Instagram is one of the best platforms to grow your brand, connect with your audience, and increase engagement.
But have you ever wondered why some posts get tons of likes and comments while others barely make an impact?
One big reason is timing.
So, when exactly is the best time to post on Instagram? We’ll see that in this post.
But this post won’t be like all the other “Best times to post on Instagram” posts where we just tell you the times
Why Does Timing Matter?
Instagram’s algorithm favors content that gets quick engagement.
If you post when your audience is online, you have a better chance of appearing in their feed and getting more interactions.
This means more likes, comments, and shares, which boosts your visibility.
Your chances of going viral are slightly higher when your post performs better within an hour of posting.
Is There a Universal Best Time to Post on Instagram?
This is a tricky question to answer. I kinda want to say yes and no at the same time. This is because there’s a lot going on and not just the actual time itself.
Yes, there are certain times when it’s better to publish your post, such as early mornings (surprised, right?) and late evenings, because it’s when many scroll on social media.
No, because someone else’s optimal posting times may not be optimal for you. This may be attributed to the difference in time zones between you and your followers.
So even if let’s say we analyzed 10 million posts, batched them according to their posting times, and figured out which times produced the highest performing posts, those times would not apply to everyone.
But there’s good news. As we said, there are times when many people scroll through social media, such as mornings and evenings, but the even better news is that you can figure out the best times to post for you!
Let’s take a look at how you can do that
How to Find The Best Times to Post on Instagram
Instagram has a built-in feature that allows you to determine the best times to post when your followers are most active.
The caveat is that to obtain the most accurate data, you must be active on Instagram and post consistently. However, don’t worry if you’re just starting and want to know when the best times are to post in general. We’ll take a look at that too.
How to Find The Best Time to Post on Instagram on the Web
Here’s how you can find your best times to post on Instagram through the web version:
1. Log in to your Instagram account.
2. Click on Dashboard on the right sidebar.
3. On the Insights dropdown, choose Account.
4. On the Account page, scroll down until you see Followers. Right below it, you will see Most active times.
These are the active times based on your followers.
Keep in mind that the time you see on the Desktop is in Pacific Standard Time (PST)
How to Find The Best Time to Post on Instagram on the Mobile App
Here is how you can find the best times to post on Instagram through the mobile app (both Android and iOS):
1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Go to your profile page by clicking your profile on the bottom right.
3. On the profile page, click on Professional Dashboard.
4. On the insights page, click on New Followers. This is the page where you will see data about your followers.
5. Scroll down until you see Most Active Times.
The times that you see are the times when your followers are most active. When you post at these times, it increases the chances of your posts performing well.
If you’re about to start posting on Instagram or don’t have enough data yet and can’t figure out your best times to post, there are general optimal times for posting. Let’s take a look at them
The Best Times to Post on Instagram
According to many people (and posts), the best times to post are mornings and evenings.
The logic behind this is that many people check their phones in the mornings (it’s the first thing people do when they wake up), and also check their phones in the evenings after work, while commuting, and while unwinding before bed.
Another time is midday during lunchtime.
So we can conclude that the best times to post on Instagram are between 6 AM – 9 AM, 11 AM – 12 (noon), and 3 PM – 6 PM.
It is said that the best day to post on Instagram is on Monday, while the least optimal day to post is on Sunday because people are relaxing and off the app.
However, these times might vary depending on your audience’s location and habits.
Does the Type of Post Matter?
Yes! Different types of content perform better at different times:
The Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
Reels continue to be a key engagement driver on Instagram. Based on an analysis of 975K Reels, the best time to post Reels is 12 AM.
Additionally, the best day to post Reels is Monday, with high engagement between 12 AM and 6 AM.
The Best Time to Post Carousels on Instagram
With Instagram increasing the number of images per Carousel post from 10 to 20, carousels remain an effective content format.
The best time to post a Carousel is 5 AM, with Tuesday being the best day.
The Best Time to Post Stories on Instagram
Stories are best posted in the morning, where people are still lazy to scroll through their feed and late afternoon when they’re tired to scroll.
Best Time to Post by Industry
Not all businesses have the same audience. Here’s a quick look at the best times for different industries:
Travel & Tourism: Weekdays (12 PM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 9 PM)
Fashion & Apparel: Afternoons and evenings (1 PM – 2 PM, 8 PM – 9 PM)
Fitness & Wellness: Early mornings and late nights (6 AM – 8 AM, 6 PM – 10 PM)
Food & Beverage: Lunch hours and weekends (11 AM – 1 PM, 5 PM – 7 PM)
IT & Tech: Mornings and late afternoons (4 AM – 6 AM, 10 AM – 12 PM)
How to Find the Best Time for Your Audience
While the above times work well for most users, your audience may have different habits.
Here’s how you can find your perfect posting time:
- Check Instagram Insights: If you have a business or creator account, Instagram Insights will show you when your followers are most active.
- Experiment & Analyze: Try posting at different times and track engagement to see what works best.
- Consider Time Zones: If your audience is from different countries, adjust your posting schedule accordingly.
- Think About Your Audience’s Routine: Are they students? Working professionals? Parents? Their daily schedule will affect when they are most active online.
Final Thoughts
There is no universal ‘best time’ that works for everyone.
However, understanding your audience’s habits and experimenting with posting times can significantly improve your Instagram reach and engagement.
So, test out different times, track your performance, and find the best posting schedule for your content.
Happy posting!
