Instagram hit 3 billion monthly active users in September 2025, making it one of the largest discovery platforms for brands to build awareness, connect with audiences, and drive demand. 

In this article, we will explore all these unique search features to help you make the most of Instagram. 

What you need to know about Instagram search features

Instagram search for many businesses is a place to get inspiration and discover trends. When you search for topics or accounts of your interest, Instagram sifts through millions of accounts and posts to give you what you are looking for. 

Instagram uses signals to rank the search results. These signals include: 

• Text: The text entered in the search bar is matched with hashtags, usernames, bios, places, and captions to display the most relevant result. 
• Activity:  This is based on the accounts you follow, and the posts you engaged with to show accounts or hashtags that you follow or have viewed more times. 
• Popularity: The search results are also sifted based on the number of likes, shares, comments, or the number of followers for an account, place, or hashtag. 

Here are some best practices for you to improve your brand’s or business’s presence in search.

• Since search results are matched on the basis of the text, it is important to go for a handle and profile name that reflects or best describes the contents of your post. If your audience is familiar with your business or brand name, use that name in your profile to improve visibility. 
• Add important keywords in your bio that again describe who you are. Plus, you can add your location to your bio. This will especially help small businesses, making it easier for your customers to find you and make a good impact on your Instagram analytics.
• Lastly, use relevant keywords and hashtags in the caption of your post (not in the comments) to help improve discovery. 

Instagram search in 2025: What actually helps you show up

In 2025, Instagram discovery is much more keyword-first than it used to be. Think of this as Instagram SEO: make it obvious (in plain language) what your account and posts are about.

• Optimize your “Name” field (not just your username) with your main keyword (e.g., “Skincare clinic Istanbul”).
• Repeat your core keywords in your bio so Instagram can match you to relevant searches.
• Use keywords in captions the way people actually type them into search.
• Treat hashtags as support, not the strategy: use a small set of highly relevant hashtags and avoid generic “trending” tags that don’t describe the post.

Top Instagram search features

Now, let’s explore some unique search features available on Instagram. 

How to search posts from specific or nearby locations 

This search can prove useful when you are planning a holiday or want to explore pictures of the restaurants or hangout places in that location. Here is how to browse such posts.

• Tap on the magnifying glass (

  

  ) icon to open the search page. 
• Type in the location or name of the place and tap on the search. Five tabs will appear on the top, namely, Top, Accounts, Audio, Tags, and Places. 
• Select places and a list will appear of all the relevant locations that match your search. Select a location and you will be able to view Top and Recent posts geotagged in that location. 

There is one more way, i.e. by taping on the geotag of an existing post. Open the post and on the top left-hand side, the geotag will appear. tap on the geotag and you will be able to view Top and Recent posts geotagged in that location. 

In a similar way, you can browse posts based on your current location. 

• Tap on the magnifying glass icon (

  

  )  to go to the search bar. In the places tab, tap on the search bar and select Near Current Location.
• Select the geotag that you would want to explore from the list. 
• You will be able to view Top and Recent posts geotagged in that location.  

How to search for Instagram users without an account 

It might happen that you do not have an Instagram account but would like to look at your favorite brands, celebrities, stores, etc. In fact, you can. Here’s how.

• If you are somehow already aware of the Instagram user name, then type in the user name after www.instagram.com/<insert username> in the search engine (it can be Google or any other browser). For instance, https://www.instagram.com/sociality.io/. You can also use site:instagram.com <insert username>. For instance, site:instagram.com sociality.io 
• The relevant results will appear on your browser page. tap on the profile that you are looking for. At this point in time, you may also choose to sign up for Instagram.

How to clear Instagram search history

Like search engines that give you the option to clear or erase your search history, Instagram also allows its users to clear their search history easily in just a few taps. 

• Go to your profile (

  

  ) and tap on the hamburger menu (

  

  ) on the top right-hand side.
• Next, tap on Your Activity and then Recent Searches.
• Tap on Clear all 

How to save posts for research (Collections)

If you’re researching competitors or collecting inspiration, use Save (Collections) and browser viewing (desktop or mobile web) to reduce accidental taps and keep your research organized. This is also easier to share internally because you can group saved posts by campaign, format, or theme.

How to clear Instagram search suggestions 

Here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps. 

• Tap on the magnifying glass icon (

  

  ). 
• The search results will appear with an (x) sign. 
• You can clear these individually by clicking on (x) or by clicking on See All and then Clear All to remove searches in one go. 

How to find relevant hashtags (and use up to 5)

Hashtags still help categorize content and support search, but they’re not the main discovery engine anymore — recommendations and keyword relevance do more of the heavy lifting. In late 2025, Instagram started capping hashtags per post to five, so prioritize 3–5 specific, on-topic hashtags instead of “trending” or generic ones. 

👉 Hashtags play a crucial role in Instagram analytics — from Reels analytics and post performance to overall engagement trends.

• Tap on the magnifying glass icon (

  

  ). 
• Type in a keyword and search. Five tabs will appear—Top, Accounts, Audio, Tags, and Places. 
• Tap on the Tag tab, and all relevant and top-performing hashtags will appear in your search. 
• Tap on the hashtag relevant to you, and you will also be able to view recent and top posts, as well as reels. 

How to search and rearrange filters on Instagram 

You can add filters to your Instagram post, story, reel, or even live video. 

• Go to the home (

  

  ) icon and tap on 

  

    at the top right-hand side to decide if you want to upload a post, story, reel, or start a live video. 
• For a post, once you select photos, the filters will appear at the bottom as shown below.

You can also change the settings of the filters. Just double-tap on the filter, and you will get the option to edit the filter for your post. You can also reorder or rearrange your favorite filters forward. This can be done by holding the respective filter and moving it forward and backward. 

For stories, reels, or live videos, the filters will appear as shown below. 

• Select an existing video or photo or start recording. 
• Tap on the filter or three-star icon (

  

  ) at the top right-hand side and the filters will appear.
• Scroll and select the filter options that appear at the bottom and tap on Done to apply the filter. 

Hope you find these Instagram search hacks useful to enhance your experience on this platform! 

Now, you can manage your Instagram and other social media handles effectively all at one platform using our Sociality.io tool. Know how businesses are relying on us for their social media success!