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2024 Instagram SEO Strategy Guide
Instagram has become the third-most used social media platform with over 2 million monthly active users, behind Facebook and YouTube. Instagram’s dominance has been solidified, especially with Meta merging Facebook, Instagram, and more recently Threads.
As users flock to Instagram for inspiration, ideas, and tutorials… the search engine constantly collects data to position content aligned with user interests. As a business, there are ample opportunities to utilize SEO strategies within your content to increase the visibility and rankings of your content.
This article will break down Instagram SEO. Discover ways to optimize your SEO strategy on Instagram in 2024, and how Metricool can help your brand grow on the platform and beyond.
What Is Instagram SEO?
Instagram SEO is the process of optimizing your content and profile to rank higher in Instagram’s search results and reach your target audience more effectively. While SEO principles can be applied across social media platforms, each network has its own unique algorithm and set of rules.
The goal of Instagram SEO is to ensure your content appears at the top of relevant searches on the platform. Just like traditional search engine optimization. When users search for a specific question, topic, or issue, the top-ranking content is more likely to receive interactions and engagement
Instagram SEO Strategies for 2024
Boosting your content’s visibility and reach on Instagram in 2024 is all about optimizing your profile, posts, and overall strategy. By implementing these SEO tips and strategies right away, you’ll start seeing results in no time.
The key is to connect with more of your target audience and grow your following on the platform. So, if you’re looking to expand your reach on Instagram this year, here are some actionable steps you can take.
Optimize your Instagram profile
Your Instagram profile is the face of your brand on the platform, much like your website is on Google.
To optimize it for SEO, start by including relevant keywords in your username and bio. These keywords should be consistent across all your brand’s social media profiles.
When crafting your bio, sprinkle in primary and secondary keywords that support what your business offers. Use this space to concisely describe your brand, products, and target audience. Make sure your profile photo is clear, optimized for small screens, and visually consistent with your brand identity.
Don’t forget to add a link to your website or online store. Tools like Metricool’s SmartLinks allow you to add multiple links to a single page. You can customize the SmartLinks background, change themes and colors, and even include images. With SmartLinks, you can share a variety of content without worrying about Instagram’s one-link-in-bio limitation.
Utilize relevant keywords and hashtags
Leveraging the right keywords and hashtags is crucial for Instagram SEO. Start by understanding the terms, phrases, and hashtags that resonate with your target audience on the platform. Research high-performing keywords and incorporate them naturally into your captions, without overdoing it.
In addition to popular keywords, use a mix of niche and branded hashtags to reach more relevant users. Tools like Metricool can help you identify the most effective hashtags for your content. Continuously monitor the performance of your hashtag strategy and make adjustments as needed.
When it comes to finding the right Instagram keywords, there are several helpful tools at your disposal. Keyword.io and Semrush offer options to search for Instagram-specific keywords, while more general tools like Answer the Public and Google Trends can also provide valuable insights. Analyze metrics like monthly search volume, related keywords, trends, and competition to inform your keyword selection.
Enhance your content
Add alt text to Instagram posts
Adding alt text to your images serves two important purposes. First, it helps make your content accessible to users who may be visually impaired. Second, it provides context to Instagram’s algorithm, allowing it to better understand and categorize your visuals.
To optimize Instagram with alt text:
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner of a post containing an image.
- Select “Edit” from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down and click on “Edit Alt Text” in the bottom right corner.
- Provide a concise, descriptive caption for the image.
- Repeat this process for each image in your post.
Include captions and subtitles
In addition to ensuring your content is accessible to the Deaf community, many people view Instagram content in public settings or without sound. Adding captions and subtitles to your videos ensures your message is conveyed effectively, even when the audio is muted.
If you want to include captions on Instagram posts, follow these steps:
- When uploading a new video, go to the “Advanced Settings” section.
- Toggle on the “Show Captions” option to enable auto-captions.
- For existing videos, click the three dots in the top right corner of the post.
- Select “Manage Captions” from the dropdown menu.
- Turn on the captions feature and choose the appropriate language.
Leverage location tags
Incorporating location tags into your posts can help improve their visibility in relevant searches. This is especially useful for local businesses or content related to specific geographic areas.
Post at the best times
Timing is everything when it comes to Instagram success. To maximize the visibility and engagement of your content, it’s crucial to post at the optimal times for your audience.
Start by analyzing your followers’ activity patterns. You can access this data directly within your Instagram Insights:
- Click the three-line menu icon.
- Go to “Insights.”
- Select “Total Followers.”
This will show you the days and times when your audience is most active.
For a more detailed analysis, tools like Metricool can provide even deeper insights. Their calendar feature uses visual cues to indicate your best and worst posting times, based on the previous week’s data. You can even see the exact percentage of your followers who are online during each hour, allowing you to pinpoint the sweet spots.
Once you’ve identified the best posting times, experiment with your schedule and make adjustments as needed. Posting when your audience is most engaged increases the chances of your content receiving higher levels of interaction and visibility. And when your posts perform well, Instagram’s algorithm will prioritize them, further boosting their reach.
Metrics to Measure for Instagram SEO Efforts
By closely monitoring key performance indicators, you can gauge the effectiveness of your Instagram SEO efforts and make data-driven adjustments to your strategy.
To track the success of your Instagram SEO strategy, focus on the following key metrics:
- Reach: The number of unique accounts that have seen your content
- Impressions: The total number of times your content has been viewed
- Profile Visits: The number of users who have visited your Instagram profile
- Follower Growth: The rate at which you’re gaining new followers
- Engagement Rate: The percentage of your audience that interacts with your content
Instagram SEO with Metricool
Metricool is a powerful social media analytics and management platform that can greatly assist with your Instagram SEO efforts.
The tool offers a comprehensive suite of features to help you optimize your content, profile, and overall presence on the platform. From advanced hashtag research to competitor analysis and automated posting, Metricool provides the insights and functionality needed to elevate your Instagram SEO strategy and reach your target audience more effectively.
With Metricool, you get:
- Hashtag Research: Metricool’s Hashtag Generator helps you find the most relevant and high-performing hashtags for your content.
- Optimal Posting Times: The platform’s analytics dashboard identifies the best times and days to post for maximum visibility and engagement.
- Content Performance Tracking: Metricool provides in-depth insights into your top-performing posts, allowing you to refine your content strategy.
- Competitor Analysis: You can monitor your competitors’ Instagram activity and identify opportunities to outperform them.
- Automated Posting: Metricool’s scheduling and publishing tools ensure you can post at the optimal times without manual effort.
- SmartLinks: Create a customizable landing page hosting multiple links from your Instagram bio, expanding opportunities for driving traffic to your website, online store, or other channels.
- AI Social Media Assistant: Generate compelling copy catered to Instagram and your target audience.
Ready to Improve Your Instagram SEO?
Connect your Instagram account to Metricool and start creating and scheduling content, analyzing your metrics, and growing your brand.