SEO Tips to Skyrocket Your Social Media Visibility

Want to drive more traffic to your restaurant or local brand and boost awareness and online presence without spending big? SEO isn’t just for websites anymore, it’s just as crucial on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, RED Note (Xiaohongshu), and even Google Business Profiles. Social media SEO can help you can help you reach the right audience, increase engagement, and turn casual browsers into loyal customers.

At Chouchou Media, we work with restaurants and lifestyle brands across Brisbane and Gold Coast to help create visibility across platforms through smart, localised SEO strategies—whether that means crafting keyword-rich captions, optimising visuals, or driving cross-platform traffic through compelling storytelling. These seven tips will help improve your discoverability, engagement, and conversion potential.

🔍 Do Social Media Keyword Research Like a Pro

Keyword research isn’t just for Google—it plays a huge role in helping your social content get discovered on platforms like Instagram and Xiaohongshu (RED). The goal is to identify what your target audience is actively searching for and make sure your content aligns with those queries.

Client Example: Instead of using broad, low-intent hashtags like #foodie, we helped Nahm Thai attract a more targeted local audience by using long-tail keywords like #黄金海岸泰餐 (#GoldCoastThaiFood). Similarly, for Seoul Garden BBQ Buffet, we leveraged location-specific terms such as #SunnybankEats to bring in nearby diners who were already looking for a place to eat.

Tools to help:

• Instagram Explore: Check which hashtags and phrases competitors or similar venues are using, as well as what’s ranking in search.

• Google Trends: Align content with seasonal or regional interests to stay relevant and timely.

• WordStream: Generate high-performing keyword ideas tailored to your industry and location.

• RED Note Creator Centre: Get inspired by trending topics and discover keywords that boost exposure among Chinese-speaking audiences.

Search bars on social platforms act just like search engines, helping users discover content through keywords—making strategic keyword placement essential for visibility.

📝 Optimise Content for Humans & Algorithms

Social media content needs to hit both targets: user readability and algorithmic signals. Use natural, relevant keywords in your captions, bios, and hashtags without sounding robotic.

Client Example: For BOBBYQ, we crafted titles like “🇦🇺Indooroopilly终于有韩式烤肉了！🆕” which seamlessly combine high-intent keywords with emotional triggers that resonate with local audiences.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Copy.ai can help generate content ideas and draft captions, but always localise and humanise your final copy to reflect your brand’s voice and cultural context!

Examples of social media captions crafted by Chouchou Media, demonstrating how bilingual keywords, emotional hooks, and platform-relevant language work together to appeal to both users and algorithms.

📱 Design Scroll-Stopping Visuals

Whether you're creating an Instagram Reel or a RED Note, visuals are the first hook—and often the reason users stop scrolling. To maximise attention and engagement, your creative assets should be:

• Bright lighting and bold colours

• Clear focal point (e.g. signature dish or action shot)

• Keyword-based text overlays

• Correct sizing (Instagram 4:5, Reels 9:16, RED 3:4)

Client Example: For Seoul Garden BBQ, we used a high-contrast shot of their buffet with bold text reading “$19.90 LUNCH FOOD BUFFET.” The result? Over 5,000 organic views and 200+ interactions—without any paid promotion.

A preview of three high-performing social media content produced by Chouchou Media across Instagram and RED. The visuals highlight engaging layouts, eye-catching titles, overlays, and dynamic food content, all optimised for scroll-stopping impact and localised SEO engagement.

⚡ Speed & Load Time Matter

While this mostly applies to websites, your link-in-bio destination or ad landing pages also need to load fast. If your Instagram bio link, landing page, or ad destination takes too long to load, users will bounce.

A 1-second delay in load time can drop conversions by 7%. That means fewer bookings, fewer follows, and more bounces. Delayed loads = lost bookings!!!

Make sure every link you use (especially for bookings or promotions) leads to:

• Use mobile-optimised landing pages

• Prioritise fast loading over animations

• Include CTAs like “Book Now” above the fold

Every second counts—especially when users are just one tap away from walking into your venue!

🔗 Use Strategic Internal & Cross-Platform Linking

Internal links (linking between your posts and platforms) keep users engaged longer, while cross-platform links build consistency and visibility. Tagging locations also improves local discoverability, especially for food and lifestyle brands that rely on foot traffic.

Tap into local SEO by combining booking links and location tags. These small actions help your content get discovered by nearby customers—and drive real foot traffic.

Here are some effective linking strategies:

• Tag your exact venue or location in social posts

• Add booking links to Instagram Stories with CTA stickers

• Include icons of social media with hyperlinks in your website footer

• Embed your social media into blogs or articles

• Pin high-performing content to the top of your feed
  
  

This cross-platform connectivity encourages users to stay in your ecosystem longer and signals strong content relevance—both of which are great for engagement and SEO!

🖼️ Add Image Alt Text & Captions for Search

Yes—Instagram has custom alt text! This helps visually impaired users and boosts discoverability.

Adding descriptive image tags not only makes your content more accessible—it also boosts your social SEO. Platforms like Instagram use these cues to understand what your post is about, helping it show up in more relevant searches.

Here are some effective image SEO tactics:

• Add alt text using keywords (e.g. “Korean BBQ spread at BOBBYQ Indooroopilly”)

• Use clear on-screen text in videos or carousels

• Include descriptive file names before uploading

For platforms like RED where alt text isn't available, descriptive captions and keyword overlays play the same role.

💬 Boost Social Backlinks

Backlinks aren’t just for websites anymore. On social media, saves, shares, and meaningful comments act as “social signals”—telling the platform that your content is valuable, engaging, and worth recommending to more users. Create content that encourages interaction, which eventually leads to greater exposure!

Here are some interactive content ideas:

• 📝 Guides & checklists: “Supper Spots in Brisbane” or “聚会餐厅推荐”

• 🎥 How-tos & tutorials: “Strategy for Buffet”

• 💬 Conversation starters & poll partaking: “Team BBQ or Hotpot?”

Each save or share acts like a vote of confidence, increasing your ranking in the Explore feed or RED Note recommendations!

Final Thought: Social SEO Isn’t Just a Trend, It’s a Growth Strategy!

Like traditional SEO, social media SEO takes time, testing, and consistency, but the payoff is real: more engagement, more bookings, and stronger brand presence across platforms.

At Chouchou Media, we don’t just post — we position your brand to be seen, saved, and shared. From RED Notes and Instagram Reels to Google visibility, we speak the cultural language and apply data-driven strategies that move the needle.

📩 Ready to get seen, saved, and shared?
Let’s build a visibility strategy that works together — on all the platforms that matter. Contact us and start working on your social SEO today!