Screenshot of Instagram search function.
The same goes for 'Places'. A list of places is shown there that are related to the search term. For the search term 'chicken', these are logically mainly restaurants.
Personalized results
Where I see the above results for 'chicken' from our Frankwatching account, you will (most likely) see different results. These results are personalized by Instagram. So you can actually compare it a little bit with Google's search engine.
This is of course convenient. For example, are you curious about the account of an old acquaintance, whose name is Frank Janssen? Then it is inconvenient if you get to see a list of all people named Frank Janssen in a random order (believe me, there are quite a few). The algorithm behind Instagram Search helps you find the person you are looking for.
How are search results determined?
The most important criterion on which Instagram bases the search results is of course the text that you type in the search bar. But in addition, they work with a number of 'signals' that help to sort these results. These signals are similar to the signals that they use for the algorithm of your Story, Feed and Explore.
1. The search term
First, the search term is looked at. Do you type 'chicken' in the search bar? Then Instagram searches for account names, bios, descriptions, hashtags and places where this word appears.
2. Your activity
In addition, your own activity is looked at. This includes accounts you already follow, posts you have viewed and what kind of interaction you have (had) with certain accounts. For example, if you search for the name 'Kim', the Kims special lead you follow will appear at the top of the search results.
If there are only a few search results, this point is ignored. But if there are a huge number of search results, the algorithm looks a little further. For example: how many clicks, likes, shares and followers the results have. In fact, you can say that popular search results are then at the top.
How do you make sure you are found?
Instagram also shares a few tips to make sure that people who are looking for you can actually find you. First, they kick in a few open doors:
Make sure you use your full (company) name
Put relevant keywords in your bio
Add a location to your bio
Okay, so much for the open doors. Now a nice eyeopener:
For a post to be found in Search, put keywords and hashtags in the caption, not the comments.
Do you want to be found via a post or Reel? Make sure you put the hashtags in the description of your post . So not in the comments!
The search function is still in development phase
The search function is currently being worked on. The Instagram article indicates that they will first tackle the English search terms. The idea is to also show photos and videos when you type in a search term.
- Board index
- All times are UTC
- Delete cookies
- Contact us