The ‘prime time to post’ refers to those golden hours when your content is most likely to be seen, engaged with, and appreciated by your target audience.
But it’s not always easy competition with other creators to get your posts seen. In fact, according to DataReportal, a staggering 70% of users frequently post content. This means that the platform is saturated with a diverse range of posts, making the struggle for visibility intense.
And to make things more complicated, Instagram’s algorithm is always changing!
The debate of whether creators post randomly or strategically is ongoing. Yet, the data leans heavily towards strategic posting. Creators who align their posts with their audience’s peak activity times on Instagram report significantly higher engagement rates compared to those who post randomly. This approach transforms a haphazard posting schedule into a finely tuned strategy. One that you can copy.
If you want to learn the nuances of finding the best times to post on Instagram in 2024, keep reading. We will explore how understanding your audience’s online habits, coupled with Instagram’s peak activity times, can elevate your Instagram presence, helping you not just post, but post smartly.
When Is The Best Time To Post On Instagram?
Going viral on Instagram can feel like a guessing game for many users, especially when it comes to figuring out the optimal time to post. If you’re struggling with low engagement, it might be time to reconsider your timing strategy.
While there’s a bit of luck involved, intuition plays a major role too! Posting in the middle of the night when your audience is deep in dreamland? Probably not the best move. Hopefully, you’re not doing that (and if you are, this is your sign to stop).
When you post at the right time, you’re more likely to catch your audience when they’re active and ready to engage. But here’s the catch – there’s no universal ‘best time’ that works for everyone. Your perfect posting time depends on who your audience is and their online habits. What works for one person might not work for another.
However, if you need a good place to start, here is a general guide for the superior posting times on Instagram in 2024.
| Best Times to Post on Instagram | Best Days to Post on Instagram |
Worst Day to Post on Instagram
|
| Before Work (6 am-9 am) | Weekdays | Weekends |
| During Lunch (12 pm-2 pm) | ||
| After Work (5 pm-6 pm) |
What Are The Best Times To Post On Instagram For Every Day Of The Week?
Each day of the week offers unique windows of opportunity to maximize your engagement. To do so, you’ll need to understand when your audience is most likely to be scrolling through their feeds and ready to engage with your content. This not only varies from day to day but also shifts depending on time zones.
To help you plan your posting schedule, here’s a table showing the best times to post on Instagram for every day of the week, both in Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST).
| Day of the Week | Best Time to Post (PST) | Best Time to Post (EST) |
| Monday | 9 AM – 10 AM | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 10 AM | 12 AM – 1 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM | 8 AM, 2 PM, and 6 PM |
| Thursday | 12 PM and 5 PM | 3 PM and 8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 10 AM and 5 PM – 6 PM | 12 PM – 1 PM and 8 PM – 9 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM – 12 PM | 11 AM – 3 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM – 2 PM | 1 PM – 5 PM |
1. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Monday
Hit the ground running on Monday by posting between 9 am and 10 am.
This time slot captures the attention of those kicking off their workweek, often seeking a quick, engaging start to their Monday mornings. Your post can provide that refreshing content they crave as they transition into their professional mindset.
2. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Tuesday
Capitalizing on the early workweek energy, the 9 am to 10 am window on Tuesday is ideal for high engagement.
This is when users are fully in the groove of their week, looking for interesting content to spice up their morning routine. Posts during this time can effectively engage an audience that’s already active and looking for a brief, enjoyable break.
3. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Wednesday
Wednesday presents diverse opportunities with optimal times at 5 am, 11 am, and 3 pm.
The early slot at 5 am targets the early risers and morning workout crowd. The 11 am time is perfect for catching users during a mid-morning break, while the 3 pm slot aligns with the afternoon lull, where a quick scroll through Instagram is common for many seeking a brief respite from work or daily tasks.
4. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Thursday
Thursdays are great for two strategic posting times: 12 pm for the lunchtime crowd and 5 pm for the evening wind-down.
The midday slot taps into users taking a break from work or daily activities, seeking to engage with fresh, interesting content. The 5 pm window catches people as they wrap up their day, offering a perfect moment for your post to be the last pleasant scroll on their feed before they head into their evening routines.
5. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Friday
Fridays offer a dual opportunity for engagement with optimal times at 9 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 6 pm.
The morning slot is when users are in a light-hearted, weekend-ready mood, receptive to engaging content that sets a positive tone for their day.
The evening slot, as they transition into weekend mode, is ideal for catching those final moments of online activity, where your content can be a part of their Friday excitement and relaxation.
6. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Saturday
Saturday mornings, from 8 am to 12 pm, are prime time for Instagram activity.
As users enjoy a slower start to their weekend, they’re more likely to leisurely browse through Instagram. This window is your chance to engage with an audience that’s relaxed and has more time to appreciate and interact with your content, making it a perfect opportunity for heightened engagement.
But keep in mind that many people may not be on their phones on Saturday, too busy with family and friends.
7. Best Time To Post On Instagram On Sunday
Sunday, the day of leisure and relaxation, is best for posting between 10 am and 2 pm.
This time frame captures your audience when they’re unwinding, reflecting on the week past, or planning the week ahead. It’s a prime opportunity to share content that resonates with their relaxed Sunday vibe, ensuring your posts are a part of their peaceful weekend scroll.
Best Days To Post On Instagram
When it comes to maximizing engagement on Instagram, weekdays emerge as the frontrunners.
This trend can be attributed to the consistent routine that most people follow during the workweek. Unlike weekends, where plans can be varied and unpredictable, weekdays often have a more structured schedule, allowing for predictable periods when users are likely to check their social media.
During these weekdays, people typically have set times for breaks, commutes, and relaxation after work, creating windows of opportunity for content consumption. These habitual check-ins mean your audience is more consistently available and likely to engage with your posts.
As a result, tapping into these weekday rhythms can significantly increase your chances of higher engagement, making your content a part of your audience’s daily digital routine.
Worst Days To Post On Instagram
In contrast to weekdays, weekends often see a dip in engagement on Instagram. The reasons for this are rooted in the typical weekend lifestyle.
Unlike the structured routine of weekdays, weekends are typically reserved for leisure activities, family time, or outings, leading to less consistent social media usage. People are more likely to be engaged in personal activities, outdoor adventures, or spending time away from their phones, resulting in fewer interactions with online content.
Moreover, the relaxed and unplanned nature of weekends means that people don’t follow a regular schedule, which includes checking social media.
This unpredictability can make it challenging for creators to capture their audience’s attention effectively. As a result, posts during weekends might not receive the same level of engagement as they would on a weekday, making these days less ideal for those looking to maximize their Instagram presence.
What Are The Best Times To Post On Instagram By Industry?
When it comes to finding the best times to post on Instagram, it’s important to recognize that each industry has its own unique audience, each with distinct schedules and online behaviors.
The variety in industries means that what works for a fashion brand may not be as effective for a tech startup. This specificity is due to the differing lifestyles, interests, and online habits of each industry’s audience.
For instance, the entertainment industry might see higher engagement during evening hours, while the fitness industry might thrive in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Some industries have more clearly defined peak times for engagement than others, highlighting the importance of tailoring your Instagram strategy to your specific industry. Understanding these nuances can make a significant difference in your social media success, ensuring that your content aligns perfectly with when your audience is most receptive and active.
For a concise summary of the optimal posting times by industry, here are all the times listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST).
1. Products
In the consumer goods industry, which encompasses a wide range of products, the optimal time for Instagram posts is Thursdays at 2 pm, with Tuesdays also showing significant engagement. This timing capitalizes on consumer behaviors, aligning with moments when they are most receptive to discovering and engaging with new products, especially true for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
2. Entertainment🎬
For the media and entertainment industry, prime posting times on Instagram are Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 am, and Thursdays at 7 am. These times align with audience habits of engaging with fresh content and news updates during mid-morning breaks.
3. Fashion and Beauty💇
In the fashion and beauty sector, ideal Instagram posting times are weekdays from 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, and weekends from 6 am to 8 am and 2 pm to 4 pm. These slots coincide with periods when consumers are likely exploring their feeds for the latest styles and trends, particularly on Saturdays.
4. Food and Beverage🍟
For food and beverage content, the best times to post on Instagram are weekdays from 9 am to 11 am and weekends from 2 pm to 4 pm. These times tap into moments when people are thinking about meals, either planning lunch on weekdays or dining out on weekends.
5. Health and Fitness💪
In the health and fitness industry, targeting Instagram users on weekdays from 3 am to 5 am and 2 pm to 4 pm, and weekends from 5 am to 7 am and 1 pm to 3 pm is effective. These times align with the typical schedule of fitness enthusiasts, either starting or ending their workout routines.
6. Technology👨🏻💻
For IT brands, optimal Instagram posting times are weekdays from 7 am to 9 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 12 pm. These periods capture the attention of professionals during work hours and tech enthusiasts during leisurely weekend afternoons.
7. Travel and Hospitality✈️
For the travel and hospitality industry, prime Instagram posting times are weekdays from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, and weekends from 6 am to 8 am and 1 pm to 3 pm. These times align with moments when potential travelers are dreaming about their next destination, especially effective on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
8. Education👩🎓
In the education sector, the most effective Instagram posting times are Tuesdays at 11 am and from 1 to 4 pm, Wednesdays at 12 pm and 3 pm, and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 pm. These times correlate with when students and educators are most active, looking for educational content and updates.
9. Finance and Business👨💼
For digital marketing and social media within the finance and business sector, the best posting times on Instagram are weekdays from 9 am to 11 am and 1 pm to 3 pm. While weekends show limited activity, they can be utilized for brief, engaging updates. This timing targets professionals who are active online during standard business hours.
10. Non-Profit Organizations
For non-profit organizations, high engagement times on Instagram are Tuesdays at 10 am and 1 pm, Wednesdays from 11 am to 5 pm, and Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm. These times coincide with when audiences are receptive to messages about social causes and community involvement, especially on Wednesdays.
Why Is Knowing the Best Time to Post on Instagram Beneficial to Me?
Determining the optimal times to post content on Instagram can have a remarkable impact on the engagement and reach of your posts.
Understanding when your target audience is most active on the app allows you to publish when users are primed to interact. This leads to more likes, comments, saves, and overall visibility. Boosting engagement metrics then lends credibility to your account and facilitates a connection with current and prospective followers.
In essence, strategic timing translates to higher quality engagement that catalyzes relationship-building with people who relate to and appreciate your content. Implementing best practices for post timing gives your posts the greatest opportunity to reach those most receptive.
So why does it matter?
- Relevance
- Engagement
- Algorithm Advantages
1. Relevance
The timing of your post can enhance its relevance. Imagine posting about a breakfast recipe at 9 PM – it might not be what your audience wants to see. Conversely, timing this post for the morning can capture the attention of those scrolling for breakfast ideas, making your content more relevant and engaging.
2. Engagement
Timing affects engagement – likes, comments, shares, and saves. Posts timed to coincide with when most of your audience is online naturally garner more interactions. This is not just speculative; it’s a proven strategy. Increased engagement during these peak times creates a ripple effect, leading to even more visibility.
3. Algorithm Advantages
Instagram’s algorithm favors posts with higher engagement, especially soon after posting. By posting at optimal times, you’re more likely to get a quick response from your audience. This rapid engagement sends positive signals to the algorithm, increasing the likelihood of your post being featured on more feeds, including the Explore page.
Is There Actually a ‘Best Time’ to Post on Instagram?
The answer is a definitive yes, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Sure, there are general time slots that work better on average, but the ideal time for you to post depends on various factors. These can include anything from your specific audience’s location and time zones, their age, your industry, or even your niche.
For instance, a fitness influencer might find their audience most active early in the morning or after typical work hours, while a food blogger might see more engagement during lunch hours.
In short, the ‘best time’ does exist, but it’s uniquely tailored to you and your audience. It requires understanding and analyzing your specific Instagram metrics to identify those peak periods of engagement.
What Are the Key Factors to Consider When Posting on Instagram?
Getting your content seen by the right people on Instagram requires a strong marketing strategy and knowing when to publish posts.
Key considerations include your target audience’s time zones to pinpoint their active hours, the specific days of the week most impactful for your niche, typical breaks in your followers’ schedules, an optimal posting cadence that avoids content overload, and customizing both visual and written content to resonate with your demographic.
Evaluating these critical factors will inform an intentional posting approach rather than a random one, helping content stand out in the highly competitive Instagram landscape.
1. Time Zone
The time zone of your audience is a fundamental aspect to consider for effective Instagram posting. It determines when your followers are most likely to be active and engaging with content. This is especially important if your audience is globally dispersed, as posting when your largest segment is awake maximizes engagement.
Understanding and aligning with your audience’s time zones ensures your content is seen and interacted with at the best times.
2. Day of the Week
Different days can yield varying responses from your audience, influenced by their routines and habits —weekdays, for instance, might see higher activity during lunch breaks, whereas weekends could engage a more leisurely, morning audience. Understanding these patterns is how you’ll be able to succeed!
It makes sense! Tailoring your posting schedule to these nuances can significantly boost your content’s visibility and engagement.
3. Lunch Time or Breaks
Lunch times and breaks are pivotal for Instagram engagement, as these are moments when the average person often scrolls through social media. This behavior creates an opportunity for higher visibility and interaction with your posts.
People typically seek a mental break during these times, turning to Instagram for entertainment or information. Capitalizing on these habitual scrolling periods can significantly increase the chances of your content being seen and interacted with.
4. Frequency of Posts
Look, we get the urge to be posting nonstop — you want to connect with followers, sell products, do your thing. But you must walk a fine line because excessive posting can lead to ‘post fatigue,’ where your audience feels overwhelmed and starts tuning out. This oversaturation can eventually result in alienating your followers (and prevent potential followers from following you).
We’ve all seen brands posting like spam bots 20x a day. Not a smart business move since followers may feel bombarded with the constant self-promotion.
The best approach is finding that sweet spot where you provide steady value without being overbearing. At max, schedule 2-3 posts daily mixed with Stories and Lives.
Too much looks desperate; not enough gets forgotten. The goal is keeping your audience engaged, not to annoy them.
5. Audience Demographics
Audience demographics are the bedrock of your Instagram strategy. Tailoring content to the age, interests, location, and lifestyle of your followers is key.
If your audience skews younger, they might prefer trendy, fast-paced content, whereas an older demographic might value detailed, informative posts.
Brands often miss the mark by creating generic content for everyone, which resonates with no one. So, understand who’s following you – their likes, dislikes, and online behavior. This insight allows you to make content that ensures your message isn’t just seen but felt.
How Can I Find The Best Time For Me To Post On Instagram?
Identifying the best time to post on Instagram involves understanding your audience and how the platform’s algorithm works. The Instagram algorithm prioritizes content based on factors like user engagement and the freshness of posts, meaning that posting when your audience is most active can significantly increase your content’s visibility.
If you need help identifying your audience’s peak activity, try:
- Checking Instagram Insights
- Using Premium Tools
- Experimenting Manually
1. Checking Instagram Insights
Instagram provides a native analytics tool, Instagram Insights, accessible to anyone with a business or creator account. This tool offers valuable data about your followers’ demographics and online behaviors, including when they are most active on the platform.
If you analyze this data, you’ll be able to identify patterns and pinpoint the times when your posts are likely to receive maximum engagement.
2. Using Premium Tools
Apart from Instagram’s own analytics, there are various Instagram analytic tools available in the market. These premium management tools offer deeper insights and more nuanced analytics, helping you to understand your audience better and refine your posting strategy. They often provide more detailed data, such as engagement rates, follower growth, and optimal posting times, which are crucial for tailoring your content strategy.
3. Experimenting Manually
While analytics provide a solid starting point, experimenting with your posting schedule is also essential. Use the recommended times from industry standards as a baseline, then tweak and test different posting times to see what works best for your unique audience. Keep track of engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares to gauge the effectiveness of different posting times.
When Are Instagram Users Most Active?
Sometimes, it can be helpful to know the best universal time when the most Instagram users are active. Research from Viralyft indicates that Instagram users tend to engage more actively with content during the evening, particularly around 8 pm. This period records the highest engagement rate at 7.33%, in stark contrast to the morning slot at 8 am, which sees the lowest rate of 5.53%.
Moreover, the selection of the day for posting is also significant, with Sunday emerging as the most effective day, showcasing an average engagement rate of 6.47%.
What Is The Average Time Spent Of User On Instagram?
A recent study found that American adults are spending almost 31 minutes on Instagram every day.
This daily half-hour on the popular photo and video-sharing platform shows just how ingrained social media has become in our lives. And as Instagram continues to add new features like Instagram TV and augmented reality filters, average time spent will likely increase even more in the coming years.
The short-form video and tapping into creators has proven to be an effective way to keep users opening the app again and again.
Does Posting At The Best Time Guarantee More Engagement And Views?
Yes, posting at optimal times can increase the likelihood of higher engagement and views, as it aligns with when your audience is most active. However, it’s not a guarantee. The most important factors when it comes to getting more Insta engagement and views include content quality, relevance, and your followers’ interaction patterns.
Does Timing Of Likes And Comments Matter After Posting?
Yes, the timing of likes and comments matters. Quick engagement (likes, comments) soon after posting can signal the Instagram algorithm that your content is engaging, potentially boosting its visibility in followers’ feeds.
Should I Delete Instagram Posts That Don’t Perform Well?
Deleting underperforming posts is not always necessary. Instead, use them as learning opportunities to understand what content your audience enjoys and interacts with. If you find that your Instagram engagement is dropping, it’s time to investigate the issue, adapt your strategy, and learn from the experience to enhance your approach.
Keep in mind that consistency and growth over time are more valuable than having a flawless feed.
Should I Post On Instagram In The Morning Or Night?
Whether to post during sunrise or sunset depends on your audience’s active hours. Generally, evenings can be effective for engagement, but use Instagram Insights to determine the best time for your specific audience.
What Matters Most On Instagram?
On Instagram, the quality and relevance of your content to your audience is what matters most. Authentic, engaging, and visually appealing content tailored to your audience’s interests is how you’ll get ahead on the platform. Consistent engagement and building a community around your brand also significantly contribute to success on Instagram.
Additionally, if you’re looking for an extra push, consider boosting a post. This can amplify your reach and bring your content to a wider audience, helping to increase visibility and potentially drive more engagement, making it a valuable tool for enhancing your Instagram strategy.
