How to Conduct a Successful Instagram SEO Audit

Intro

Picture this: you created amazing content for Instagram, but nobody seems to pay attention. No comments, likes, or a single response. Bummer, right?

This is where SEO comes in handy on Instagram.

It’s like magic dust for your posts—it helps them fly past the “recent” tab and reach people looking for them, inside and outside of Instagram.

This is why it’s important:

• Google really likes Instagram: Imagine sharing a picture on Instagram and then finding it on Google. People looking for the same content you posted might stumble upon your post. There they are, new fans from the internet.
• Instagram loves you back: Have you ever looked for certain foods or styles on Instagram? The search engine that comes with the app is good. You can become the app's favorite account if you do good SEO.

Your posts won't just get lost on Instagram if you use some SEO magic. They'll become the next big thing.

Because we all know…

Instagram SEO audit = Instagram glow-up

It helps you:

• Check out what works (yay!) and what doesn't (ugh). Stop leaving posts that don't answer!
• More people who are looking for great material will find you. Goodbye, dark realm!
• Post things that will get people to read them. Please give us more likes, comments, and shares.
• Allow brands to work together and make deals. Come on, sponsors!

It's your ticket to Instagram fame. Keep shining!

Now, this blog is your guide to conducting an Instagram SEO audit. Say goodbye to boring, old content that doesn’t create traction. This guide will help you understand Instagram’s algorithm, set audit goals, review profiles and content, and how you can run an audit. In addition, you can use social media management tools like su social. It allows you to effectively manage all your social media in one platform.

But before anything else, let us glimpse Instagram’s algorithm.

Shall we proceed?

Understanding Instagram’s algorithm

The popularity of Instagram grew at large because of its unique and enticing features, such as posting pictures, videos or reels created by modern video editor, stories, and even shops for businesses.

According to Statista, between 2024 and 2027, the number of Instagram users worldwide is expected to increase by 234.8 million, or 17.65%. The number of Instagram users is expected to hit a new high point of 1.6 billion in 2027 after growing for nine years.

Notably, the number of people using Instagram has steadily risen over the past few years.

With its increasing users and changing trends, the algorithm adjusts, too.

But what does an algorithm do?

An algorithm chooses what you see on Instagram:

• Popularity: Lots of likes, comments, and shares will move your post up in the feed.
• Content: Photos get less love than videos, reels, and stories.
• You and Them: Accounts you click on and like each other's posts appear more often.
• Freshness: New posts get ahead of the line, so write often!
• Bonus points: Extra points if you use hashtags, tag places, and try out new tools like Reels.

You can think of it as a popularity contest for information. It's easy to get ahead on Instagram. Post things people like, interact with your followers, and keep things interesting.

How these factors affect content visibility and engagement

Let's look at how these essential parts of Instagram's system affect how visible and engaging your content is:

Popularity

• Better engagement: More likes, comments, and shares tell the system that people like your content, which pushes it to the top of feeds.
• More exposure: More contact leads to even more exposure, which creates a positive feedback loop and increases reach.
• Problem: It can be hard to get that first interaction, especially for new accounts. To start the snowball effect, use cross-promotion and strategic involvement.

Content Type

• Different formats, different priorities: Instagram actively pushes videos, Reels, and Stories because users are more interested in them.
• Change up your strategy: Posting a variety of forms keeps people interested and takes into account what the algorithm likes.
• Do experiments and studies: Keep track of your audience's favorite formats and change your content to fit those formats.

Relationship

• Personalized feeds: Accounts you interact with often will show up more often in your feed, which helps you get to know them better.
• Engagement matters: Responding to comments, direct messages, and events you're a part of builds relationships worth keeping.
• Community power: Work with other relevant accounts to reach their community and get more people to see yours.

Freshness

• New is good: most recent posts are shown first, encouraging people to keep writing material.
• Keep things the same: Your viewers and the algorithm will remember you better if you post often.
• Plan and make a schedule: Use scheduling tools to keep up a regular writing schedule and avoid long gaps in content.

Bonus points

• Hashtag magic: Hashtags that are relevant and specific help people find your content when they look for it.
• Location leverage: Marking your location links you with people in your area and conversations that are relevant to you.
• Accept the new: Try new things like Reels and live videos that interest you, and the algorithm may reward you.

Don't forget that these things work together like a complicated dance. Improving your material and engagement in these areas works together to make you more visible and get more people to interact with you. Even someone with a logistics degree knows how important it is to strategize well.

If you can figure out how the system works, you'll be an Instagram star soon!

Setting audit goals

With the Gen Z audience taking on Instagram's trends, the platform created a survey about what topics mattered to them.

One of the topics that comes to light is food. According to the survey, Gen Zs are interested in trying new foods and ingredients. For example, 45% of Gen Zs say they want to eat vegan goods, and 42% say they want to try plant-based meat.

Things like this should be observed when creating an audit. You should know what posts are engaging and what can generate traction for your brand.

Your goals determine how well your audit works. So, let's make a list of your SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound):

Know your brand? Follower growth, impressions, and impact should all be tracked.

Get Engaged? Look at how well posts do, how many people comment, and how engaged people are in stories.

Site visitors? Watch how many people click on links and visit websites from Instagram.

Any conversions? Check out sales, click-through rates, and direct comments.

Compare yourself to the best Instagram users, learn from their wins, and set goals you can reach. Remember that clear goals lead to information that can be used and a successful SEO audit!

How to run a successful Instagram audit?

Doing an Instagram audit right takes more than a quick look at your page. Here is a complete guide to help you reach your goals and make the most of your account:

1. Audit your branding

What do you want people to think about when visiting your Instagram page? Look at your bio page first. Picture yourself as a first-time guest. In what places do you start looking? Usually, which links do you click on? You can get a sense of what the brand is for.

2. Edit your IG profile and bio

Everything you have marked is in your profile. People who go to your personal page first see your bio. Both your nickname and your name should match your brand. These areas are what Instagram will use to show search results.

It's now time for the bio part. Is it perfect? Do you have branded hashtags? If your company needs to be more well-known, try to be informative instead of simple. Why? What you write in your bio for social media is considered social media SEO.

3. Check your overall Instagram visuals

Take a look at your posts, personal pictures, and highlights. Do they always sound and feel the same way? Even though you don't have to use a grid, your personal page should look like it fits your brand.

4. Verify content quality and relevancy

Because Instagram is a visual platform, your content must be excellent and relevant. If your subtitles don't stand out, no one will read them. Also, you'll be taken off the list quickly if you don't post anything worthwhile.

5. Audit your Instagram engagement

Do you see a drop in engagement? It can be hard to grow your network and make more people aware of your brand if your posts don't get enough feedback.

Question things like:

• How do you interact with business posts? Do you follow the correct accounts?
• You can reply to both comments and direct messages.
• Can you talk about other accounts' posts on your blog and leave comments?
• Do you watch user-generated content if other people tag you in it?
• Are you tracking which of your fans are the most active?

When you follow this guide, you are one step ahead of achieving a more visible and engaging Instagram page.

Ramp up your Instagram SEO audit game with this guide

An audit doesn't mean the end of your Instagram trip; it just means the start of a strong plan. Setting clear goals, looking at your image and content, and being open to ongoing optimization are all things that will help your Instagram account shine.

Remember that consistency, engagement, and changes based on data are the keys to unlocking organic growth and making the desired effect. So, keep improving, changing, and trying new things. Each report shows how your account changes, growing your audience and becoming more successful. Dominate Instagram, and remember that your actions following the audit set the stage for magic to occur!