How To: Using SEO Keywords to Bring Your Organic Social Strategy to the Next Level
Understand why SEO keywords are a little-known secret weapon on Instagram, Tiktok, & Facebook…and how to put them to action for your brand
In recent years, SEO was something we talked about for blogs and websites only—basically, a Google thing. Fast-forward to today, and your social feeds are search engines in their own right. Think about it: on Instagram, people type “best brunch in Nashville” and get Reels for results, not just hashtags. On Facebook, locals look up “family-friendly activities” and find posts and pages from nearby businesses.
If your social content isn’t optimized with the right keywords, it’s like throwing the best party in town, but forgetting to give anyone the address.
Good social SEO means getting discovered by new people (not just your followers), staying competitive in crowded niches, and matching your content to what your ideal audience is actively searching for. The result? More eyeballs on your channels, more engagement, and a better shot at converting casual scrollers into loyal fans or customers.
To help bring your social strategy to the next level, we’ve compiled a list of quick tips for each social platform, plus a checklist you can use to ensure that you’re on the right track when it comes to SEO. You got this!
Quick Tips to Optimize SEO for Social by Platform
- Profile name & bio: Use relevant keywords—these fields are searchable.
- Captions: Naturally integrate keywords that align with what people are searching for. Avoid keyword stuffing.
- Alt text: Add descriptive alt text with keywords for better discoverability.
- Hashtags: Use a mix of broad, niche, and trending hashtags (5–10 per post).
- Reels: Include keywords in overlays and spoken words—Instagram’s algorithm can pick them up.
TikTok
- Captions: Keep them short, specific, and keyword-rich.
- Hashtags: Combine trending and niche tags thoughtfully.
- On-screen text & voice: Embed keywords here; the algorithm transcribes and indexes your spoken words too.
- Page name & “About” section: Include keywords naturally to boost search visibility.
- Posts and captions: Use relevant keywords consistently.
- Local details: For businesses, include accurate contact info and service details.
Checklist: Your Top To-Do’s for SEO-Optimized Social Posts
| What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Include keywords in profile names & bios → | Boosts search visibility |
| Add keywords naturally in captions → | Signals relevance to algorithms |
| Use alt text (Instagram) → | Enhances accessibility and discoverability |
| Use diversified, relevant hashtags → | Helps content appear in more searches |
| Add keyword overlays & voice in videos → | Increases indexing in TikTok & Reels |
| Keep captions targeted and concise → | Improves user experience and engagement |
| Ensure profile details (like local info on Facebook) are complete → | Enhances ranking in local & social searches |