When it comes to Instagram, timing can make a significant difference in your engagement levels. The right posting time isn’t just a trivial detail; it can be the ultimate game-changer. Our comprehensive guide on the best times to post on Instagram in 2024, enriched with a detailed heatmap, will unveil the secrets behind optimal Instagram engagement.
Imagine spending hours crafting stellar content only to post it in a low-visibility slot—definitely not what you want. Strategic timing of Instagram Stories, reels, feed posts, and carousels is crucial. If your post hits your audience’s feed when they’re active, the chances of boosting engagement dramatically increase.
After analyzing the median engagement rate of over 5.5 million Instagram posts via Buffer, we’ve identified the most effective days and times to post—backed by rigorous data. Let’s delve into these valuable insights and tailor the best posting times for you, be it you’re a marketer, creator, influencer, or a casual user.
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Optimal Posting Time on Instagram
Before we jump into the numbers, it’s essential to understand why engagement matters on Instagram. Each section—from the main feed to Stories, Reels, and the Explore page—operates under distinct algorithms. One universal metric they share is the importance of engagement.
Engagement in the form of likes, comments, shares, and saves signals to Instagram’s algorithms that your content is captivating. Consequently, Instagram promotes your posts to a wider audience, including the public discovery areas, Explore, and Reels. This amplification leads to swift Instagram growth.
While the importance of posting time has slightly diminished with the end of the chronological feed, it remains a critical component of your social media strategy. Knowing the best times to post on Instagram can enhance your content’s visibility and success.
Strategic Posting Times for Instagram
The data indicates that the best time to post on Instagram is generally between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays. Posts during these hours garner the highest engagement, likely because users check their phones first thing in the morning or during their commute.
The heatmap above confirms that audience behavior on Instagram follows predictable patterns depending on the day of the week. Dark green spots indicate peak engagement times, whereas lighter areas show low engagement periods.
Adaptive to time zones, these recommended posting times are universally relevant. Whether you’re in EST, PST, or IST, you can rely on Buffer’s research for optimal posting slots.
Quick Summary of the Best Times to Post
- Monday: 7 a.m.
- Tuesday: 7 a.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m.
- Thursday: 7 a.m.
- Friday: 4 p.m.
- Saturday: 7 a.m.
- Sunday: 7 p.m.
Optimal Monday Posting Time
Your best bet for posting on Instagram on Mondays is between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Engagement also peaks slightly at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Peak Engagement Time on Monday: 7 a.m.
Optimal Tuesday Posting Time
Tuesday mornings at 7 a.m. are prime time for engagement. A secondary, albeit smaller, peak occurs around 6 p.m.
- Peak Engagement Time on Tuesday: 7 a.m.
Optimal Wednesday Posting Time
On Wednesdays, engagement peaks between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. There’s no significant engagement later in the day.
- Peak Engagement Time on Wednesday: 7 a.m.
Optimal Thursday Posting Time
Thursday’s engagement peaks at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 4 p.m., showcasing the best times to capture your audience’s attention.
- Peak Engagement Time on Thursday: 7 a.m.
Optimal Friday Posting Time
Friday offers multiple opportunities for high engagement: between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and again at 4 p.m., making it the best day to post.
- Peak Engagement Time on Friday: 4 p.m.
Optimal Saturday Posting Time
On Saturdays, 7 a.m. is most effective, although engagement lags compared to weekdays. Engagement also tends to pick up between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Peak Engagement Time on Saturday: 7 a.m.
Optimal Sunday Posting Time
Sundays show higher engagement during the evening hours, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mornings are generally quieter as users relax.
- Peak Engagement Time on Sunday: 7 p.m.
Buffer’s social media management tools make it easy to experiment with these times. Schedule your posts, analyze their performance, and fine-tune your strategy for your unique audience.
Best Day to Post on Instagram
Monday and Friday come out ahead as the best days to post on Instagram, with the highest engagement levels. Conversely, weekends lag behind, with Saturday and Sunday showing the lowest engagement rates.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
Reels tend to perform best between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays. However, for optimal engagement, consider the type of content and when your audience is most likely to be entertained.
For a slight edge, try posting Reels during evening hours when followers have more time to engage before bedtime.
What Type of Content Performs Best on Instagram?
Data confirms video content, particularly Reels, outperforms carousels and photos. This is validated by Instagram itself, emphasizing that engaging, consistent Reels are the most effective for audience growth.
How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Instagram
While general guidelines are helpful, identifying the best time for your specific audience is essential. Examine your engagement data to discover patterns unique to your followers.
Buffer can be immensely beneficial here. Use Buffer Analytics to uncover optimal posting times tailored for your account.
Buffer Analytics
Buffer’s analytics offer deep insights into the best times to post on Instagram, revealing peak engagement periods and much more.
- Access analyze.buffer.com on your desktop and log in to your Buffer account.
- Select Instagram from the left menu to explore key data points about your post performance and audience demographics.
Instagram Insights
Utilize Instagram’s built-in analytics to track the most active times for your followers directly in the app:
- Navigate to your profile and click the hamburger menu on the top right.
- Select Insights and then Total followers.
- Scroll to Most active times to examine active hours.
Ensure you have a Business or Creator account to access these insights.
FAQs on the Best Time to Post on Instagram
Does the Time You Post on Instagram Matter?
Absolutely! Our analysis of over 5 million posts shows that timing impacts engagement. However, timing alone isn’t enough; ensure your content quality is high to maximize results.
When is the Best Time Not to Post on Instagram?
Avoid posting overnight (10 p.m. – 5 a.m.) when engagement plummets. Weekends generally show lower activity, but you can find some high-engagement slots on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings.
Is It Better to Post Early or Late on Instagram?
Early mornings (7 a.m. – 8 a.m.) on weekdays are optimal, with late-day slots (4 p.m. and 6 p.m.) also showing good engagement metrics.
What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram Today?
For weekdays, 7 a.m. is generally ideal, except for Fridays when 4 p.m. is best. On weekends, post at 7 a.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
When is the Best Time to Post in My Country or Time Zone?
The times suggested are universally relevant, thanks to Buffer’s data scientists. Whether you’re in New York or New Delhi, the best times apply to your local time zone.
How Often Should I Post on Instagram?
Consistency is key. Aim for one to two Instagram Stories daily and a few in-feed posts weekly. Experiment to find the schedule that works best for your audience.
Your Checklist for High-Performing Instagram Posts
Timing is just one part of a successful Instagram strategy. For comprehensive success, consider the following:
- Utilize New Features: Platforms reward users who adopt new features.
- Experiment with Content Types: Try different formats to see what works best.
- Craft Compelling Captions: Long or very short captions with emojis boost engagement.
- Use Hashtags: They increase visibility and engagement.
- Engage Authentically: Focus on meaningful interactions with your audience.
- Analyze Performance: Use insights to refine your strategy continually.
What best practices have you found most effective in determining the best time to post on Instagram? Share your insights with us @buffer across all social platforms!
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