Zero-Cost Online Marketing Guide: How to Maximize IG Exposure with SEO?

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, businesses today face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Have you ever wondered how to make your brand widely known in a short time—without spending a dime?

The answer lies within Instagram—a social media giant with over 1 billion active users worldwide!

Why Does SEO Matter for Instagram?

In today’s highly competitive social media landscape, Instagram is no longer just a platform for sharing photos and videos. It has evolved into a powerful online marketing tool, providing businesses with an ideal stage to expand their reach. However, as Instagram’s algorithm continues to evolve, relying solely on “posting + hashtags” is no longer sufficient. Businesses must also leverage SEO to increase the visibility of their IG accounts and content.



▲ In July 2025, Instagram officially announced that public posts from Professional Accounts (Business and Creator Accounts, users must be 18 or older) will be automatically indexed by Google and other search engines. This means that content from business accounts is no longer limited to exposure within Instagram—it now has the potential to reach a broader audience through Google and other search engines.

Okay! Since SEO is so crucial for Instagram management, how can we use it to boost the exposure of our IG accounts and content? Let’s hear from the experts at Arachne Group Limited, a well-known SEO company!

How to Maximize IG Exposure with SEO? 6 Low-Cost Must-Try Strategies!

Although Instagram is not inherently a search engine, certain SEO principles and techniques can still be applied to IG strategies. For example, most IG users rely on keywords or hashtags when searching. By using SEO methods to optimize your IG account, posts, and Reels, you can achieve better search engine visibility both on and off the platform.

Below, the SEO experts will break down the strategies into five core modules: keyword optimization, hashtag strategy, content optimization, engagement enhancement, and data analysis.

1. Keyword Optimization: Precise Targeting to Capture Search Traffic

Your bio acts as your brand’s “storefront” on Instagram. Although space is limited, it should clearly define your brand, its origin, and its unique selling points. Incorporate relevant keywords related to your brand and business. For example, if you’re in the jewelry industry, include terms like “gold jewelry,” “handmade necklaces,” or “custom jewelry” to cover a wider range of search scenarios.

In addition to your bio, naturally integrate keywords into your posts—mention them in the title, opening, and closing sections, while weaving related terms throughout the body. Avoid forced keyword stuffing. You can also reinforce keywords in the comments section. For instance, if a user asks, “What material is this necklace made of?”, respond with: “This 18K gold necklace is crafted with… technique.” This not only answers the question but also reinforces keyword relevance.

2. Hashtag Strategy: Expand Reach and Increase Content Visibility

A well-planned hashtag combination can drive significant traffic to your posts. We recommend using a mix of:

2 popular hashtags (e.g., #Jewelry) to attract initial traffic (though competition is high);

6 niche hashtags (e.g., #MinimalistJewelry) to accurately reach your target audience;

2 branded hashtags (e.g., #YourBrandOfficial) to strengthen brand recall.

If your content is location-specific, add a geotag to make it more discoverable.

⚠️ Avoid hashtag abuse: limit each post to 10 hashtags max, and only use relevant ones. Irrelevant tags may limit your reach.

To find the best hashtags, use:

Instagram’s built-in search: enter a keyword to see related hashtags, their search volume, and competition level.

Third-party tools like Hashtagify or RiteTag: analyze trending tags and select those with high relevance and medium-to-low competition to improve exposure.

3. Engagement Enhancement: Boost Account Authority and Recommendations

High engagement rates can improve your account’s ranking. Use call-to-action questions like, “Do you prefer gold or silver jewelry? Let me know in the comments!” to encourage interactions.

Reply to comments promptly to show approachability and customer care. If you’re short on time, use automation tools like SaleSmartly to set up keyword-triggered responses. Additionally, tag relevant accounts or collaborators in your posts to attract more followers and expand your influence.

While posting time has minimal impact on exposure, it’s still best to publish when your followers are most active. According to Sprout Social, optimal times are:

Monday: 11 AM

Tuesday–Wednesday: 10 AM – 1 PM

Thursday–Friday: 10 AM – 11 PM

Adjust based on your audience’s actual activity.

4. Content Optimization: Improve Quality to Win Search Visibility

Maintain a consistent visual style (e.g., color scheme, filters, fonts) to enhance brand recognition. Diversify your content formats—use images, carousels, and Reels (which receive the highest priority in terms of reach)—to cater to different user preferences.

Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC): invite users to share content related to your brand and tag your account. Reposting UGC can increase engagement and build trust.

Don’t overlook Alt Text: originally designed to assist visually impaired users, it’s also used by Instagram’s algorithm to improve search ranking. Before posting, go to Advanced Settings → “Write Alt Text” and add accurate descriptions, e.g., “Handmade 18K gold necklace with blue sapphire.” Well-written Alt Text can improve your ranking on Instagram and may even help your images appear in Google Image Search, bringing additional traffic.

5. Data Analysis: Gain Insights and Continuously Refine Strategy

Instagram Insights provides valuable metrics to evaluate your account’s performance. Key indicators include:

Reach: number of unique accounts that saw your post

Engagement: number of accounts that liked, commented, or shared

Follower growth: sources of new followers (e.g., search, recommendations, hashtags)

Use these insights to adjust your keywords, hashtags, and posting schedule. For example, reuse high-performing keywords from engaging posts.

For deeper analysis, use external tools like SaleSmartly to track customer behavior, such as conversation volume initiated via Instagram. If your content is indexed by Google, use Google Search Console to monitor image search traffic and further optimize your strategy.

Advanced Strategy: Off-Platform Integration for a Holistic Marketing Ecosystem

To maximize the exposure of your IG account and posts, consider these advanced tactics:

Allow Search Engine Indexing:

Go to Account Settings → “Privacy and Security” → enable “Allow Search Engines to Index Your Account.” This helps your Instagram content appear in Google Search results, expanding your brand’s visibility.

Build External Backlinks:

Add links to your IG account on your brand’s official website, blog, or other social media platforms. External backlinks serve as “letters of recommendation,” signaling to search engines that your account is valuable and credible—which can improve your search ranking.

Engage with Trends:

Participate in Reels challenges or trending topics. Create relevant videos that align with your brand to leverage trend-driven traffic. Capitalizing on popular trends can quickly amplify your brand’s visibility.

In this era of online marketing full of opportunities and challenges, mastering Instagram SEO is like holding the key to brand success. By implementing precise keyword strategies, smart hashtag usage, high-quality content, active engagement, in-depth data analysis, and off-platform integration, you can achieve explosive brand growth—without a huge budget!