If you’re an online small business or a digital entrepreneur, it’s likely that you’ve come across the acronym SEO a handful of times when discussing marketing strategies. Essentially, SEO (short for Search Engine Optimization) is a series of practices that can impact where your website ranks on Google for relevant keywords. When done right, SEO can generate massive results for reaching new audiences organically and most likely lead to sales. 

While many marketers are familiar with how to boost your website’s SEO using keywords and backlinks, it’s still a new concept when it comes to Instagram. That’s right, SEO is possible on Instagram! Much like Google and other search engines, social media users around the world (1.35 billion, to be more precise) are using Instagram to seek out information and products using keywords and keyphrases. So, if you want to capitalize on organic searches, an SEO strategy for Instagram might be exactly what your marketing plan is missing. 

So, how's it done? Here are five ways you can boost your SEO on Instagram.

Instagram SEO Tip 1: Keywords In Captions

This should come as no surprise, but keywording your captions is one of the most effective ways to boost your SEO. Yes, captions do matter, though we are guilty of loving an emoji-only caption, too. By adding important keywords and key phrases to your captions, you will let the algorithm know what your content is related to and thus show it to those looking for that topic. 

For example, we often use the keywords “stock video library” or “vertical video for social media” in our captions! To find out which keywords are the best to focus on, we recommend using Google Trends to get an idea of what people are looking for on Google. This is often a good indication of what people are searching on Instagram, too.

Instagram SEO Tip 2: Optimize Your Profile Name

If you’re familiar with traditional SEO, you may be aware that adding the most important keyword to your homepage’s title is essential in ranking high on Google. The same goes for your profile name! For example, we have the term “Vertical Video Library” in our profile name. 

Instagram SEO Tip 3: Bring Back The Hashtag

Keywords are important, but if you want to double down on discoverability we recommend revisiting the ol’ hashtag strategy. Hashtags are a controversial topic, as many people believe that no one clicks on the hashtags themselves to view content on the topic. However, having hashtags will in fact encourage the algorithm to place your content in front of the right people who are known to be interested in what you’re offering. 

Instagram SEO Tip 4: Add Alt Text To Photos 

This tip actually blew our mind when we found out about it!

Alt text on Instagram is a new and powerful feature that lets you craft custom descriptions for your photos, enhancing both accessibility and SEO. This means you can get really in depth with your key wording without impacting the flow and voice of your captions. While initially designed to improve platform accessibility, it can also significantly boost your search engine optimization efforts. 

Currently, Instagram automatically generates alt text for your photos, but you can also manually add them. To include alt text in your posts, navigate to Advanced Settings at the screen's bottom before posting, then tap Write Alt Text, input your description, and tap Done!

Instagram SEO Tip 5: Keep Your Content Consistent

Last but not least, maintaining consistency with your content is an essential strategy for increasing visibility on Instagram. By consistently implementing the best practices mentioned earlier, you help the algorithm understand your account's focus and content better every time you post. This consistent approach educates Instagram about your identity and offerings, resulting in your profile and posts being showcased to relevant users during their Instagram browsing experience.

Mastering SEO isn't just about conquering Google—it's about harnessing the full potential of every platform, especially Instagram.  From optimizing captions with keywords to leveraging hashtags and utilizing alt text for accessibility and SEO, each tip offers a new opportunity to get your brand in front of the right audience organically.