Google is no longer the only place your target audience finds you. Research shows that over 40% of Gen Z now use Instagram and TikTok as their primary search tools, and nearly one in four people of all ages turn to social media for online searches. These data show the importance of optimizing the social media profiles of businesses and individuals.
SEO optimized social media profiles have the potential to rank in Google if they provide consistent and credible information to the audience. Social media like Instagram and TikTok are not only a platform for entertainment and fun, but they are also influencing the purchasing decisions of the younger generation. In this blog, we will explore the importance of social media search optimization in TikTok and Instagram for brands and businesses.
What is social SEO?
Social media SEO is the optimization technique used in social media profiles for improving the discoverability of your brand. Suppose you want to know the best restaurants in Dubai. You can search for it on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok to find recommendations.
People use the social media search bar to get information about different products and services. So, social SEO helps in:
- Enhance the online visibility of your brand on Google with your social media profiles.
- Increase your website traffic by directing social media users to your website by strategically placing links.
- Improve the chance of turning viewers into customers.
Instagram SEO
Instagram, a popular social media platform, has more than 2 billion active users. The young generations are not only scrolling through the feeds but also looking for brands, products, and services. Factors such as search query, content relevance, and user activity affect Instagram search ranking.
So, for increasing the visibility and followers of the Instagram profile of your business, you have to optimize content for Instagram.
- Research keywords and naturally include them in the captions.
- Use trending niche-specific hashtags for the posts.
- Add descriptive alt text for images to increase accessibility and discoverability.
- Encourage the audience to share and comment on your content to increase the engagement signals.
TikTok SEO
TikTok is also another leading social media platform among young users. Also, TikTok content optimizations work well when you provide entertaining and relevant content. To succeed with TikTok SEO, implement these steps:
- Use the target keywords in the voice and also in the captions
- Strategically combine broad hashtags and niche-specific ones targeting your audience.
- Upload high-quality videos and use engaging visuals to grab the attention of the viewers.
- Posting content consistently is important to become visible in the TikTok search algorithm.
Video SEO Strategies for Both Platforms
The major content type on both TikTok and Instagram is short videos. So, for optimizing videos for search algorithms, implementing the following steps would be helpful.
- Keyword integration: Use the target keywords in the title, captions, and the on-screen text.
- Thumbnails: Always include attention-grabbing thumbnails to get clicks from the search results.
- Hooks: The start of the video must be interesting so that the users won’t scroll past your content.
- Engaging: Deliver your content clearly and connect with the users.
- Call-to-Action: Encourage your audience on Instagram and TikTok to like, share, and follow your content.
How Social Media Search Optimization helps in marketing
Social media search is becoming common now. People find and trust businesses and brands through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. A social media marketing agency providing social media marketing services can help brands to
- Identify keywords
- Analyse social media search trends and adjust marketing strategies
- Align brand content with the search intent of the users
- Optimize business profile for the platform and Google
Here is how social SEO creates a marketing impact
Increases brand visibility across multiple platforms
When your Instagram or TikTok accounts are optimised with relevant keywords, hashtags, and relevant alt text, your content will become more visible in those platforms and also in Google. It becomes easy to reach the targeted audience through these platforms.
Drives targeted traffic
Social SEO helps you connect and communicate with the audience who is actively searching for your products and services. For example, a fitness coach using TikTok hashtag optimization, #FullBodyWorkout, can reach users who are actively looking for workout ideas.
Builds brand authority
If your brand is showing up consistently on the search results of social media platforms, then it improves the credibility and authority of your organization. If a restaurant shares location-based reels with captions with proper strategies, then its Instagram content discoverability will be high.
Aligns with the modern search trends
As most of the young generation is using Instagram and TikTok to search for products, social SEO ensures that you can reach your right audience with consistent efforts.
Tips for Social SEO Success
- Keep your information accurate and keyword-rich.
- Analyse the performance metrics of Instagram and TikTok profiles and plan content strategy accordingly.
- Create content on trending topics
- Post engaging content consistently on Instagram and TikTok.
- Stay updated about the algorithm changes on social media platforms.
Conclusion
Beyond entertainment and fun, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be used for growing your business and brands. Many people are using it to find products and services they need through these platforms. By knowing more about social SEO, brands can increase their online visibility on Instagram and TikTok. You can partner with a reliable social media marketing agency for optimising your social media business profile.
