| name | seo-optimizer-instagram |
| description | Instagram SEO and reach optimisation skill. Use this whenever a user needs to maximise Instagram reach, wants the best hashtags, needs caption optimisation, wants to know the best posting time, needs to optimise a Reel for Explore page, or wants to grow Instagram followers from zero. Triggers on: "Instagram hashtags", "optimise for Instagram", "Instagram SEO", "Explore page", "Reel reach", "Instagram growth", "best time to post Instagram", or any request to maximise Instagram content performance.
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Instagram SEO Optimiser Skill
Purpose
Maximise Instagram reach through algorithmic and discovery optimisation. Unlike YouTube (search-driven), Instagram is primarily a behaviour-driven platform — the algorithm amplifies content that generates fast engagement signals, particularly saves and shares, within the first 30–60 minutes of posting.
Model
Use claude-haiku-4-5 via AWS Bedrock for hashtag generation and time optimisation — these are fast, structured tasks.
Use claude-sonnet-4 for caption writing — quality matters here for engagement rate.
Instagram's Discovery Ecosystem
Content reaches new audiences through four surfaces. Optimise for all four:
1. Home Feed — shown to followers. Speed of engagement matters.
2. Explore Page — shown to non-followers. Saves/shares trigger this.
3. Reels Tab — shown based on watch completion + audio trends.
4. Hashtag Search — shown when users search specific tags.
A single well-optimised post can hit all four simultaneously. Most creators only optimise for one.
Hashtag Strategy (Deep)
The goal is not maximum reach — it's relevant reach that converts to follows, saves, and traffic to YouTube.
The Three-Tier System
Tier 1 — Volume (5 tags, 1M–10M posts)
These get you in front of large audiences. Low conversion but needed for initial distribution boost. Use 1–2 highly specific ones that are directly on-topic (not just large). Avoid hashtags over 50M posts — too competitive, your content drowns.
Tier 2 — Mid (8–10 tags, 100k–1M posts)
This is the most important tier. Large enough to have active viewers, small enough that your content can rank in "Top Posts". Target hashtags where the top 9 posts have under 5,000 likes — achievable to compete.
Tier 3 — Niche (6–8 tags, 10k–100k posts)
These punch above their weight for conversions. Viewers who browse niche hashtags are highly interested and much more likely to follow, save, and click through to YouTube.
Hashtag Research Logic
For each video topic, generate hashtags across:
- The topic itself (exact and adjacent)
- The emotion/outcome the viewer wants
- The audience identity ("entrepreneur", "fitness enthusiast", "developer")
- The content format ("tips", "explained", "breakdown", "honest review")
Never use:
- Generic banned/overused tags (#love, #instagood, #followme) — shadowban risk
- Completely unrelated tags for volume — triggers spam classification
- Repeating the same tags across every post — Instagram's algorithm penalises this
Rotate 30–40% of tags between posts.
Hashtag Placement
Place hashtags as the first comment (not in caption) for cleaner caption display while preserving discoverability. Caption stays readable; algorithm sees hashtags regardless of placement.
Caption Optimisation
The 125-Character Rule
Instagram shows the first 125 characters before the "more" button. This is the hook — it must either:
- Deliver immediate value so the reader saves it, OR
- Create enough curiosity that they tap "more"
Never waste the first 125 chars on: "Hey guys!", context-setting, or your channel name.
Engagement Multiplier Techniques
The Open Loop: End the caption with a question that has no wrong answer.
"Which of these did you already know? Drop it below 👇"
The Polariser: State a clear opinion. Agreers and disagreers both comment.
"Unpopular opinion: most people are doing [X] backwards. Agree?"
The Save Trigger: Tell them explicitly why saving is useful.
"Save this — you'll want to come back to point 3 before your next [X]"
The Identity Signal: Let them self-identify in comments.
"Type YES if you've made this mistake before"
Reel Optimisation for Explore
For a Reel to hit Explore, it needs watch completion above ~60% and strong early engagement. Optimise:
First Frame: Must work as a static image — many viewers see thumbnail before playing. Bold text on high-contrast background.
Audio: Use trending audio where possible (Instagram surfaces Reels using trending sounds). If using original audio/voiceover, ensure the Reel can be understood without sound (add subtitles).
Subtitle Overlay: 85% of Instagram videos are watched without sound. Subtitles are not optional.
Length Sweet Spot (2025): 30–45 seconds for maximum completion rate. Under 30 seconds often feels rushed. Over 60 seconds drops completion sharply unless the hook is exceptional.
Posting Time Optimisation
Unlike YouTube (schedule in advance), Instagram rewards native posting (post in-app or via official API at optimal time, not scheduling tools that post late).
Best times by day (IST, adjust for audience analytics):
Monday: 6–8 AM, 7–9 PM
Tuesday: 7–9 PM ← consistently strong
Wednesday: 11 AM–1 PM
Thursday: 7–9 PM ← best overall day
Friday: 11 AM–1 PM, 7–9 PM
Saturday: 9–11 AM ← high leisure browsing
Sunday: 10 AM–12 PM
Post frequency: 3–5 Reels/week is optimal for algorithm favour
Story frequency: daily (keeps you top of followers' story bars)
Output Contract
{
"reel": {
"hashtags": {
"tier1": ["string"],
"tier2": ["string"],
"tier3": ["string"],
"branded": ["string"],
"firstCommentText": "string — all hashtags formatted for first comment post"
},
"captionOptimised": "string — full caption with \\n breaks",
"firstFrameText": "string — bold text for Reel thumbnail frame",
"audioRecommendation": "string — trending sound suggestion or 'original voiceover'",
"optimalPostTime": "string — specific day and time slot",
"altPostTime": "string — backup slot"
},
"carousel": {
"hashtags": {
"firstCommentText": "string"
},
"captionOptimised": "string",
"optimalPostTime": "string"
},
"crossPlatformSEO": {
"keywordsShared": ["string — keywords used on both YT and IG for cross-platform reinforcement"],
"youtubeTrafficLine": "string — the specific line in caption that drives to YouTube"
},
"postingSchedule": [
{
"contentType": "Reel | Carousel | Story",
"dayOfWeek": "string",
"timeIST": "string",
"rationale": "string"
}
],
"growthProjection": "string — realistic follower growth estimate per month at this posting cadence"
}
Quality Standards
The Instagram SEO output is strong when:
- No hashtag in Tier 2 has more than 5 million posts
- Caption first line would make someone pause their scroll
- Posting time is in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 window for the day
- The CTA asks for exactly one action
- Cross-promotion line to YouTube feels natural, not like an ad
References
- See
references/instagram-algorithm.md for 2025 ranking factor details
- See
references/hashtag-research.md for niche hashtag discovery process
