Instagram is a powerful tool for discovering new stuff! To stay ahead, expand your SEO approach to include this powerful platform. Here are six strategies to help you rank higher, increase views, and promote interaction.

Optimize Post Titles and Descriptions

Your post's headline and title are critical for Instagram discoverability. It must immediately capture the reader's attention while presenting the message clearly

• Avoid deceptive names, as they might increase bounce rates and lower your post's position

• Combine interest with accurate representation

• Use popular terms with relatable language to connect  Instagram's diverse audience

• Balance intrigue with accurate representation

• Use trending phrases with relatable language that resonates with Instagram’s varying audience

For example, with OrganicGrow Instead of a random title like “The Technology Behind AI,” you can try something more specific and enticing like “5 Emerging Trends in AI-Powered Content Creation” 

Craft Clickable Thumbnails

Thumbnails are just as important as titles for stopping endless scrolling. An optimized thumbnail provides a compelling visual preview and a reason to click on your post.

• The best thumbnails complement the title by realigning the content with a relevant keyword or phrase overlaid on an attention-grabbing scene. 

• Avoid generic or stock Images; instead, use authentic sneak peeks into the most engaging part of your content.
  
  
  

Be Thoughtful with Captions, Accessibility, Descriptions, and Hashtags

Your content should be accessible to the widest possible audience. Approximately 80% of Instagram users watch content without audio, so on-screen captions are essential. Closed captions also engage deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers and help your content be discovered through relevant keywords.

• When adding captions, incorporate high-value keywords and phrases related to your topic. 

• Ensure they align with your overall SEO strategy, but be flexible and adapt to trending keywords.

• Utilize hashtags strategically, but avoid overusing the same ones. Use relevant hashtags to drive traffic to appropriate posts, enhancing retention.

• Experiment with short, medium, and long-form descriptions. Expand on your post when you have supplementary information, and keep it short when the content speaks for itself.

Leverage Both Broad and Specific Keywords

An effective keyword strategy involves using a mix of broad, high-volume terms and specific, niche-relevant phrases. Tools like Google Trends and Instagram’s Creator Marketplace are excellent resources for understanding what the public is searching for.

For broad keywords, consider the general topics, products, or interests your target Instagram audience is searching for. However, don’t just stuff your posts with popular words. Include specific, long-tail keywords that directly relate to your niche and the particular post subject matter. These help you get discovered by users searching for something very specific that your content covers in-depth.

For example, if your post is about “Affordable Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin,” use broad keywords like “skincare,” “beauty,” “makeup,” and specific phrases like “acne skincare routine,” “drugstore acne products,” etc.

To Note:. Using too many broad keywords makes your content seem irrelevant for niche interests, while overloading on specific terms limits your potential audience.

Strategically incorporate your target keywords in spots like:

• Post titles/descriptions

• Closed captions

• Spoken dialogue/voice-over

• Overlay text or graphics
  
  A great place to start researching keywords is Instagram’s search. Start with a familiar phrase like ‘SEO tools…’ and see the list of proposed words. Those words are popular and should be included in your strategy if relevant.

Engage with Other Accounts Active in Your Niche

For Instagram’s SEO to correctly index your content and your profile, you need to be active in your niche, which means more than just posting content.

By commenting on content and befriending others in your space, you signal to the algorithm that you’re an active community member offering value beyond passive posting.

For example, if you post about tips to improve your content writing, don’t just wait for people to come to you. Dive into your community by searching similar keywords, e.g., ‘content writing.’ Find a recent post, engage authentically in the comment section, and signal to Instagram that not only are your posts related to content writing, but you are related to content writing. The result: your content will climb the SEO ladder.

Take an Analytical and Iterative Approach With Your Keywords 

Brands on Instagram have their unique trends, audience segments and preferences, and competitive landscape. What works well for one category may fall flat for another.

A data-driven approach to optimization is critical. Study the performance of top creators’ content in your niche. What keywords have they consistently adopted? Do you notice a change in engagement when certain keywords are used? Borrow the keywords they’re using successfully and experiment.

Our Caption Generator creates captions that are tailored to your content. It social media trends and high-value keywords to boost your posts’ visibility and engagement. Perfect for enhancing your social media strategy effortlessly!