Let’s get practical. Here’s what you need to do to make your content searchable and rank-worthy.

1. Use Keywords in Captions

Think about what your ideal customer types into Google.

Examples:

• “Best natural skincare routine for sensitive skin”
• “Affordable branding tips for small businesses”
• “Wedding venues in Okanagan BC”

Use these keywords naturally in your captions, especially in the first 125 characters (before the “…more” cut-off).

Avoid vague captions like:

“So excited about this one! ”

Try instead:

“Planning your elopement in BC? Here’s a dreamy lakeside wedding setup in the Kootenays.”

2. Write Strong Alt Text

Instagram allows you to write alt text for your images manually. This is crucial for accessibility and now for SEO.

Instead of letting Instagram auto-generate it, write a short, keyword-rich sentence that clearly describes the image.

Examples:

• “Woman using minimalist skincare set with organic ingredients”
• “Entrepreneur working from home office with ergonomic setup”

This helps Google understand what your content is about — just like it would on a website.

3. Add Hashtags (But Not Just Any)

Hashtags still play a role, especially now that Instagram posts can appear in Google searches that match those tags.

Best practices:

• Use 5–15 relevant hashtags
• Mix niche, trending, and branded hashtags
• Avoid banned or overly generic tags like #love or #follow

Example:

#BCElopement #OkanaganWedding #PopUpWedding #BrideToBe2025

4. Make Sure You Have a Public, Business or Creator Account

Only public content from Business or Creator accounts is eligible to be indexed.

To check:

• Go to Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account
• Choose Business or Creator
• Ensure your profile is set to “Public”