Making The Most Of Instagram Search: 5 Tips For Optimizing Your Content And Profile

Introducing Instagram Search (Your New BFF)

There’s a new way to search for content on Instagram. It’s called Instagram Search and I’m loving it! 🤩

You’ve always been able to look for content on Instagram. But, before the launch of Instagram Search, your search was limited to hashtags, account names and locations. NOW you can search using keywords like you would in Google.

What does this mean? Well, for starters it means you don’t have to play pin-the-hashtag-on-the-content to find what you’re looking for. By using keywords (aka. search terms) Instagram Search will sort through millions of accounts and posts to help you browse your interests. Whether it’s nail art or home office organization tips, Search is a place for discovery and inspiration. Here’s how it works 👇🏻

How Does Instagram Search Rank Content? 

When it comes to sorting content with Search, it’s all about those keywords! But with millions of posts going up daily, how does Instagram decide which content to include in your search results? 

Instagram Search looks for keywords in a few different places when it gathers results for your search including: 

• Usernames
• Bios
• Captions
• Hashtags

The search term you enter in the search bar is the most important element of a Search. Instagram tries to match what you type with relevant usernames, bios, captions, hashtags and places. But, that’s not all! Search also prioritizes content you engage with (aka. accounts and hashtags you follow) AND the popularity of any given post that’s a match for your search terms. 

So Search results = the information of the content + your activity + the popularity of the content.

Instagram tailors your results to your user history. So, two people could type in the same search terms and get a very different set of Search results! Very cool. 

5 Tips To Optimize Your Content And Profile For Instagram Search 

The ability to search for keywords is AMAZING. And, to make the most of it, you’ll want to make sure you have your keywords in all the right places. It’s like when you optimize your website for SEO… but for Instagram! Here are some tips to help your content get found in an Instagram Search. 

1️. Decide on your keywords. Figure out what keywords (or search terms) your audience is using to find content like yours. This is SUPER important.  Think about what your main topics are, do a little research and get clear on your strategy. 

2️. Update your bio. Make sure it tells people what you do and how you help them. Include keywords (but not necessarily hashtags). 

3️. Include keywords in your profile name. Did you know that Instagram removed the 30-character limit of your profile name? Heck yes they did! Help your account get found by including strategic keywords along with your name and/or business name.

4. Use relevant keywords in your hashtags. Yes — hashtags are still important! As we saw above ☝🏼Instagram Search includes keywords found in hashtags when it’s pulling together results for your search. (Not sure which hashtags to use? I’ve got you covered. Check out this recent blog post for some 🔥 hot hashtag tips!) 

5. Optimize your captions. Optimize is fancy SEO-speak for including strategic keywords in your content. Make sure the subject of your post is clear, include variations of the keywords that match the subject of the post and remember to keep it natural.

An Important Tip About Hashtags

Instagram uses your hashtags to see what the content is about. Here’s the catch though, Instagram can only read your hashtags if they’re in the caption. To make sure your hashtags help your content rank in an Instagram Search,  don’t post y our hashtags in the comments!  

Make The Most Of Instagram’s New Search Capabilities And Get Found More Often (And More Easily!)

 Making sure your content gets found is an important part of any social media strategy. With Instagram Search, your chances just got a lot better! Hashtags are definitely still an important way to categorize your content—so don’t slack on your hashtag strategy! But the ability for potential clients to find you as a result of a keyword search means optimizing your profile and captions is a MUST.

 I love the new search capabilities — what about you? If you’ve got questions about Instagram Search, how it works or how you can make the most of it, leave me a comment or follow along on social @socialkatmedia 👋🏻