INSTAGRAM SEO

With Instagram SEO (Search Engine Optimization), we refer to the set of optimization techniques that can be applied to the search engines of a social platform like Instagram.

Instagram, like other platforms, has an algorithm capable of reading and evaluating a profile and all the published content.

In this article, I will explain some of these SEO techniques for Instagram, focusing on best practices that don’t require specific technical knowledge but are crucial to starting on the right foot in increasing your followers.

I have identified 8 SEO techniques to apply on Instagram that help you take the first steps and optimize your profile.

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The 8 best techniques to grow on Instagram SEO

Instagram SEO techniques can help you optimize your profile, increase your visibility, and grow the number of followers. Here’s a selection of the best tricks to position yourself well on Instagram.

Optimize your profile, bio, and username

Instagram SEO is crucial to increase the engagement of your profile, the showcase that allows you to make yourself known and that, thanks to optimization techniques, will help you get more quality traffic.

To optimize your Instagram profile, you need to pay particular attention to certain aspects following the rules I explain below.

• Use a username that defines your brand. It’s important not to use punctuation, making it easier for both new users and Instagram’s search engine to understand what you do. Also, when applicable, always activate the “verified” icon; this means your profile is the official one representing the person or brand. If you want to know how to get the Instagram blue checkmark, read this article.
• Use a high-quality profile image that clearly shows the chosen logo or photo.
• In the bio, use your full name or a short and easily memorable nickname, fill in all the fields (location, email for info, contacts), and include links to your website with a call to action.
• Use relevant keywords in the description, appropriate for your brand, choose whether and which emojis to use, and always post relevant content.

Here’s an example

Once you’ve created your profile and used Instagram SEO techniques, you’ll need to identify your primary keyword that represents your business and profile and associate it with your @username.

For example, if your business is a restaurant and your username and business name are “rock”, you could use the term “restaurant” as your primary keyword, resulting in restaurant_rock.

This will make it easier for people to find your profile by narrowing down the search field. The secondary keywords will then stem from your primary keyword, defining a subtopic by adding a term before or after it.

Using our example, a secondary keyword could be “seafood restaurant”; once created, associate it with your bio and content tags.

Be careful not to confuse secondary keywords with related terms that can be considered synonyms for the primary keyword and serve to enrich the semantic field, such as “fresh fish” or “seafood dishes”.

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Use hashtags as keywords

Remember to use hashtags as you would with keywords for a search engine, conducting an SEO analysis of hashtags.

When users have a specific interest, they won’t search directly in accounts but will conduct searches using hashtags. If you want to do effective Instagram SEO, you need to identify keywords that help you position yourself.

This should be done not only in your profile’s bio but also in every single post, just as it is done for each article in the case of a blog.

Each post must have its own hashtag strategy to increase the chances of attracting the right audience.

It is important to remember not to fall into the trap of hashtag stuffing, filling your post with unnecessary hashtags, which may risk being perceived as spam by the search engine.

It’s better to use a few, but relevant hashtags, especially ones in line with your target audience.

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Use alternative text

In addition to optimizing your Instagram profile and using hashtags, other strategies can help increase visibility on Instagram.

One of these is the use of alternative text, which allows you to add a description to images. Why is Alt text important on Instagram SEO?

By applying it, you enable search engines like Google to scan and identify the image you have posted, making it appear in search results. Also, the ALT attribute will help position the post better within Instagram’s algorithm.

To add alternative text, follow these steps: Before publishing, select “advanced settings”, then select “write the alternative text” to add the description.

If Alt text on Instagram is not added, the platform will automatically skip the alternative text options.

Use titles for images

Just like with blog articles, titles are relevant on Instagram SEO. Therefore, using image titles will not only help capture the attention of followers and users but also appear in search results.

Remember to choose tags that are catchy and capture attention.

When you post a photo or a story on Instagram, a page is created for that post, which will include the name and title of the publication and will be submitted to the search engine.

Interpret the title as if it were a sign that highlights the image.

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Activate geotagging

When a user searches on Instagram, the search engine will prioritize results that are geographically close.

To optimize your posts for Instagram SEO, remember to activate the geotagging function to show your Instagram followers the places you visit or where your business is located, linking them to a map.

To do this, ensure that your smartphone GPS is active, or simply remember to add the geolocation tag before publishing your post. Specifically, follow these steps:

• On your profile, find and click on the photo to which you want to add the geotag.
• In the top right, click on the three dots and select “Edit” under your Instagram username.
• Select “Add Location”.
• Search for your place of interest or, if available, select it from the list suggested by Instagram.

Be careful not to use overly generic geotags: the more precise, the higher the chances of being found by users nearby.

Get tagged and mentioned

What is one of the most important SEO techniques that all SEO specialists pay attention to? Backlinks from other authoritative sites to your site’s pages.

Similarly, on Instagram, Tags and Mentions function like backlinks.

The essence of social media, the reason they exist, is sociality, i.e., promoting interaction and sharing among people.

Being tagged and mentioned represents, like backlinks, a recognition of the value and quality of content; the Instagram algorithm rewards it by increasing your chances of reaching more users.

But how to get tagged and mentioned? First of all, always aim for the quality of content and ensure it is interesting to your target audience.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to take the first step: follow accounts similar to yours or those involved in activities related to yours, and be the first to comment, like, and share.

Another good practice is to organize challenges, giveaways, and Instagram contests. However, be careful to do it appropriately and in compliance with regulations.

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Avoid black hat Instagram SEO techniques

Unlike Instagram SEO techniques, black hat SEO refers to those unethical techniques used to improve visibility on the platform, resulting in a shadowban.

Instagram applies the so-called shadowban to all accounts attempting to deceive the social network through black hat SEO, along with other improper practices, making them invisible to other Instagram users.

Two examples of practices to avoid penalties in terms of SEO for Instagram: copying and pasting content or using spam techniques with keywords.

Analyze the results

As with all other Digital Marketing actions, the rule is the same: make a hypothesis, test it, make sure to track the results, analyze them, and apply corrective actions. This also applies to Instagram SEO.

Make sure to have a professional Instagram account to access profile and post insights, as well as data to evaluate profile visits, posts with more interactions, mentions received, and much more.

Be consistent in data analysis as well as content publication: this way, you can quickly understand what works and what doesn’t and optimize accordingly.

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