How Meta’s AI-Powered Search Impacts Social Media SEO
In April of 2024, Meta replaced its traditional search bar with “Ask Meta AI anything.” This feature allows users to discover content, ask questions, and interact with the platform on a deeper level–never having to leave the app to get information. Let’s dive into how this update impacts social media SEO and what it could mean for brands and businesses.
Instagram AI Search: What’s It All About?
Instagram AI search is powered by Meta AI, Meta’s new chatbot assistant designed to make searching more dynamic and personalized. Instagram users can now ask questions directly through the search bar. Instead of pulling traditional search results, Meta AI responds with tailored content, images, and suggestions. This tool blends search with real-time responses in a way that mirrors the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
How Instagram’s AI Search Affects Social Media SEO
With Instagram’s AI search, the traditional rules of social media SEO are evolving. For a long time, Instagram SEO focused on optimizing profiles and content through keywords, hashtags, and high engagement. Now, with AI-powered suggestions and searches, brands will need to adapt their strategies even further to remain discoverable in this new search-driven landscape.
Here’s how the new AI search impacts social media SEO:
- Keyword Optimization: Just like in traditional SEO, keywords are still king. However, with Instagram’s AI search, long-tail keywords and conversational queries (questions or phrases people naturally use) may carry more weight. Think about how users might ask Meta AI about your brand or industry—this is your chance to optimize content that aligns with their questions.
- Pre-Loaded Prompts: Instagram is also introducing pre-loaded prompts like “How to make a smoothie bowl” or “Help me get better sleep.” Brands that can match their content to these AI-generated prompts will have a better chance of appearing in search results. The key is to anticipate what users might ask and create content that aligns with those queries.
- Enhanced User Experience: Instagram’s AI assistant aims to streamline the user experience. Users can now find answers to their queries without leaving the platform, making it easier to discover content without relying on external search engines. For brands, this means your content needs to be engaging, visually compelling, and relevant to user intent. Optimizing for an immersive and interactive user experience can improve your chances of being featured by AI search.
Social Media SEO Tips in the Age of AI
Instagram SEO isn’t going anywhere, so let’s talk about some ways you can get ahead of AI-powered search:
- Focus on Conversational Keywords: With AI search at play, you need to start thinking about how users might naturally phrase their searches. Instead of just focusing on broad keywords like “fitness tips,” consider phrases like “How to get in shape at home.” These conversational queries will likely become more important as AI search grows.
- Leverage Hashtags and Alt Text: AI search still takes into account hashtags and alt text, so don’t skip out on optimizing these elements. Use hashtags relevant to your content and audience, and make sure your alt text is descriptive to improve discoverability.
- Create FAQ-Style Content: Just like in traditional SEO, FAQ-style content performs well in search. Users will likely ask Instagram AI questions like “Best travel destinations for summer,” so creating blog-like posts or Reels that answer these questions will help your content rank higher.
- Monitor Data & Trends: As Instagram AI search evolves, it’s important to keep a close eye on your analytics. Use Instagram Insights to see which keywords, hashtags, and types of content are driving the most engagement. This data will give you a clearer picture of how to adapt your strategy for AI search.
- Engage with AI Trends: Instagram is leaning heavily into AI-powered features, and users are responding. From animated photos to personalized content suggestions, AI is making social media experiences more engaging. Stay on top of trends and keep optimizing your content to remain competitive.
Will Social Media SEO Replace Traditional SEO?
The short answer: no. Social media SEO and traditional SEO serve different purposes, but they can work together to enhance your online visibility.
Maintaining your social media profiles can boost your website’s visibility by introducing your brand to a wider audience. By optimizing your Instagram content, you can drive more traffic to your website, improving your traditional SEO rankings. Plus, a strong social media presence can lead to more organic backlinks, mentions, and shares, all of which contribute to better website SEO.
Instagram’s New Features and Updates
Meta’s integration of AI across its apps is just getting started. The company is set to continue expanding its AI features in the coming months, including additional language capabilities and personalized search experiences. With the ability to ask Meta AI anything, from weather updates to personalized recommendations, the future of Instagram AI search is bright.
Here are some other incoming updates to the app to look out for in 2024:
- The grid format is changing to 4×5.
- You can now add a song to your profile.
- Brands get their own chat themes.
- Commenting on Instagram Stories is now possible.
- Carousels can now expand to 20 slides.
- Notes can be added to posts or Reels.
- Instagram now allows users to pin DMs.
- A new ‘Views’ metric is being introduced for all post types.
As brands and marketers, staying on top of these trends is crucial. AI-powered search is changing how we think about visibility and SEO—not just on search engines, but across platforms like Instagram. The key is to remain flexible, proactive, and creative with your content strategies.
At KARMA jack, we’re all about staying ahead of the curve and helping you crush it with SEO and marketing that works. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, and be sure to keep up with us on socials!
