SEO vs Hashtags – What Has Changed with the Algorithms

If you didn’t know, Instagram has recently switched to an SEO-driven algorithm from the hashtag-driven model we’ve previously known. How that works is that with the hashtag model we would attach tags to our posts and they would act as a filing system and would be targeted to people who also wanted/needed access to those files.

Now, with the SEO-driven model, the algorithm is operating off keywords and paying close attention to what users are searching for, liking, commenting on, and viewing over and over. All of this data acts as little, digital “spiders” that spread across the platform to connect users with content that interests them based on their user behavior. What this means for us is that we need to be considering our copy heavily and utilizing the keywords within our field of interest.

PS. This method is implemented into the Google search engine, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, so the following tips are safe to use across all of your social media platforms.

The first step is to find out what your industry keywords are.

We tend to be very close to our business and brand, so taking a step back and assessing someone else’s business can be helpful when it comes to research.

Take a look at other, successful accounts within your field and pay close attention to the words that they use. How do they describe their work and what they do? What words keep showing up in the comments? What specific words would you use to describe their work? This exercise will help you start compiling a list of key phrases to start implementing into your own account.

Next, you’ll want to strategically implement these keywords into your social media bios.

It’s important to note the keywords don’t act like hashtags, just throwing keywords strewn together into your bio won’t attract your audience. The wording you use within your bio has to make sense, connect with your audience, and encourage them to convert into a follower.

*Creating the perfect social media bio is something we can definitely work on during a marketing strategy session*

Lastly, I recommend that you create 4-5 CORE posts that strategically use those same keywords to live on your social account.

These posts should represent who you are, what you do, whom you serve, and what sets you apart from the rest. Ideally, you want keywords in the graphics as well as the captions, where it makes sense. Having these posts embedded into your account will drive traffic to your profile and attract those whose user behavior aligns with your brand.

If you found this information helpful and you want to learn more about how you can optimize your content creation and marketing strategy, click the link below to book a marketing strategy session with me today!

https://go.oncehub.com/iris-goldfeder-complimentary-discovery-call