SEO for Salon Rebels: How to Get Found Without Selling Your Soul

By Cyd Charisse
From the SEO for Salon Rebels class

Let’s be real: SEO sounds like the most soul-sucking, technical, “corporate” word in the world of creative hairdressers. But I’m here to tell you—it doesn’t have to be.

I’m on a mission to make social media, tech, and marketing not just less scary, but actually empowering for hairdressers and salon owners. Because the truth is: getting found online is crucial. And you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to some “expert” to make it happen.

This blog is your no-BS guide to SEO for salon rebels. Let’s dive in.

What the Hell 

Is

 SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which basically means:

How does Google (or any search engine) decide who shows up when someone searches for something?

When clients Google you—or search for a stylist like you—your goal is to show up in those results. And it’s not just Google anymore. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming search engines, too.

So we need to think ahead. 

Do You Need to Hire an SEO Agency?

Here’s the thing: there are brilliant people who can handle complex SEO work for you, like coding and backend optimization. If you’re running a massive salon brand or want paid ads, that might be worth the investment.

But for most hairdressers and salon owners? You can absolutely DIY your SEO.

 Too many stylists throw money at agencies, then stare blankly at monthly reports they don’t understand. Save your cash. Instead, focus on these DIY tactics.

Think Like a Client, Not a Hairdresser

Biggest mistake hairdressers make? We market like hairdressers… not like clients.

We stalk other stylists’ pages, mimic each other’s posts, and use industry jargon. But guess what? Other hairdressers aren’t paying your bills. Clients are.

Clients aren’t searching for “dimensional balayage.” They’re searching:

• “Curly haircut specialist in Chicago”
• “Gender-neutral hair salon Portland”
• “Short haircuts for round faces NYC”

Your job is to speak your client’s language, not stylist-speak.

Your Google Business Profile: A Goldmine

If you do nothing else, set up and maintain your Google Business Profile.

• Fill out every field (except hours if you’re appointment-only—it’s fine to leave that blank or note “by appointment.”)
• Upload tons of photos (people want to see your space!)
• Post updates at least monthly
• Encourage happy clients to leave reviews—and give them keywords to use. For example:
  
• “curly haircut Chicago”
• “blonding expert Denver” 

Google is hyper-local. The more you talk about your neighborhood, city, or community, the more likely you’ll pop up in searches.

Why Your Location Matters

There’s debate in the salon world about whether to list your location online for safety. I get that—especially for independents. But here’s the reality:

If you hide your location, you’re basically invisible to clients searching locally.

People type “hairdresser near me” into Google. If you’re not visible, they’ll find someone who is. Add your location to:

• Your website homepage
• Instagram bio
• Captions
• Pinterest boards
• TikTok posts

Example: Instead of just “I do balayage,” write:

 “I’m a lived-in color specialist in Austin.”

Simple—and powerful. 

SEO for Social Media

Instagram and TikTok are now search engines. Treat them like Google… but make it aesthetic.

Instagram Bio = Micro SEO

Instead of just your name in your Instagram name field, use it for SEO:

“Brooklyn Blonding Specialist”

Your bio should clearly state:

✅ Who you are

✅ What you do

✅ Where you are

✅ Your niche

Example bio:

“Hourly blonding specialist, Brooklyn. No tips, just great hair.”

Pin Posts = Your Digital Billboard

Highlights are great, but let’s be honest—most people don’t click them.

Instead, use three pinned posts on Instagram to quickly tell:

• Who you are
• How people can work with you
• What they’ll get from you

Hook new visitors instantly before they scroll away

Caption Strategy

 Stop writing posts for other hairdressers.

Instead, write captions like:

“This dimensional blonde on fine hair was done at my Chicago salon. Book using the link in bio.”

Location + keywords = SEO magic.

Blog or Not to Blog?

Blogging is still 100% relevant.

But make it short and sweet. Nobody wants to read a novel.

Ideas:

• “3 Summer Blonde Trends from XYZ Salon”
• “How to Care for Fine Curly Hair”

Pro tip: write it yourself or let ChatGPT help you crank out drafts. No shame.

Don’t Forget About Your Images

Every photo you upload to your website or Pinterest should be renamed for SEO. Instead of:

IMG_4590.jpeg

Rename it:

chicago-curly-haircut.jpeg

Google indexes those filenames, helping you show up in image searches—often the first place clients look for hair inspo.

Pinterest = Your Secret Weapon

Clients search Pinterest for hair inspiration constantly.

• Create boards for your services and niches.
• Upload your salon’s photos.
• Use keyword-rich filenames and captions.

Pinterest traffic can lead directly to bookings.

TikTok & YouTube SEO

On video platforms, titles and hashtags matter. Instead of:

“My Blonding Technique”

Use:

“Best Blonde Hair Color Ideas for Summer 2025”

Think searchable, not just trendy.

Your SEO Homework

Ready to rebel against invisible businesses? Here’s what to do today:

✅ Audit your Google Business Profile.

✅ Add or update photos.

✅ Update your Instagram bio with who, what, where, and niche.

✅ Refresh captions with keywords and locations.

✅ Rename image files before uploading them online.

✅ Write one short blog post this month with keywords.

✅ Consider switching to a Creator account on Instagram for more features.

Remember:

Showing up clearly is more rebellious than hiding behind trends.

Your clients can’t book you if they can’t find you. And that’s the ultimate rebellion in this industry—building a business on your terms and getting paid for it.

Need help? DM me (@cydcharisse) on Instagram anytime. I’m happy to peek at your profiles, captions, bios—whatever you’ve got. Let’s make SEO easy (and a little bit fabulous).