Does SEO work on Instagram? - [Top 5 proven tips]

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio [Pexels]

Does SEO work on Instagram?:

Yes, SEO can work on Instagram. In fact, it helps to improve your reach and visibility on the platform.

Instagram is a social media platform that has over 2 billion monthly active users, and it is a great platform for businesses to showcase their brands and products.

Do you know? - “Instagram has proven to be the best source of ROI, engagement, and quality leads (tied with Facebook). Marketers also feel that the Instagram algorithm is the most accurate, and that it’s the best place to grow a brand audience” - Report by HubSpot and Brandwatch

However, with so many users on the platform, it can be challenging to get your content seen by your target audience. This is where SEO comes in.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it is a set of techniques used to optimize your content for search engines like Google.

However, while Instagram is not a search engine, the platform's algorithm works similarly to how search engines work.

The algorithm determines which posts should appear on a user's feed based on various factors such as engagement, relevance, freshness, and timeliness.

To improve your Instagram SEO, you need to focus on optimizing your content for the algorithm and also based on your audience and followers' needs, and interests, promptly.

To give you more information, let's go deeper.

Overview of Instagram Advertising Audience Profile:

Image Source – Meltwater’s Digital 2024 Global Overview Report

Instagram SEO:

Here are the top five proven tips to get you started to make SEO work on your Instagram platform:

1. Optimize Instagram Profile:

Your Instagram profile is like a mini-website for your brand. Make sure to optimize it by including relevant keywords in your bio and using an easily recognizable profile picture.

Remember to include business links that will help drive people or traffic to your intended site, such as your website, landing page, or other relevant pages.

Have a look at or examine at least 3–5 inspiring Instagram profiles based on your business niche, then work on your profile as necessary.

If you want others to connect with you, direct message (DM) you, or click on your website links, add a very brief summary to your profile. Characters space is limited, make sure to add within it.

In other words, consider why someone would need or want to follow you. It can be how you might assist them in achieving their needs, requirements, and objectives. Refer to the example here.

Remember - “Social profiles often rank in search. And search visibility of content often drives follows and shares” – Orbit Media

2. Post Consistently:

The Instagram algorithm favors accounts that post consistently. By posting regularly, you signal to the algorithm that your account is active and engaging.

To attract attention and encourage engagement, be sure to share high-quality images, or videos as needed. Reels and Stories perform better.

“with Instagram as a discovery platform of trends, brands, products or services, it’s important to get high-quality photos and content in front of potential consumers’ eyes at the right time” – Sprout Social

3. Use Relevant Hashtags:

Hashtags are a great way to increase your reach and visibility on Instagram. When you use relevant hashtags, your content becomes more discoverable by users who are searching for that specific topic or keyword.

According to Later, it has been observed that using a higher number of hashtags tends to yield optimal outcomes, as evidenced by their research.

It means the study revealed that posts incorporating 20 hashtags received the highest average reach rate.

Note - “Don’t overuse hashtags — this may feel and look spammy to your audience (not to mention it isn’t aesthetically pleasing)” – HubSpot

Number of Instagram Hashtags vs. Reach Rate per Feed Post:

Image Source - Later

Types of Hashtags:

Here are the 5 types of hashtags you can explore to use for your work:

4. Use Keywords:

Just like in traditional SEO, using relevant keywords in your captions, accessibility (alt text space), and post descriptions can help your content appear in search results on the platform.

Make sure to include keywords that are very relevant to your business niche or industry.

In other words, keywords and hashtags help Instagram's algorithm understand what your post is about and can help you show up in relevant search results.

"To optimize your brand accounts, overall social presence, and individual posts for search, use keywords, and keep a pulse on the trends in your audience” - Report by HubSpot and Brandwatch

5. Focus on Engagement:

One of the most critical factors in Instagram's algorithm is engagement. The more engagement your posts receive, the more likely they are to appear on users' feeds. This could be even in your non-followers network.

This helps to maximize reach, boost visibility, drive traffic, and also increase your business or brand awareness. Encourage your followers to like, comment, and share your posts.

This not only helps build relationships and a sense of community but also increases your visibility on the platform.

Similarly, be sure to comment on other posts [daily for at least 20 minutes to start with] that are relevant to your niche to increase profile visits. This might even lead to opportunities for collaboration with other Instagram creators.

Make the most of the Instagram Stories, Carousels, and Reels that increase platform engagement.

“To gain new followers, you should post content that's meant to be re-shared, so that when others do re-share it on their own Instagram Stories and tag you, their audience will find you and follow you” – HubSpot

Instagram Global Engagement:

In conclusion, SEO works on Instagram by helping to boost your post's reach and visibility.

By optimizing your content for the algorithm, your audience, and your followers, you can increase your chances of appearing on users' feeds and reaching your target audience.

So, start implementing these tips today, be consistent, and watch your Instagram presence grow.

Here's related information that you may also find helpful – Instagram Marketing and Business Tool Kit [accelerate your business revenue].

P.S: Ready to [unlock the power of digital marketing] and drive [your] business forward? – Access my forum today

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