What is Instagram SEO and How To Do It? Best Practices

Are you regularly posting on Instagram, but not getting engagements?

Instagram has over a billion users. Therefore, gaining visibility for your content can be a challenging task. 

But do not worry. Instagram SEO is the secret to boosting your visibility and reaching a wider audience. That too without relying on paid ads.

Just like how SEO works for websites, Instagram SEO helps you optimize your profile, posts, and hashtags to show up in search results and on the Explore page. When done right, Instagram SEO can make your content more discoverable.

In this simple step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of Instagram SEO, from setting up a keyword-optimized profile to using hashtags that drive results. Follow these easy steps, and you'll soon be on your way to making Instagram work for you. 

Let’s get started!

What is Instagram SEO?

Instagram SEO is the process of optimizing your Instagram profile and content. So that you can increase your visibility and reach. It is just like Google uses SEO to rank websites. 

Instagram uses its own algorithms to decide things. Like what content appears in search results and on users' feeds. By using Instagram SEO, you can make sure your posts are seen by more people, even without paying for ads.

Why Does Instagram SEO Matter?

Because there are so many users, it is simple for your posts to get lost. So it is necessary to understand how to overcome this. You know Instagram’s algorithm considers multiple factors to decide which posts to show to users. Like keywords, engagement, and user activity.

If your profile and posts are optimized for Instagram SEO, you increase the chances of appearing on the Explore page or search results when people search for topics relevant to your niche.

If you better optimize your Instagram account, it can help attract the right audience relevant to your profile content. It helps you grow your followers, improve engagement, and increase your visibility on the platform. 

But without Instagram SEO, your content might get lost in thousands of daily instagram posts. No matter how great it is. By following simple SEO practices, you can stand out and make the most of Instagram's features to reach your goals.

Steps to Optimize Your Instagram Profile

Optimizing your Instagram profile is one of the most important steps in Instagram SEO. A well-optimized profile helps you show your content to the right people. It also enhances your visibility chances in search results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to optimize your Instagram profile.

Step 1: Make Your Profile Public

One of the first things you need to do is make your profile public. If your profile is private, only your followers can see your posts. Which decreases your visibility. 

A public profile allows anyone to watch your posts. This is essential for growing your following and getting more engagement. When people search for content related to your niche, they won’t be able to find you if your profile is private.

Step 2: Choose a Clear and Recognizable Profile Picture

Your profile picture is one of the first things people will notice about your account. So it is very important to choose a picture that clearly represents your brand or niche. If you’re a business, use your company logo as your profile picture.

If you're a personal brand, a professional picture is good option. Make sure the image is clear and easy to recognize even when it’s small. A good profile picture helps build trust. It enhances the professional look of your profile.

Step 3: Craft a Keyword-Optimized Bio

Your bio is your first chance to introduce yourself to the new viewer. It shows what you do in a few words. It should be clear and to the point. To optimize your bio for Instagram SEO, include relevant keywords related to your niche. 

For example, if you’re a fitness coach, use terms like "fitness trainer" or "workout tips." This will help Instagram understand what your account is about. So, Instagram will show your profile to users interested in fitness.

Also, add a call-to-action (CTA) in your bio. For instance, “DM me for fitness tips” or “Click below to get started.” A CTA encourages users to take action. They can send you a message or visit your website.

Step 4: Use a Business Account

If you switch to an Instagram business account. You can get access to Instagram Insights. It is a tool that provides valuable data about your followers and how your posts are performing. With this information, you can make smarter decisions about what content to post and when to post it. 

Plus, a business account allows you to add contact information. Like an email address or phone number. So it gets easier for your customers to contact you.

Step 5: Add a Trackable Link

Your bio should also include a trackable link to your website, blog, or online store. This allows you to direct followers to a specific landing page.

If you have multiple links, consider using tools like Linktree to combine them into one easy-to-click link. Trackable links also help you see how many people are clicking through to your website or landing page.

Best Practices for Instagram SEO

It is a continuous process to optimize your Instagram profile. If you want to get more people to see and interact with your content, here are some best practices you can use to make it shine and reach more people.

1. Use Keywords in Captions and Hashtags

The use of keywords in your captions and hashtags is One of the easiest ways to improve your Instagram SEO.

• Caption: Caption is one of the best methods to connect with your followers. They also improve your SEO. Use keywords that belong to your niche and incorporate them directly and naturally. For instance, a food blogger can use terms like “healthy recipes” or “easy cooking.” Embed these keywords in such a way that does not feel forced, ensuring they fit into the tone and context of your post. So Instagram’s algorithm will know about your post and will show it more in the search results.

• Hashtags: Hashtags are very important in Instagram SEO as well. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags are those that a lot of users type in, such as #food or #fitness, but niche hashtags are more closely related to your audience, such as #glutenfree or #fitmom. Identify posts hashtags that your audience would be using and use them in your posts. To make it more discoverable to users interested in those topics, Instagram categorizes your content with the right hashtags.

2. Focus on Engagement

Instagram’s algorithm favors accounts with high engagement. The more engagement (likes, comments, shares) on your posts, the higher the chance that Instagram will share your content on their own page.

To increase your engagement, you need your followers to take action on your posts. Here are some ideas:

• Ask Questions: Wrap up your captions with a question. For instance, “What’s your go-to healthy dish? or “Which workout do you like better?”

• Host Giveaways: Giveaways are a great way to increase engagement. To enter, ask followers to tag their friends & share your post.

• Polls and Quizzes: Use Instagram’s poll or quiz feature in your Stories. It’s a simple way to get people in your audience engaged whilst gaining insight into your demographic.

Keep in mind, that the more engagement you receive, the more probable you are to appear on Instagram’s Explore page, which in and of itself can broadly increase your visibility.

3. Post Consistently

Consistency is key on Instagram. Regularly post content, this keeps you in your followers' feeds and builds trust over time. If you want to get more people to see your content, the more you post, the more opportunities you have to get discovered.

This allows your audience to know what days will bring new content. If you put out new content on Mondays and Thursdays, your followers will look forward to those days. Posting frequently also works well for the algorithm on Instagram, as Instagram rewards accounts that are both active and post content regularly.

Post at least 3-4 times a week to start and then adjust as you see what works best for your audience.

4. Leverage Instagram Stories and Reels

Instagram Stories and Reels are excellent ways to engage with your audience and improve your SEO.

• Instagram Stories: Stories are a fun and interactive way to connect with your followers. Use stickers, polls, questions, and countdowns to keep your followers engaged. Instagram often prioritizes Stories in the feed, so using this feature frequently can help you stay visible.

• Instagram Reels: Reels are short, engaging videos that have become extremely popular on Instagram. Reels are often given priority in the feed and are shown to a broader audience, even those who don’t follow you. Creating creative, fun, and informative Reels can help increase your reach and engagement. Be sure to include relevant keywords and hashtags in your Reels to boost discoverability.

Further Read: User-Friendly Instagram Tools You Should Use

5. Add Alt Text to Your Images

Use alt text for your images (a simple but powerful Instagram SEO tip). Alt text is a short description of what is in your image. On Instagram, you can also write your own alt text—and that’s a great place to write keywords relevant to that post.

Alt text will not only help your SEO by making your content searchable, but it also makes your content accessible for visually impaired users who use screen readers. Get very specific about your photos when you write alt text, but be concise and use relevant keywords to your image. 

For instance, instead of writing “a bowl of salad,” you can rather write: “a healthy bowl of salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and avocado” to improve both SEO as well as accessibility.

By following these best practices, you’ll be on your way to boosting your Instagram SEO, improving your content’s reach, and growing your audience. Remember, Instagram SEO takes time and consistency, but with the right strategies, you’ll see real results.

Conclusion

Instagram SEO is essential for getting your content noticed. Just by making few updates on your profile, having proper keywords, and consistent posting, you can boost your reach on Instagram.

Also, a crucial part of building a great community is engaging with your followers. Remember that Instagram SEO doesn’t happen overnight; patience and persistence are needed. However, if you are consistent with your content and follow these easy steps, then you will soon notice more people visiting your profile! 

Eventually, your engagement and followers will grow, and your Instagram account will have more power. Just keep at it, and don’t let it get you down. Instagram SEO takes time, but helps your profile grow over time!