What is SEO?

SEO is the abbreviation of Search Engine Optimization which means it is the process of improving the quantity of website traffic to a website or a web page from search engines. This is an unpaid method, basically to show up in people’s searches.

What is discoverability?

Discoverability (noun): the ability of a product or service to be found by people who want it or might like it. (Macmillan Dictionary)

What is discoverability on Instagram?

Discoverability on Instagram means to be found by seekers. Being visible to potential followers or customers who are looking for services similar to those you provide.

In this blog, we will be giving you three quick tips on how to increase your discoverability on Instagram.

1- Optimizing your profile

2- Working on your captions

3- Treating hashtags like keywords

Let’s start.

Optimizing Your Profile

There are a couple of ways by which you can optimize your discoverability on Instagram, and one of the simplest ways is by simply including keywords on your profile. Instagram search results are based on an assortment of components: accounts you follow, posts you like, your location, and the component of mutual connections. Yet there’s one component that is commonly underestimated, and that is the usage of keywords. Let’s take Bobolink Creative Agency as an example. The searchable keyword here is “creative agency.” Users who are looking for creative and branding services would search “creative agency” to find convenient and relevant accounts of similar services.

1- Start by using the keyword in your Instagram handle (the @)

Use your business’ searchable keyword in your handle. Taking our example again, our handle is @bobolinkcreativeagency. A keyword is a tool used to optimize our discoverability by service seekers.

2- Proceed by using your keyword in your username

This hack is the most fruitful method. Instagram weighs the username more than anything else while filtering accounts in the search engine. Our Instagram username is Bobolink Creative Agency, so once someone with the mentioned conditions in the previous section searches “creative agency” our account will be displayed in the results.

3- Include your keyword in your bio

Yes, use three times, who’s stopping you? Use it three times for the sake of increasing your searchability. Our biography reads the following: “A Creative Agency for Modern Brands Catalyzing Creative Collaborations.”

Click here for more tips on how to write a good bio and feed.

Working On Your Captions

Hold on, yes we know captions will not have any effect on your presence in the search results. But who said search results are the only target you are supposed to work towards? Now you must start working towards the explore page. Instagram’s algorithm for the content on the explore page is based on a user's behavior.

Who do they follow? Who do they engage with? Who are the people in the liked posts? What hashtags are used in the posts they engage with? What are the posts about? As confirmed by Instagram, the explore page displays “the most relevant accounts based on individual interests.” Using informative and descriptive captions will do the job. How? This way Instagram algorithms will be able to filter what your account is about, so your posts can slowly start appearing on seekers’ explore pages.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Bobolink Creative Agency (@bobolinkcreativeagency)

Proceed with writing descriptive and informative captions.

Treating Hashtags Like Keywords

Time to make the most use of keywords, hashtag your keywords. Multiple keywords. If you have a modeling agency, first and foremost brand a hashtag, and then search within the niche of your industry for your hashtags. A couple of examples would be, #ModelingAgency #ModelingAgencyInMENA #MaleModelingAgency #ModelsAgency and so on. Hashtags are not only useful for discoverability, they also are a tool for community-building, sourcing user-generated content (UGC), running campaigns, researching your audience, and more.

Do not go crazy with your hashtags, they won’t increase relevant results. What will help is actually crafting your hashtags within your niche and expertise, this way you’ll appear where you are supposed to.

Now that you know how to increase your discoverability on Instagram, click here to learn the hacks for TikTok discoverability.

Don’t forget to read one of our previous blogs for more marketing tips on Instagram stories.