The best time to post on Instagram (IG) can vary depending on your audience, content type, and goals. However, general trends and studies show some common patterns for optimal posting times.
Best Days to Post on Instagram:
- Wednesday: Midweek tends to see the highest engagement, with Wednesday being particularly popular.
- Thursday: Another strong day for engagement, as many users are active in the latter part of the week.
- Friday: As the week winds down, many users are more active and engaged.
Best Times to Post:
Studies often point to the following times (in your local time zone):
- Morning: Between 9 AM – 11 AM
- This is when people are likely to check their phones after waking up or during their morning commute.
- Midday: Around 1 PM – 2 PM
- Many people check social media during their lunch breaks, so posting around this time can capture that midday engagement.
- Evening: Between 7 PM – 9 PM
- After work or dinner hours, users are more relaxed and likely to engage with content on their phones.
Other Factors to Consider:
- Audience Location: If your audience is spread across different time zones, you may want to experiment with posting times based on the location of your most engaged followers.
- Consistency: Posting consistently at these times can help build an audience who knows when to expect your content.
- Instagram Insights: If you have a business account, use Instagram Insights to see when your followers are most active, and tailor your posting schedule accordingly.
- Content Type: Some types of content, like stories, may perform well at different times of the day compared to regular posts, as stories are more immediate.
Experimentation:
While these are general guidelines, the best strategy is to experiment and monitor engagement levels. Testing various days and times while tracking which posts get the most likes, comments, and shares can help fine-tune your posting schedule for your specific audience.