Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with over 1 billion active monthly users. If you want to grow your following and get more engagement on your posts, it's important to post at the right times. In this comprehensive guide, we'll go over the best times to post on Instagram based on extensive research and data.
Why Posting at the Right Time on Instagram Matters
Before we dive into the specifics of when to post, let's first discuss why it's so important to post at optimal times on Instagram. Simply put, posting when your audience is most active means more people will see and engage with your content. The Instagram algorithm prioritizes recent posts, so the timing of your posts can have a big impact on their reach. Posts that quickly receive a lot of likes and comments will be shown to more people, while those that don't get much initial engagement can get buried. Posting at high-traffic times gives your content the best chance to be seen. What's more, people tend to check Instagram at certain times throughout the day, especially in the mornings, around lunchtime, and in the evenings after work. Catching your followers during these daily check-in times means they're more likely to see your posts at the top of their feed.
Overall Best Times to Post on Instagram
Looking at the data across industries and time zones, there are certain times and days that consistently get the highest engagement on Instagram:
Best times :
- 6am-9am
- 12pm-2pm
- 5pm-9pm
Best days : Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Worst days: Sunday
Weekday mornings tend to be good, with engagement rising as people check their phones when they wake up. Lunchtime, when people have a break in their day, is another prime window. And evenings after work see high Instagram traffic as well. Mid-week posts on Tuesday to Friday also perform better on average than weekend posts. The worst engagement is typically seen on Sundays when people are busy with other weekend activities. While these overall best times provide a starting point, the optimal posting times can vary quite a bit by industry and by the specific audience for your account. Let's look at industry-specific data next.
Best Times to Post on Instagram by Industry
Different target audiences have different daily schedules and social media habits. Here are the best times to post for some key industries:
Technology
Best times: 10am-5pm
Best day: Wednesday
Worst day: Sunday
Tech audiences tend to check Instagram during the workday, especially around mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays.
B2C
Best times:
- 8am-10am
- 12pm
- 6pm-9pm
Best days: Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday Worst day: Monday
B2C brands tend to see the highest engagement on weekends and in the evenings when people have more free time to browse. The lunch hour is also a prime time.
Education
Best times:
- 6am-8am
- 11am-4pm
- 6pm-9pm
Best days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday
Worst day: Tuesday
Educational content does well early in the morning when students are getting ready for school, around lunchtime, and in the evenings. Weekends and the start of the week see the most engagement.
Healthcare
Best times:
- 6am-7am
- 9am
- 11am-12pm
- 5pm-8pm
Best day: Tuesday
Worst day: Saturday, Sunday
Healthcare audiences engage most on weekday mornings and evenings, especially early in the week on Tuesdays. Engagement drops off on weekends.
Of course, these are still generalizations based on industry. Your specific audience may vary, so it's important to check your own account analytics.
Using Instagram Analytics to Find Your Best Times to Post
Instagram business and creator accounts have access to the Instagram Insights analytics tool. You can use it to see detailed data on when your followers are most active on the app. To find your personalized best times to post:
- Go to your profile and tap on the Insights button
- Scroll down to the "Your Audience" section
- Tap "See All"
- Scroll to the bottom to see the days and times your followers are most active
This shows you the average times your followers are on Instagram each day of the week. You can use this data to match your posting times to when your audience is most likely to see your posts.
Tips for Optimizing Your Posting Schedule
Now that you know the overall and industry benchmarks for posting times, as well as how to find your account-specific best times, here are some tips to optimize your Instagram posting schedule:
-Post consistently: Pick a regular posting schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This trains your audience to expect posts from you at certain times.
-Don't overpost: Posting too frequently can lead to lower engagement per post. Aim for 1-2 feed posts per day.
-Spread out posts: If you're posting twice a day, schedule those posts several hours apart to reach different segments of your audience.
-Use a scheduling tool: Instagram scheduling tools like MissingLettr can help you plan out posts in advance and automatically publish them at set times.
-Monitor and adapt: Keep an eye on how different posting times affect your reach and engagement, and adjust your schedule accordingly. What works for you may change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
To wrap up, here are answers to some common questions about the best times to post on Instagram:
1. What is the single best time to post on Instagram?
There isn't one universal "best" time to post on Instagram. It varies by industry and audience. Mid-morning and early evenings on weekdays are generally good bets. Use the tips above to find your account's specific optimal times.
2. Should I post on Instagram on weekends?
It depends on your industry and audience. Some B2C brands see high engagement on weekends, while other industries' engagement drops off. Check your analytics to see if your audience is active on Instagram on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. How often should I post on Instagram?
Aim for posting 1-2 times per day to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them. Consistency is key for growing a following. Major brands post 1.5 times per day on average.
4. When is the worst time to post on Instagram?
Late night and very early morning tend to be the worst times to post across the board, as most people aren't actively checking Instagram then. Sundays also generally see low engagement for many industries.
5. Does posting time affect Instagram reach?
Yes, posting time can have a big effect on reach. Posting when your followers are most active means more people will see your post, which can lead the algorithm to show it to even more people. Posting at low-traffic times usually results in lower reach.
By following the data and best practices outlined here, you can optimize your Instagram posting schedule to maximize engagement and reach. It takes some experimentation and analysis to pin down the best times for your specific account, but posting at the right times can make a big difference in your Instagram marketing results.
