Can You Google That? How to Use Keywords to Boost Your Instagram SEO
If it feels like your Instagram captions, comments, and even on-screen text have been coasting on aesthetic only, it might be time for a tune-up. With Instagram’s latest SEO update (yep, it’s a thing now), your business is even more discoverable based on the keywords and phrases you use — and not just in your bio. We’re talking captions, comments, text overlays…the works.
The headline here? Instagram is officially playing in Google’s sandbox. And that means if you’re not intentionally sprinkling searchable phrases into your content, you’re missing a major visibility boost.
Why Keywords Matter More Than Ever
Instagram and Google have joined forces in a way that means your posts could pop up for search terms outside of the platform. If someone types something like “best skincare routine for dry skin” into Google, Instagram might now serve up a relevant post directly in search results.
And you don’t have to be a mega influencer to play — you just have to be strategic.
How to Find the Right Keywords for Your Biz
Think about what someone might “Google” if they were looking for a business like yours. The key is to brainstorm without overthinking (no one’s handing out trophies for the fanciest keywords). For example, if we were doing this for Amplify, our keyword list might include:
Social media for small businesses
Social media podcast
Optimizing social media for small businesses
Social media agency
Once you have your list, you can start slipping them into:
Captions
Comments (especially your own replies!)
On-screen text in Reels
Alt text for images
Make It Easy on Yourself
Here’s your new content hack: keep a running list of keywords and phrases in your Notes app or Google Doc. That way, when you’re writing a caption, you can plug them in instead of trying to think of something clever and SEO-friendly on the spot.
And don’t worry — this isn’t about making your captions robotic or keyword-stuffed. You can still write like a human (please do). Just weave these phrases in naturally where they fit.
The Bottom Line
Instagram SEO is here to stay, and the sooner you start speaking the search engine’s language, the faster you’ll get found by the people who are already looking for you. Think of it like putting a neon sign over your content — except the lightbulbs are words.
