Instagram SEO is rapidly evolving, and a significant update is coming on July 10th.
Recently, social media managers and content creators received confirmation from Instagram about a major update.
Google and Microsoft Bing will begin showcasing public photos and videos from professional and creator accounts directly in their search results.
If your account is private, there’s no action required. .
However, if you have or plan to create a professional account, it’s essential to understand how this update can significantly enhance your online visibility.
Benefits of Instagram Posts Appearing on Google and Microsoft Bing
Instagram SEO substantially increases your visibility, enhancing both your digital marketing strategy and your online reputation management (ORM).
By optimizing your Instagram content, you can:
- Extend your brand’s exposure beyond Instagram.
- Strengthen your online reputation by strategically positioning positive content.
- Attract new audiences who discover your posts through search engines.
How to Check if Your Business Profile is Already Showing in Search Results
To ensure your Instagram profile is ready and visible in search engine results, follow these clear and simple steps:
Step 1:
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile page. In the top right corner of your profile, tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) to open the Settings and Activity menu.
Step 2:
Inside the settings menu, scroll down carefully until you find the section titled “Who can see your content,” and tap on “Account Privacy.”
Step 3:
In the “Account Privacy” section, toggle ON the option “Allow Public Photos and Videos to Appear in Search Engine Results.”
Enabling this ensures your posts are visible on Google and Microsoft Bing.
Your Instagram profile and content are now optimized and ready to reach broader audiences through search results on platforms like Google and Microsoft Bing!
How to Optimize Your Instagram: SEO Tips
With Instagram posts becoming like mini landing pages in search results, optimizing your content becomes crucial.
Here’s how you can achieve this:
1. Conduct Thorough Keyword Research
Instead of solely depending on hashtags, focus on identifying and integrating relevant keywords naturally into your captions.
Effective keyword usage helps Instagram and search engines understand your content clearly, making it more likely to appear in search queries.
2. Use Hashtags Strategically
Limit your hashtags to about 5-8 per post to maintain relevance without appearing spammy.
Choose hashtags that specifically relate to your content to improve discoverability.
3. Optimize Your Instagram Profile and Captions
Incorporate primary keywords directly into your Instagram username, display name, and bio.
These elements prominently appear in search results, significantly influencing your discoverability.
4. Utilize Alt Text Effectively
Instagram’s alt text feature enhances both accessibility and SEO.
Clearly describe your images while naturally integrating targeted keywords to improve indexing by search engines.
5. Include Captions and Subtitles in Videos and Reels
Adding subtitles boosts viewer engagement, especially for users watching without sound.
Additionally, subtitles offer another opportunity to naturally integrate essential keywords into your video content, aiding SEO.
Avoid These Common Instagram SEO Mistakes
- Excessive Hashtags: Overloading your posts with hashtags may lead Instagram to classify your content as spam.
- Keyword Stuffing: Using keywords unnaturally or excessively reduces readability and negatively impacts user experience, potentially decreasing your SEO effectiveness.
How Instagram SEO Affects Content Discovery
Instagram carefully tracks user interactions and browsing habits to deliver more personalized and relevant content recommendations.
When you engage with content on platforms like Google, YouTube, or even Pinterest, Instagram can interpret these interactions to tailor what you see within its own app.
For example, if you’ve recently searched for topics like “organic skincare,” Instagram might start showing you related posts, ads, or influencer profiles.
This creates a seamless connection between your browsing behavior across platforms.
To enhance content discovery, consider incorporating related secondary keywords such as:
- “content discovery strategies”
- “user behavior analytics”
- “personalized social media marketing”
Monitor and Analyze Your Instagram SEO Performance
Regularly leverage Instagram analytics along with external tools like Sprout Social, Buffer, or Later.
These platforms allow you to monitor engagement, evaluate the performance of your targeted keywords, and refine your strategies based on actionable insights.
Keep an Eye on Your Competitors
Observing your competitors’ strategies can give you valuable insights.
Note their keyword choices, hashtag practices, posting frequency, and audience engagement tactics.
Incorporate these insights thoughtfully into your own content strategy to enhance quality and stand out effectively.
Ready to Take Your Instagram SEO to the Next Level?
Instagram SEO offers you a powerful way to expand your brand’s visibility and reach potential customers who might not otherwise find you.
Now is the ideal moment to refine your content strategy and ensure you’re positioned effectively to benefit from this exciting update.
Don’t navigate this new terrain alone, connect with the experts at Expresso Company.
We’re excited to guide you through optimizing your Instagram presence, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve and achieve your business goals.