Free SEO Tool Instagram Content Creators Use

Some influencers are lucky enough to find fame when their Instagram post falls into people’s laps thanks to the algorithm. Sure, you can go viral with a funny Instagram Reel or tearjerking anecdote. But luck isn’t always on the influencer’s side. You also have to actively optimize your profile to make sure you’re easily discoverable on the platform, especially on search. Using a free SEO tool Instagram creators also use is all it takes to do that.

Want to drive more people to your page and get more eyes on your content? Make sure you come out on top when people search for their favorite things on Instagram! Keep reading to discover free SEO tools that can enhance your performance on Search and catapult you to Instagram fame.

What Is Instagram SEO and Why Is It Important?

Instagram search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of inserting relevant keywords into your profile to appear in search results. The idea is to have plenty of the words your target audience might search on the platform on your page, boosting your visibility. It’s an underrated organic growth strategy that can make a world of difference for your online presence.

According to a Tech Crunch report, 40% of young internet users don’t use Google for their daily searches anymore. Instead, they use their favorite social media platforms, like Instagram. That means discoverability on Instagram isn’t limited only to what the algorithm gives people. Now, you can also fight for your chance to show up in the platform’s search results, too.

Think about it. Whenever you do a Google search, you click on the first couple of websites that appear in the results, right? It’s the exact same thing on Instagram. If your profile is listed first when people search for fashion tips or restaurants, they’ll likely visit your page.

There are many ways to incorporate Instagram SEO into your social media strategy to reach your target audience. These include:

• Incorporating relevant hashtags and niche keywords in your display name and bio.
• Writing descriptive captions that include commonly searched keywords for your posts.
• Adding alt text that includes your target keyword when posting photos and videos.

Consistently doing all of that with well-chosen SEO keywords pushes the algorithm to rank your profile higher on Instagram search. This immensely increases your page’s discoverability, leading to more followers and engagement.

5 Free Instagram SEO Tools To Boost Your Performance on Search

Not super confident in your SEO skills yet? Don’t worry. There are plenty of tools online that can help you find the most relevant keywords for optimizing your profile. The best part is that many of them are completely free to use! Here are five that can boost your position on Instagram search and pave your path to online success.

1. IG Search: A Free SEO Tool Instagram Has Directly on the Platform

Yup, you heard that right. You can totally use the search bar straight from the Instagram app as an SEO tool! It’s honestly one of the best Instagram keyword research tools out there.

All you have to do is type “#” and the first few letters of a topic you have in mind. The keywords that show up in the search results give you an insight into commonly searched queries and tending topics.

Let’s say you want to see trending keywords about makeup. When you type “#makeup” into the search box, you’ll immediately see suggestions like #makeupartist and #makeuplooks. This tells you right away that people love content showcasing glam looks and the work of makeup artist accounts. Create content around these topics and use those keywords in your caption (or even your bio!) to boost your SEO.

2. Hashtag Generators To Find Relevant Tags and Instagram Keywords

Another awesome tool you can use is hashtag generators. These generators give you a list of relevant hashtags you can use on your profile related to your niche topic. When your target market searches those tags, you stand a chance of showing up in the results!

The Path Social Hashtag Generator is a free tool that shows you trending tags according to your niche. It even gives you an overview of each hashtag’s analytics, allowing you to gauge whether you should use it.

To use the generator, just type your topic into the search bar. The website will then generate the top hashtags related to your topic. Copy and paste those SEO hashtags to your bio or caption, and you’ll have no trouble topping the search results.

3. Google Keyword Planner for Instagram Keyword Research

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that lets you see the world’s most popular search terms on Google. Most people use it for search ads on—you guessed it—the Google search engine. However, it can also give you great ideas for SEO keywords to use on social media platforms like Instagram. After all, search terms will trickle down to every platform if they’re that popular.

In the tool, look for the keywords related to your niche with the highest search volume. This tells you exactly what people are looking for. Shape your future Instagram content according to these search queries. And don’t forget to add those phrases to your Instagram bio, too!

You can also use Keyword Planner in conjunction with Google Trends, which shows you trending conversation topics online. Together, these Google tools can help you gauge the popularity of certain keywords and topics.

4. The Free Hootsuite SEO Caption-Writing Tool

When it comes to Instagram SEO, people focus mostly on optimizing their bio and display name. However, you can elevate your SEO strategy and knock out the competition by applying the principles of caption writing, too. Include the right terms and keywords in your caption, and it can push out your content on Instagram’s search results.

Having trouble incorporating SEO keywords and hashtags into your Instagram post caption? Check out Hootsuite’s free SEO caption-writing tool. You tell them your primary target keyword and tone of voice, and they’ll generate an SEO-optimized caption for your content. Awesome, right?

Here’s how to use the tool in a few easy steps:

1. Choose your “style” according to your brand personality and aesthetic.
2. Select a language. There are quite a few available, from English to Italian.
3. Add a description of what your post is about. Tell them if it’s an Instagram Reel or a photo collection. Give some context about it or share what you want your viewers to feel when they see it as well.
4. List down your target SEO keywords.
5. Finally, hit Generate caption and wait for your caption to materialize!

5. Answer the Public for Commonly-Searched Questions and Phrases

Answer the Public is a social listening tool specializing in questions surrounding certain topics. It extracts the most asked questions online to show you exactly what your target market is curious about.

On the website, you just have to input a specific topic or keyword. Then, the site will show you the most commonly searched queries related to it. All the results are in question form. That makes Answer the Public a fantastic source for long-tail keywords, which are perfect for longer captions and bios.

For example, if you search “dessert,” questions like “Where to eat dessert?” or “Which dessert is healthy?” might appear. This can inform your content ideas as well as how you write your captions to optimize them for search.

However, note that Answer the Public only allows each user three free searches per day. Any more than that, and you’ll need to invest in a paid subscription. So, use those free daily searches wisely!

More Tips To Boost Your SEO on Instagram

Of course, you can’t just rely on these free tools to boost your SEO scores on Instagram. You also gotta put in the work and make moves with your content strategy for it to all come together. Here are some extra tips for bringing your SEO strategy to life on the platform.

Create Content About Trending Topics

When you’re doing SEO, your instinct might be to include current trending topics in a post you’ve already prepared. But it’s just as important to go the other way around.

Research trending keywords and topics first, and then produce content around those cultural moments. This makes for more relevant and timely content that your target audience will find super interesting.

Use Niche Hashtags Instead of Generic Ones

It’s easy to insert broad terms like “fashion” and “travel” in your profile and bio. However, thousands of other influencers have the same words on their page, too. Stand out better with niche keywords and tags aligned with what makes your content unique. It’s an awesome, well-thought-out way to reach a more specific target audience on search.

For example, instead of “fashion,” include phrases like “capsule wardrobe” or “maximalist” instead. That way, people searching for posts about those specific branches of fashion will see your content.

Incorporate Your Keywords Seamlessly

Don’t just awkwardly stuff your bio or captions with a string of keywords related to your niche. It can make your page or post look spammy and off-putting. It instantly comes off as ingenuine, like your only goal is to top the search results instead of communicating clearly. That’s a huge no-no, especially because users gravitate to influencers who ooze authenticity.

Insert your keywords in a way that is natural, grammatically correct, and conversational. That way, you can write relevant, interesting copy on your Instagram page while simultaneously shining in the search results.

Don’t Be Afraid To Write Long-Form Captions

Everyone always says the more concise your caption, the better. But that isn’t always true. Creators shouldn’t shy away from telling a good story along with their posts, even if it means having longer captions.

Plus, it’s also a smart and strategic way to incorporate long-tail keywords seamlessly in your content to boost SEO. Think about it. It’s more natural to have a long keyword in question form in a post caption rather than a profile bio.

Combine SEO and Path Social’s Promotion Strategies for Optimal IG Growth!

There are many free SEO tools that can help you improve your standing on Instagram search. You just need to know where to look for them and be open to using them. With the right keywords and hashtags in your bio and captions, you’ll be well on your way to virality.

Want even more rapid growth? Pair your SEO efforts with Path Social! We use organic promotional strategies to drive even more people to your page. With our help, you’ll see a significant uptick in your follower count and engagement rates stat. Just check out what we’ve done for Pushing the Project, a page that earned 17,000 fans under our wing!

Remember—take advantage of every free SEO tool Instagram creators like you can use to optimize your profile for search. Play around with the in-app search bar. Experiment with different hashtag generators and caption-writing websites. Then, combine your efforts with a trusted service like Path Social for maximum growth. Get more Instagram followers today with Path Social!

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