Does it matter to know when the best to post on Instagram is? Yes! Most definitely. In fact, keeping users swimming in beautiful, fresh content is part of Instagram’s core business model.
So if you’re looking to get more eyeballs on your posts and give your audience what they crave, aim for the best days and times to post on Instagram. It’s one of the most important factors in driving engagement on Instagram.
In this article, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about how often to post on Instagram when and how it affects engagement, and tips for timing your posts just right.
Does Instagram’s algorithm impact the best time to post on Instagram ?
In 2017, Instagram’s Thomas Dimson gave a talk (Embed video below, if you’d like, but it is highly technical) at Machine Learning @ Scale by Meta in which he explained how Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content based on recency.
The talk below is quite technical, but the biggest takeaway is that content that is posted closer to when a user opens the app is more likely to appear higher up in their feed:
So, let’s say that a user – for example – opens the app first thing in the morning to check what the latest baddies are up to.
The content that they’re going to see is going to be different than the content they will see at night. Sounds pretty straightforward, but it’s an important distinction to make.
The Instagram algorithm is designed to show users the most recent content that is most relevant to them. As such, there is a secretive balancing act going on behind the scenes in Instagram’s algorithm that weights posts based on your previous interactions, timeliness, and a number of other factors.
This is all to say that, yes, finding the best time to post on Instagram matters! If you want your content to be seen by as many people as possible, you need to be posting when your audience is most active.
How Often Should You Post?
There’s no magic number here. If you search Google for this question, you’re going to get an untold number of different answers. That’s because each target audience is different. Each niche is different. Each business is different.
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that you post regularly, around 1-2 times per day. But, as we said before, it depends on your audience and what kind of engagement you’re looking for.
Some brands post 5-10 times per day and see great results. Others post once a week and see great results. It all depends on your specific situation.
The best way to find out how often you should be posting is to experiment! Try a different Instagram marketing strategy at a time and see what gets you more likes.
When Are the Best Times to Post on Instagram?
This is a question that we get asked all the time, and the answer is the same as above: it all depends.
There are a ton of articles out there that claim to have the perfect posting schedule down to the hour and minute, but the truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution here.
The best way to find out when the best times to post are for your specific audience is… you guessed it – to experiment! Try posting at different times of the day and see when you get the most engagement.
That being said, there are a few general tips (based on the aggregation of numerous sources) that we can give you:
When is the best time to post on Instagram for a general audience?
If you’re targeting a global audience, the best time to post on Instagram is going to be early morning (around 6 am EST) and late evening (around 9 pm EST).
When is the best time to post on Instagram for a US audience?
If you’re targeting a US audience, the best time to post on Instagram is going to be during lunchtime (around 12 pm EST) and in the early evening (around 5-6 pm EST).
When is the best time to post on Instagram for a UK audience?
If you’re targeting the UK audience, the best time to post on Instagram is going to be early morning (around 7 am GMT) and late evening (around 10 pm GMT).
When is the best time to post on Instagram in Australia?
If you’re targeting an audience in Australia, the best time to post on Instagram is going to be during lunchtime (around 1 pm AEDT) and in the early evening (around 6 pm AEDT).
Of course, these are just general guidelines. The best way to find out when the best times to post are for your specific audience is, again, to experiment!
Best Time To Post Reels on Instagram
Reels have been gaining a lot of traction on Instagram lately—and for good reason. With its fifteen-second duration limit, Reels offer a quick way to catch viewers’ attention while still delivering meaningful content. Use this format for fun videos like behind-the-scenes clips or even share your tutorials.
If you want to get the most out of your Instagram Reels, make sure you’re posting them at the right time! Your audience needs to be online when you post so that they can see and interact with your content. The best time to post your Reels is in the early morning hours (7-8 am) or in the evening (6-9 pm). During these times, people are more likely to be scrolling through their feeds and engaging with what they find.
Tips For Finding The Best Time To Post On Instagram Today
We would be remiss if we dropped a bombshell of technical information on you and didn’t give you some expert tips on timing Instagram posts. So, the following are some questions you will want to ask yourself as you analyze your engagement data using Instagram engagement analytics:
When is my audience most active?
In the Audience section of Instagram Insights, you can see when your followers are most active. This is valuable information that you can use to time your posts accordingly.
When am I getting the most engagement?
Pay attention to when you’re getting the most likes, comments, and shares on your Instagram posts. These are all indications that your audience is engaged and interested in what you have to say.
When are people clicking on my links?
If you’re using CTA buttons or “link in bio” to send people to your website, pay attention to when people are clicking on those links. This will give you an indication of when people are most interested in learning more about your brand.
When am I driving the most sales?
If you’re using Instagram to sell products or services, pay attention to when you’re making sales. This will give you an indication of when people are most interested in buying from you.
One final thought to keep in mind is that your current Instagram Insights stats may not reflect the times when your followers are active. If you want to get more accurate data, it may take some deep digging on your part. But, we promise that once you begin to see the overall picture, it will be well worth the effort to have the most accurate data possible.
Tailor your content to your audience’s local time zone
To get the most out of your Instagram posts and maximize engagement, you need to make sure that you’re posting when your audience is online. The best way to do this is by setting a schedule based on their time zone so that your posts appear when they’re more likely to be active.
Keep an eye and make changes
To determine the best time for your followers, monitor how many likes and comments each post gets at different times throughout the day. You can also adjust your posting schedule if necessary to reach maximum engagement.
The Impact of Consistent Engagement in the Long Run
Consistency is also key– make sure you are regularly engaging with your followers and keeping up with hashtags or trends to build relationships within the community and help spread awareness about your brand!
With these tips, you should be able to find the best time to post on Instagram today and maximize your engagement.
Posting for Stronger Connections: Finding the Best Time to Engage on Instagram
The algorithm used by Instagram functions similarly to algorithms found on other social media platforms. Its primary goal is to present you with content that will captivate and engage you within the platform.
If you actively browse through your feed and interact with posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, the algorithm will give priority to displaying similar posts in your feed.
Conversely, if you only sporadically browse your feed or have minimal interactions with posts, the algorithm will prioritize posts from individuals with whom you have a closer connection within your network.
According to Instagram Support, the algorithm aims to present you with content that holds the most relevance to your interests, which includes content from people with whom you share strong relationships.
Considering this when posting on Instagram is crucial because the level of engagement your post receives directly impacts its visibility.
Therefore, if you aim to establish relationships with other users, it is essential to regularly engage with their posts by liking and commenting. This not only increases the chances of your post being seen by others but also signals to the algorithm that there is a relationship between the creator and the viewer.
FAQ On Best Time To Post On Instagram
What is the best time to post on Instagram?
The best time to post on Instagram is between 2 PM and 3 PM EST from Monday through Friday. However, it is important to consider your specific audience when choosing a time to post as engagement may vary by location and age group.
Does the day of the week affect engagement?
Yes, research shows that posts made on Mondays and Thursdays tend to get more engagement than on other days of the week. It is also best to avoid posting during weekends when people tend to be less active.
What should I post to get the highest engagement?
Interesting visuals are the key to successful posts on Instagram. Try creating visually appealing photos and videos that spark an emotional reaction from your followers. You can also consider using trending hashtags and posting captivating stories to capture your audience’s attention. Good luck!
How Skweezer Can Help Improve Your Posting Strategy
Once you’ve nailed down some solid days and times you want to post, it’s time to put Skweezer to work. Immediately after posting, head over to Skweezer and choose the right package for your needs. After submitting your payment, Skweezer will send your request out to our network of real Instagram users, who will happily go take a look at your newest post!
They can jumpstart the conversation with custom comments or show love with likes. As your followers witness the buzz around your new content, they’ll be curious to check it out themselves.
Within 24 hours, expect a significant surge in engagement stats, propelling you to Instagram’s Explore page and attracting more potential followers. Don’t wait! Try Skweezer today and elevate your Instagram strategy to new heights.