashtags can put you in front of your target audience — even if they haven’t connected with you before.
TIP: ’s Hashtag Suggestion tool is an easy way to find hashtags based on the content of your post and similar hashtags in your industry.
Tactic #4: Add Descriptive Alt Text to Your Instagram Posts
Instagram alt text is a feature that allows you to write custom alternative text for a richer description of your photos.
And while the feature was mainly designed to improve accessibility on the platform, it can also be used for SEO purposes too.
But, make sure you’re putting accessibility at the forefront — don’t keyword stuff just for the sake of it.
At the moment, Instagram automatically generates alt text for your photos, but you can add them manually too.
How To Add Alt Text to an Instagram Post:
To add alt text to a post, tap Advanced Settings at the bottom of the screen before posting.
Next, tap Write Alt Text.
Write your alt text in the box and tap Done.
Tactic #5: Be Consistent With Your Niche
Finally, a major (yet simple) visibility tactic is to be consistent with your Instagram SEO practices.
The more you follow the aforementioned best practices, the more the algorithm will learn what your account is all about.
This type of consistency teaches Instagram who you are and what you offer — which means your profile and content will be served to relevant users as they browse Instagram.
See how posts from Shevoke populate the Explore page when “sunglasses” is searched:
With just a few SEO tweaks and improvements, you can easily take advantage of Instagram searches and suggested posts.
Equipped with the above Instagram SEO tips, you can grow a following who engages with your posts — whether it’s dropping a comment, sharing with friends, or clicking the link in your bio.
May the SEO odds be ever in your favor.
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