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Instagram has quickly become one of the fastest and easiest social networks for businesses to use to engage customers. Getting on a business account and finding your most engaging content with the right hashtags is a key step in using this platform effectively.
For many people, one of the most important things they must contend with is when to post on Instagram. But with a 24-hour a-day content production line, when is the best time to post on Instagram? Let’s dive in!
Why is it Important to Choose the Best Time to Post to Instagram?
Every network needs to post at the most optimal time. It is essential on Instagram because of how their algorithm and feed work.
The amount of engagement on Instagram (likes and comments, clicks, etc.) is a key indicator. Your post must be seen as soon as possible after it has been published. Because Instagram displays it to a portion of your active followers, this is important. It will use the interactions it generates to decide how many people should see it.
If a more significant percentage of followers engage with it first, more people will see it.
Instagram also has an Explore page. If your post generates lots of engagement, it is more likely to make it onto the Explore page. Your chances of being ranked for hashtags on Instagram will increase if you get more likes. People can also follow hashtags.
Publishing your post at the right moment can make all the difference. You will get more engagement if you publish when more people are online and ready to interact with your posts. This initial engagement will increase by many folds as you rank for hashtags and then move on to the explore page.
It is essential to rank higher for hashtags on Instagram’s explore page, losing engagement.
If you do not increase engagement, you can still generate the same level of engagement or even more.
Remember that engagement from your older posts will influence how much attention you get with your posts in the future. Instagram uses the engagement level of older posts to determine how many people your post should be shown. If you publish consistently at the best times, you will see long-term benefits.
You now know why it is so important to choose the best time to post to Instagram. I will then go into detail about when you can post to Instagram on weekdays or weekends.
When is the Best time to post on Instagram?
Between 10 AM and 3 PM, CDT is the ideal time to post Instagram photos. However, depending on the day of the week, engagement can vary greatly. Instagram’s best days are Wednesdays, especially around 11 AM and 10 AM to 11 PM on Fridays.
While 10 AM – 3 PM is the best time to post Instagram photos, it’s important to note that the day of your week can affect how many engagements you get between 10 AM and 3 PM.
Why? Consider the small changes in your mood and routine that can affect your behavior. This is true for everyone who follows your Instagram account. To show you how I mean it, here are some insights from data by Sprout social about the optimal timing of posts.
The best engagement is achieved by posting at 7:00 AM CDT on Wednesday through Friday. People often check their phones as soon as they get up.
It is also a good idea to post between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM CDT on weekdays. People often check their phones at lunch or when they feel exhausted.
Post on weekends at 10:00 AM CDT if you look for people to eat brunch with or hang out with.
Don’t just rely on this time frame when you Instagram. Take into account both the day of the week and the industry (we’ll get to the latter in a moment).
Best Time to Use Instagram Every Day:
- Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM (Though engagements are generally low on this day).
- Monday 11 AM – 2 PM
- Tuesday: 10AM – 3PM, *7PM
- Wednesday: 7 AM to 4 PM (Engagement peak at 11 AM β 2 PM).
- Thursday: 10 AM to 2 PM, 6 β 7 PM
- Friday: *9 AM to 2 PM
- Saturday 9-11 AM
* = Particularly high levels of engagement
These data can create easy marching orders from Monday through Friday, posted to Instagram between 9 AM and 4 PM. This will ensure you get consistent engagement.
Do you need a visual to help you strategize? This Sprout Social chart shows the top global Instagram Engagement hotspots.
This information is excellent for building an engaged Instagram following. Sprout Social’s research shows that there are best times to post to Instagram if your company is in the technology, education, or healthcare industries.
Key considerations when looking for the best times to post on Instagram
Day of the Week
Instagram engagement can vary between days and times. You might be surprised to find 5 AM on the list. People check their phones for messages almost as soon as they wake up during the workweek. People are more likely to check their Instagram on Mondays and Fridays than they are on weekends. However, Mondays can see lower engagement because people rush to get their week started and have less time to check Instagram before work.
Breaks during the Workday
Many people check Instagram during work breaks, especially at lunchtime.
Similar results can be seen in people’s work interest, which drops in the afternoon. Many turn to Instagram instead.
Use time zones to your advantage.
Your posting times will be less important the larger your audience is. If your target audience lives in one place, you should use that time zone for your Instagram posting times.
You want to post an Instagram photo at wake-up.
Follow Your Audience
These posting times are good guidelines. These posting times may not apply to your account if you have a different audience than the average audience.
Instagram Insights is available to all business accounts that have an Instagram Business account. You can find information about your audience’s most active times on Instagram Insights by going to the Followers section. This information is essential, and you should structure your posting to reflect it.
Later and other social media management platforms include data on when your Instagram audience is online.
Frequency of posting on Instagram
If you want your Instagram account to look fresh, you need to post frequently. You can post up to three posts per week. You should share various post types so that you donβt seem too interested in making sales. However, quality over quantity is what you should be focusing on.
Different sectors prefer different times for postings
To make matters worse, the sector you work in will determine your best posting times. HubSpot data, for example, shows clear variations.
- Best Times to Post on Instagram for Technology Companies: Wednesday at 10 AM
- Best Times to Post on Instagram for B2C Companies: Saturday at 11 AM and 1 PM
- Best Times to Post on Instagram for Educational Organizations: Monday at 8 PM
- Best Times to Post on Instagram for Healthcare Companies: Tuesday at 1 PM
- Best Times to Post on Instagram for Non-Profit Organizations: Tuesday at 3 PM and 9 PM, Wednesday at 3 PM and 4 PM, Thursday at 2 PM & 3 PM, and Friday at 10 AM & 2 PM.
Sprout Social examines a few other sectors.
Best Time to Post on Instagram For Consumer Goods Companies: Wednesday, 3 PM
For Media Companies, Friday at 9 is the best time to post on Instagram.
FAQs
What’s the worst time to post on Instagram?
The worst time to post on Instagram is when it’s in the middle of the night. Some people are asleep, while others are awake and scrolling through their feeds.
Should I post every day on Instagram?
It’s up to you. If you are using it as a platform for your art or lifestyle, then the more the better. For me, I like to keep it light and not post more than once a day. There is no set number of times you should post, but it’s up to you.
What happens if you post too much on Instagram?
The only possible consequence of posting too much on Instagram is that it might get boring for other people to watch. They might not want to follow you anymore because you are not providing enough interesting content to keep their attention. If this happens, then it’s time to step back and reevaluate what you are doing.
What should you not post on Instagram?
Instagram is a place for all your friends and family to see pictures of your life. Make sure you are not posting anything private or scandalous that might cause people to judge you or start rumors.
Conclusion
That’s our guide about the best time to post on Instagram. We hope this was helpful!
Remember that when you post it’s important to be creative and provide quality content. Remember also not to post anything too private or scandalous because this could cause people to judge you or start rumors.
Lastly, make sure your photos are well done and of high quality. Posting too many photos or poorly lit photos will turn people off to your account.
Thank you for reading our article! Please leave a comment if you have any questions!
