How Instagram Ranks Your Search Results
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, recently revealed how search works on IG and how you can rank higher and be found more. The platform has worked hard to expand their search capabilities with the addition of displaying videos and photos as results to make it easier to dig into your interests. So let’s break down the things you see when you search in IG and why they show up.
How IG Ranks your Search Results:
What you search tells IG what you’re interested in. Instagram uses signals to rank your search results. Here’s how signals are ranked, in order of importance:
Your text in Search - The text you enter in the search bar is the most important signal. IG uses that to match what you type with relevant usernames, captions, hashtags, places and bios.
Your activity - Based on the accounts you follow and posts you’ve viewed and your past interactions with accounts, IG will then show you accounts, hashtags you follow or visit more frequently. Those you don’t visit are not displayed in search results.
Information about the search results - When there are too many potential results in your search, IG looks at popularity signals. This is determined by the number of clicks, likes, shares and follows for a particular account or hashtag.
Interested in knowing how IG makes it easy for others to find you?
Since search results are matched by the text entered in Search, it helps to use an Instagram handle or profile name that’s related to the content of your posts. This is the best way to show up in searches.
Edit your bio to include keywords about who you are and what your account is about. If you are running a business, include your location so it’s easier for other people in your area to find you.
Using keywords and hashtags in your post captions (not the comments section) can help you be found in Search results.
Read the Recommendations and Community Guidelines of Instagram. When your post and hashtags violate their Recommendations Guidelines, you may appear lower in search results. Those posts that violate the Community guidelines will be removed therefore you will not show up in Search results. This is how IG keeps Search safe, so following the guidelines will help you be discoverable.
Next up…
Instagram will be launching several improvements designed for inspiration and discovery. In the past Search was originally created to help you navigate through Instagram. They are now moving towards a full search results page experience to help you find the things you love and discover new and entertaining things to share with your friends. So watch out for another announcement soon!
