Instagram is one of the most used social media apps today, so it’s no wonder that businesses and influencers try to find new ways to get more views and followers. Having a strong Instagram business account can come with serious perks, like bigger sales and increasing the traffic to your website. But have you ever thought about using SEO on Instagram?
Search engine optimization has been around almost as long as Google, but few social media marketers are using it in their own field. Making your social accounts rank no #1 in SERP is one thing, but using SEO techniques to boost a social account inside a platform is a relatively new concept. That is why Instagram is the perfect playing ground!
You can use SEO on Instagram in a number of ways: to boost account visibility in the internal search, to make it stand out in hashtag threads and ultimately to boost engagement rates. Well-optimized Instagram accounts will also get better trust scores.
So, for today I thought about a few tips that might help you optimize your business Instagram account and how to implement them with or without an in-house specialist.
Here are 5 tips for instagram optimization:
- Keywords in bio and captions
- Correct use of hashtags
- Have a searchable username
- Activating alt text
- Using locations
1. Keywords in bio and captions
The basis of any Instagram SEO strategy is keywords. So you should start by making a list of the keywords your brand is most associated with on the platform, and use them in the bio and in post captions. But don’t overdo it! Keyword stuffing is considered a bad practice everywhere, not just on Google.
2. Correct use of hashtags
There are tons of articles about finding the correct hashtags for your posts, so I will keep it short: research and relevancy.
Take the time to base your Instagram optimization strategy on relevant keywords for your brand. Research what keywords, from the list you already have, fit here as well – since keywords can become powerful hashtags as well. You can also check the competition and see what they use.
Be aware of trends and news, and jump on those high value hashtags, only if they are relevant to your brand.
3. Have a searchable username
This one seems like a no-brainer for those who are already used with search engine optimizations tips and techniques. But having a brand name or business name that is easily searchable will definitely bring results. Think short, distinctive usernames, without irrelevant lines or symbols. Also, choose a username that is in the language of your audience.
4. Activating alt text
Also borrowed from SEO is using alt text for your images. You can activate this by scrolling to Advanced Settings and choosing “Write Alt Text”. After activation, you will be able to add a clear description to the image you’re posting. This way, next time somebody searches for a specific thing (for example the characteristics of your product) your post will be in there.
5. Using locations
The last tip on my list is regarding location. Depending on the business you have or the project you are developing, you might have a couple of locations to choose from.
For entrepreneurs with no fixed office space this can be as easy as switching coffee shops or coworking spaces.
If you own more brick and mortar locations, use this to your advantage and post from a different one each time. This way you are promoting all of them equally.
In the end, even if Instagram is changing (maybe we are saying goodbye to targeting likes for good), the social platform will only grow and get bigger in the years to come. So, for your business account to still be visible, you have to adapt and think outside the box. And applying search engine optimization techniques might just give your brand the edge it needs.
