Instagram SEO: Get Found in Search

People no longer use Instagram only to follow friends. They also search it: “bridal makeup artist in Salem,” “best biryani near me,” “home tutor Chennai.” If your profile does not use the words people search, you will not show up, however good your photos are.

This is Instagram SEO. Instagram does not publish a full list of ranking rules, so treat the points below as best practice and test what works for you.

Step 1: Choose a searchable name and username

The Name field (not the username) is the most useful place for keywords. Instead of “Sri Lakshmi,” use:

Sri Lakshmi | Bridal Makeup Salem

Keep the username simple and consistent with your other platforms so people can recognise you.

Step 2: Write a bio that says what, where and for whom

You have a few lines, so be specific:

What you do.
Where you do it (town and district).
A reason to choose you.
A clear action (“WhatsApp to book”).

Example: “Bridal & party makeup in Salem. Home service available. WhatsApp to book 👇”

Avoid stuffing. A bio full of keywords with no sentences looks like spam.

Step 3: Write captions in natural language

Put the key phrase in the first line of the caption, and write the way a customer would search:

“Looking for HD bridal makeup in Salem? Here is a look from last weekend’s wedding.”

Mention the product, service and place naturally. Instagram reads text to understand what a post is about.

Step 4: Add alt text to your images

Open Advanced settings when posting and add a short description of the image:

“Bride in red silk saree with temple jewellery, makeup by Sri Lakshmi Bridal Studio, Salem”

It helps accessibility first and gives extra context about the content.

Step 5: Use a few relevant hashtags, not thirty

Hashtags still help a little with grouping content, but dozens of generic ones look spammy and rarely help. Use three to five specific tags: a service tag, a place tag and perhaps a niche one.

Step 6: Add location and category

Tag your location on every post and Reel, and choose a clear business category on your profile. Both help local discovery.

Step 7: Post what people search for

Look at what your customers ask you on WhatsApp. Those questions are search queries. Make posts that answer them:

“How much does X cost?”
“Which is better, A or B?”
“How long does it take?”

Content that answers a real question gets saved and shared, and engagement signals matter too.

Step 8: Keep your profile active and consistent

Post regularly and stay on topic. A profile that covers one subject with the same words used repeatedly is easier to understand than one that posts everything.

Connect it to your website

Link your website or WhatsApp in your bio, and mention your Instagram on your Google Business Profile. Consistent links help people (and search tools) see that the accounts belong together. For more on formats and planning, read our Instagram marketing guide.

Quick checklist

☐ Keyword in Name field
☐ Bio states what and where
☐ Key phrase in the first caption line
☐ Alt text on images
☐ 3 to 5 specific hashtags
☐ Location tagged
☐ Posts answer real customer questions

Need help?

We manage Instagram profiles for local businesses. See our social media services.

Instagram SEO: How to Get Found in Instagram Search