Attracting new followers is a top priority for every emerging brand on Instagram, but what if you're stuck in the process and your numbers simply aren't growing? One solution to growing your following on the social network is to ensure you're visible in search results. This article details tips and tricks on how to be more easily discovered in Instagram Search.
What is Instagram Search?
Search is part of the Explore tab, which you can access by tapping the magnifying mirror button at the bottom of the screen. The bar at the top helps you find new things to follow and lets you search across accounts, tags, and places.
According to Instagram, the search results you see are based on various factors, such as the accounts you follow, your interactions with them, and the photos and videos you like on Instagram. The social app uses its own algorithm working behind the scenes to bring you the most relevant and accurate results.
With that in mind, if you want to start using Instagram Search to your advantage to reach your target audience, focus on optimizing your Instagram profile in a way that helps you get discovered in Instagram searches more frequently. Here are some suggestions for where to start.
1. Use the relevant Instagram ID
Your Instagram handle (username) should always reflect your brand name. It would be completely pointless if your business is trying to sell juice, for example, under your personal name or something seemingly unrelated. Instead, a better option would be to use your brand name along with your specific business location or related keywords.
If you've already chosen your Instagram name, don't worry—you can change it easily. Check out our tutorial to learn how. How to change your Instagram username.
Having a relevant Instagram handle increases your chances of being discovered in search by people using broad keywords, to discover new, relevant businesses centered around their interests.
2. Add the correct keywords to your name field.
The name field in your profile is searchable, so you should optimize it by including keywords relevant to your brand. For example, if you sell organic cosmetics (skincare), you should include these two keywords in the name field of your profile. We've attached some relevant examples below.
Keep in mind that your Instagram name is not the same as your username (or handle). You can change it by going to your Instagram profile and tapping the button. "Release" directly below. From there, you can customize your name field. Note that you can also include hashtags and links.
The idea is to help new users find your page faster, and to achieve this, you'll need to use keywords that easily identify your brand. Make sure your description isn't too long, as the name field can only contain 30 characters.
3. Optimize your resume with hashtags and keywords.
Your bio appears when someone searches for a brand like yours, so it can help them decide whether or not to click on your profile. That's why you should make sure to customize this part of your profile accordingly.
In addition to keywords, you can also use hashtags (and links) here, which should ensure your profile shows up when someone searches for the relevant hashtag. You have 150 characters available to fill out your bio.
To make it easier for people to find you, we also suggest adding a business category so potential followers can quickly distinguish your brand from others with a similar naming scheme. You can do this by going to your profile and clicking the button. "Release". Scroll down until you find the section "Category" Click on it and select the appropriate location for you. Make sure to toggle the option “Show in profile” above.
4. Add relevant hashtags to your posts and stories.
Hashtags Hashtags are essential for making your Instagram posts and stories more searchable. When used correctly, they can build communities and attract like-minded individuals to your profile. Instagram users can search for hashtags in Search, and the results will appear in the top tap along with "Tags," doubling your chances of being discovered.
Brands can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but opinions on the optimal number of hashtags vary. Some advocate for more hashtags, while others consider a minimalist approach a more reliable indicator of self-categorization. Depending on your Instagram marketing goals, you can choose to use more or fewer. Just keep in mind that more doesn't necessarily translate to better.
Types of hashtags
- Branded Retail Marks – Branded hashtags highlight your business and help you build a community around it. This type of hashtag can be anything—the name of a product line, your business name, or a logo you've developed.
- Product and service retail tags – These hashtags should be used to target users who are searching for a specific type of product, such as #summerdress, #icecreamrolls, etc.
- Industry-Specific Retail Brands – They can be used to refer to your specific niche and should be narrower than the hashtags for your product or service. For example, #handmadecandles or #vegan.
- Campaign Hashtags – If you're running another ad campaign, adding hashtags to highlight that aspect is the smart thing to do.
- Popular hashtags – These are time-sensitive hashtags tied to current (seasonal) events or relevant trends, so using them can draw more attention to your posts. Examples include #sustainability, #BLM, and more.
Don't forget that you can add hashtags to your Stories, too. They can be curated and placed via a sticker or text, directly onto the Story. Instagram allows you to add up to 10 hashtags, although using them all can make your Story look cluttered. Despite this aspect, using hashtags in your Stories is a great way to increase your profile's visibility, so don't forget to sprinkle in a few.
5. Add a site tag to all your posts.
Adding location tags will make your posts easier to discover when people search for that specific location in the tab. "Places" In search. This is where they can discover content related to a specific location. Therefore, you'll improve your chances of getting more views by adding a location to all your posts.
While it used to be possible to discover stories by location tags, that no longer appears to be the case. You can still add a location to your stories, but it's unlikely to have much impact.
6. Post at the right time
While browsing my tabs "Places" Or Hashtags In search, users can easily navigate to the latest posts within these categories by switching to the tab. "Last". This is a great incentive to try to time your posts as much as possible.
Essentially, post when your audience is most active. To access this information, brands can check the Instagram Insights dashboard, which should show when their followers are most active. Alternatively, they can rely on relevant information from third partiesFor example, according to research conducted by SproutSocial The best times to post on Instagram for a global audience are Tuesday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CDT and Monday – Friday 11 a.m. CST.
7. Hop on the Reels train
Instagram allows users to browse Reels Reels are tagged with specific hashtags, which represents another great opportunity to get discovered. The social app has been heavily promoting its TikTok alternative in the past few months, so not sharing Reels means you could be missing out on a huge opportunity to grow your fan base.
As with regular posts, you can add keywords and hashtags to your Reel. Choose them carefully and make sure they accurately describe your post. Even if your brand isn't an obvious fit for Reels, you can still experiment. Focus on creating fun, original content that's short and snappy to encourage repeat views.
8. Get inspired by the competition.
Take a look at your competition and get some inspiration for your profile. For example, you can check out their top-performing posts and see what hashtags and keywords they use. Also, take a look at their bio to identify some things you can improve yours.
Furthermore, it might also be a good idea to start interacting with them, so don't be afraid to approach the competition in a friendly manner. This could lead to a series of collaborations later on, which is another great way to attract new followers to your page.
If you are having problems, quickly prepare for what to do if Instagram has stopped workingOn the other hand, if you're done with Instagram and want to start a new chapter in your online journey, read all about Delete or deactivate your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are some ways to make a great first impression when new potential followers visit my Instagram page?
answer. Your brand is a trademark, you should read this guide to learn about Use of “highlights” Highlights In your profile to help you stand out.
Q2. How can I link my Instagram and Facebook pages together for a more seamless experience?
answer. The two can be linked together via the Account Center. You can expedite this by reading our post that explains in detail. How to connect Instagram and Facebook.
Q3. How do I create a collaborative post on Instagram?
answer. Collaborations are always a good idea, especially if you represent a brand. Check out this post that explains it. How to create collaborative posts and Reels.
