We apply SEO thinking to social platforms for better discoverability.
Social search
Be discovered where conversations begin
What is social search?
Search behaviour has changed. People no longer just rely on Google to find answers.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn have become key tools for discovering products, services, and brands. In fact, almost 40% of Gen Z prefer TikTok or Instagram over Google for search. If your brand isn’t visible on these platforms, you’re missing out on an audience actively looking for solutions. Social search is where modern discovery happens, and your strategy needs to adapt.
At Circulate, we specialise in Social Search Optimisation (SSO). This approach blends proven SEO principles with social platform algorithms to make sure your brand is not just present, but also searchable and discoverable where it matters most.
YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok,
YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok,
YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok,
YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok,
YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok,
SEO
Attracting the right audience starts with understanding their needs. Through SEO, we optimise your website to ensure potential customers find you when they’re actively searching for products & services.
AEO
Optimise pages to win the answer on the SERP. AEO structures content around real questions, builds concise answer blocks, and adds the right schema to earn mentions in AI Overviews, People Also Ask and rich results, driving qualified clicks from search today.
Migrations
Put your brand inside AI search and LLMs. Our GEO tactics clarify entities, authorship and sources so Google SGE, Bing Copilot and ChatGPT can clearly understand, cite and surface your material. Schema, summaries and freshness signals keep you referenced.
Our approach to social search
01
Social search audit
We assess how well your current profiles and content are set up for discoverability:
- Keyword use in bios and captions
- Hashtag strategy and content tagging
- Engagement metrics compared to competitors
02
Profile optimisation
Your profile should work as hard as your content. We make sure:
- Bios include relevant keywords and clear value propositions
- Profile links are optimised for clicks and conversions
- Branding is consistent across platforms
03
Keyword & hashtag research
We identify:
- Trending keywords relevant to your niche
- High-performing hashtags on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
- Conversational queries for AI-integrated social search
04
Content strategy for social search
We plan content designed to rank in platform searches:
- Short-form videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts
- Captions are written for both engagement and search
- Content calendars aligned with trends and audience intent
05
Video SEO & metadata
We optimise:
- Titles, descriptions, and tags for maximum reach
- Captions for discoverability and engagement
06
Authority & trust building
Platforms favour content from credible accounts. We:
- Showcase expertise through valuable, informative posts
- Use social proof like reviews and UGC to build trust
- Increase brand authority through engagement-driven tactics
PRYA
45% increase in product revenue through eCommerce SEO
We saw a vast improvement across a range of metrics, including a 45% increase in organic product revenue as the visibility of both individual products and entire collections grew rapidly.
Social search example
If someone searches Reddit for “best project management software for small teams,” a socially optimised SaaS brand could appear in top subreddit discussions. By being mentioned organically in user threads or through helpful, non-promotional contributions from the brand, it earns trust where real buying decisions are made.
Social search
Social search focuses on short-form videos, keyword-rich captions, and engagement metrics like likes and shares.
While Google rankings can take months to build, social search rewards brands that create relevant, trending, and interactive content quickly. We provide a complete strategy to improve your discoverability across social platforms, helping you connect with users when they’re actively searching for answers.
Why choose Circulate for social search?
Future-Proof approach
Strategies designed for AI-assisted and conversational search.
Results that matter
We tie visibility to leads, traffic, and revenue, not vanity metrics.
Trusted expertise
Proven success across eCommerce, SaaS, B2B, and lifestyle sectors.
Platforms we optimise for
- TikTok
- YouTube
Academy.
Hosted by our founder, Danny Daley, the Born to Be Found SEO Academy gives ambitious brands and marketers a place to strengthen their understanding of search marketing in the ever-evolving world of AI.
Social search FAQs
What is social search optimisation?
It’s the process of making your profiles and content more discoverable in search results within social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
How is this different from traditional SEO?
Social search focuses on hashtags, captions, and engagement signals rather than backlinks and long-form content.
Does social search really drive conversions?
Yes. Optimising for social search improves top-of-funnel visibility, which drives awareness and leads, especially when combined with a strong overall SEO strategy.
Which platforms matter most for social search?
Currently, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube dominate, but LinkedIn and Pinterest are also key for specific audiences.
How soon will I see results?
You can start seeing engagement improvements in weeks, with steady discoverability gains over 3-6 months.
