3 ways to easily implement Google SEO for Instagram

Especially if you’re a writer

6 min readDec 17, 2020

How many of you are using Instagram or multiple social media sites to promote your writing? Maybe you’ve been on the fence about setting up a website, but If you’re reading this on Medium chances are that you’re already comfortable using a variety of platforms to consume or create content.

Instagram is an extremely active social network, with more than 1 billion active monthly users* it can present it’s own challenges to break through the noise and have your potential readers find you. This is where SEO comes in. If you are not familiar with SEO:

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It’s the practice of increasing both the quality and quantity of website traffic, as well as exposure to your brand, through non-paid (also known as “organic”) search engine results.*

SEO for Instagram should probably be referred to as simply Instagram Optimization. Optimizing your page to grow your reach and exposure to your brand.

So just how do I go about optimizing my Instagram as a writer?

1. #Hashtags:

Using hashtags makes your content more discoverable

Some of the most popular* instagram writers hashtags include:

#writers #writersofinstagram #poetry #writerscommunity #writing #writer #writingcommunity #love #writersofig #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #quotes #poems #poem #poet #words #poets #writerslife #wordporn #instagram #author #art #books #life #lovequotes #write #writings #poetsofig #bookstagram

Keep in mind if you’re trying to grow your audience in a specific niche you’ll want to use an appropriate hashtag, for example, #fantasy #fiction.

2. Username

Tailor your username to be searchable and distinctive to your brand. If your an author using your name, or pen name is a great option. A publication name or brand name also works well. The main point is to make sure that you are easily found by your target audience with a relevant username that fits your brand.

3. Built-in Tools

Instagram has some options for improving searchability built in that not many people take advantage of. One of these tools is the use of “Alt Text”

The Alt Text option is part of an accessibility feature designed to allow visually impaired people to enjoy content on the platform. It is the description that identifies the content of an image and lets screen readers describe the photo to visually impaired or blind users.

When editing one of your photos on Instagram, choose the “Edit Alt Text” option to enter in the description of your photo.

Image credit — Author

Using this feature serves it’s originally intended purpose as an accessibility feature while increasing the searchability of your photo by web browsers.

Pro-tip:

The Alt text option is available when adding photos here on Medium as well:

Alt Text example on Medium

Final thoughts

I’m a firm believer in owning your domain. Every writer should have a dedicated website to either share their work, grow an email list, promote their book, sell their Merch, etc. A digital creative home is a must.

Maintaining control of your creative work is crucial to ensuring that you are paid what you are worth. Of course, you should leverage the most relevant platforms available to you to help spread the word about your creation(s). You’ve got to build up traction with an audience somewhere. The key is to treat all of those other platforms as secondary to your digital home. Your website where your content is king.

Every creative should have a website

Your content is king

Content creation at its core is identifying a topic you want to write about, record, paint, film, etc. Decide which form you want your content to take, formalize your strategy, and then actually taking action to produce and share it.

You want your content to be seen, consumed, and enjoyed. Implementing even a basic SEO strategy into promoting your content when shared on Instagram and other platforms could be the differentiator you’ve been looking for to grow your readers, followers, and true fans.

Learn more about my creative journey here. ←

You can also check out what I’m up to at Clareifi Media by visiting clareifi.com

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Sources:

Statista.com — Instagram: distribution of global audiences 2020, by age group — Published by J. Clement, Jul 24, 2020

Moz.com — why-search-engine-marketing-is-necessary

Hashtags for #writers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumbl