What’s better than a PB&J sandwich?
Knowing the best time to post on Instagram so you look like a social media hero.
Instagram is one of the most powerful platforms for engaging with your audience, with over 2 billion monthly active users globally. Knowing the best times to post can be a game-changer, maximizing your Instagram reach and engagement.
When you post at the right times, your content is more likely to be seen by your followers, leading to higher interaction rates and a stronger online presence. Understanding these insights is important because they allow you to connect with your audience when they are most active, increasing the chances of your posts being liked, shared, and commented on.
By optimizing your posting schedule, you can enhance your brand’s visibility, foster better engagement, and ultimately drive more conversions.
Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm
Before diving into the best times to post, it’s crucial to understand how Instagram’s algorithm works. The platform prioritizes content based on several factors, including:
- Engagement: Posts with higher likes, comments, and shares are more likely to appear at the top of users’ feeds.
- Recency: Newer posts are given preference.
- Relationship: Content from accounts with which users frequently interact is prioritized.
- Relevance: Instagram shows content that it believes will be most interesting to the user based on past behavior.
Best Times to Post on Instagram
Several studies have analyzed the best times to post on Instagram, and while the results can vary, some general trends have emerged.
Weekdays vs. Weekends
- Weekdays tend to see higher engagement rates compared to weekends.
- Monday to Friday, particularly around mid-week (Wednesday and Thursday), often show the highest engagement.
Time of Day
- Morning (9 – 11 AM) and late evening (7-10 PM) are prime times for posting.
- Lunchtime (12 PM – 3 PM) is also a good window, as many users check their feeds during breaks.
Industry-Specific Trends
- For businesses in the B2B sector, posting during business hours (9 AM – 5 PM) on weekdays is effective.
- B2C companies often see better engagement outside of traditional work hours.
The Best Times to Post on Instagram Cheat Sheet
The optimal times to post on Instagram are from 12-3 PM or 6-9 PM. Friday tops the list for engagement, with Saturday and Sunday also performing well. Posting in the evening, between 6 PM and 8:59 PM, often sees particularly high engagement levels.
Worst Time to Post on Instagram
According to a HubSpot report, the worst time to post on Instagram is between 6 AM and 8:59 AM, and the worst days are Mondays and Tuesdays. This trend holds true across both B2B and B2C industries.
Example
A fashion brand that optimized its posting schedule based on these insights.
Initial Posting Schedule:
- Random times throughout the week
- Engagement rate: 2.5%
Optimized Posting Schedule:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:05 AM, 1 PM, and 8 PM
- Engagement rate: 4.8%
Results:
- The brand saw a 92% increase in engagement by aligning their posts with peak activity times.
Tips for Finding Your Best Times to Post
While general trends can be a helpful starting point, it’s essential to tailor your posting schedule to your specific audience. Here are some tips to find the best posting times:
- Analyze Your Insights: Use Instagram Insights to monitor when your followers are most active. This feature provides data on the days and times your audience is online.
- Experiment with Posting Times: Test different times and track the performance of your posts. Adjust your schedule based on what works best for your audience.
- Use Scheduling Tools: Tools like Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer can help you plan and schedule your posts in advance. They also provide analytics to fine-tune your posting strategy.
- Consider Time Zones: If your audience is spread across different time zones, ensure your posts reach as many followers as possible by staggering your posting times.
Finding the best times to post on Instagram can significantly impact your engagement and reach. By understanding the general trends and tailoring your strategy to your specific audience, you can optimize your posting schedule for maximum impact.
Use the insights and tools available to continually refine your approach and stay ahead of the competition.
