What is the best time to post on Instagram?

A question we often receive from brands struggling to make a mark on one of the fastest growing social media handles in the world – Instagram, which currently boasts over 2.4 billion active users.

After analyzing more than 500 social media accounts, our team of digital marketing experts in Dubai have cracked the code to identify best day and time to post on Instagram.  We have noted that sharing posts during peak hours can result in 6.7% increase in engagement. This is why knowing the best time to post on Instagram is important for brands looking to make an impact.

Before we delve deep into the nitty-gritty, here is a sneak peak into the best times to post on Instagram on each day of a week.

After analyzing more than 500 Instagram accounts, we have crafted this post on best times to post on Instagram on each day of the week.

This post will guide you in identifying the ideal time to post on Instagram to garner maximum views, likes, share, and ultimately followers.

Is there a best time to post on Instagram?

Instagram timing is a delicate affair when it comes to engagement with a dash of competitive advantage. The term “best time to post on Instagram for likes” is realistic; it’s a game changer that can boost reach, algorithmic relevance, and interaction inherently.

On account of that idea, there is the best time to post on Instagram, and it’s always conveniently positioned at the exact time your followers will be highly active. This is the time that people on Instagram spend on their feeds, and the best thing you can do is share something worthy of their attention. The importance of this level of planning comes down to the level of engagement, which is a critical metric within the Instagram algorithm and account feed. The commotion generated through likes and comments has a ripple effect on the reach.

Still, knowing when to post on Instagram is only one side of the coin. Regular posting and exciting content are as important as timing. Your followers anticipate a constant flow of information, and the algorithm rewards frequent posting. Post high-quality content that your audience appreciates, and you’ll be a winner on Instagram. It’s all about alignment with the behavior of your audience online and your ability to generate content that is most likely to resonate with them when they are online.

When is the best time to post on Instagram?

Finding the best time to post on Instagram is like finding a secret entryway into the world of more participation and visibility. The social media scene in 2024 will be different, which means you have to think hard about how you can get the most out of your presence on Instagram.

Social media experts and data studies agree that 4 a.m. local time is the best time to post on Instagram. But what exactly makes this time so special?

It all has to do with how far Instagram reaches around the globe. If you post at 4 a.m. local time, you get early morning risers in one corner of the world joined by late-night browsers elsewhere. This method enables your content to appeal to different people during off-peak hours when there are fewer competitors for users’ attention.

Following some millions of data points from Instagram, content that is posted early in the morning tends to receive higher engagement. This could be because it offers:

• First-Mover Advantage: Morning feed checkers can focus on early publications.
• Global Reach: It also means if you consider time zones, there is a greater chance more people see your content.
• Algorithmic Affinity: In such cases, Instagram may prefer posts that are commented on or liked immediately after being posted, which takes place at this time.

However, these findings don’t tell us what to do but tell us what was found. They serve as a starting point for experimenting with post-times. The true best time to post on Instagram, however, varies between accounts and depends on its audience. This implies having in-depth knowledge about what your followers do while online, what they want most, and when they tend to engage with you.

What is the best time to post on Instagram in EST?

To comprehend the best time to post on Instagram in EST transcends the mere fact of what time your audience is awake; rather, it is about matching their daily paces and routines. For instance, when we talk about early morning times, such as 6 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. EST, one cannot be wrong because it corresponds with most people’s early morning patterns in life.

During this period, people often check their phones for updates made overnight or anything interesting that they can begin their day with.

The other strategic time is noon, especially around 12 p.m. EST. This is because people usually leave for lunch and may have some free minutes scrolling through their social media platforms. It is the time they are available not only to seek mental breaks; thus, your posts can catch their attention during this period of day.

Also, evening hours, primarily 8:00 p.m. EST, are important. Users are more likely to post or share things on social media after winding down from the day’s work and duties. It is best to make posts during this time, as it taps into the desire of the audience for some leisurely content consumption that makes them interact with what they like.

Weekend times provide a different dynamic. This implies that individuals may be found active on social media all through, despite these priority dates, including 11 am on Saturday and 7 am on Sunday, being the most effective moments. These hours can be aligned with users enjoying a slow start to their morning or spending time doing weekend activities, which also involve checking their Instagram feed and commenting on posts.

These times are not set in stone, as the best posting times on Instagram certainly differ from one account to another depending on its target market. They are just recommendations based on general trends among users living within the EST time zone. Yet your specific audience’s habits will determine when would be the ideal time to post on Instagram for you.

To optimize your reach within the EST zone, you might consider refining your posting schedule further.

When is the Best Time to Post a Reel on Instagram?

Knowing the best time to post a reel on Instagram gives you an edge in engagement and viewership. One of the factors that significantly affects audience attention and interaction is the scheduling of when to share content.

So, what exactly is the best time to post your reel on Instagram?

The answer is complex, as those interested need to pay attention to their audience, how the platform algorithm works, and good scheduling.  The best time for posting Instagram reels is during peak engagement hours. After analyzing over 500 social media accounts we have discovered that the best time to post an Instagram reel is very often in the early morning, e.g., 4 AM to 6 AM, and late in the evening, e.g., 9 PM to 11 PM. These timings are when the users are likely to engage in scrolling their feeds in the morning to start their day and while going to bed.

The weekly rhythm is equally vital when considering the best time to post your reel on Instagram. Weekdays are more active during the early morning and evening as people engage while on their way to or back from work. On the contrary, weekends are entirely different.

Strategically timing your reels to maximize visibility does more than just that. As it is set, Instagram’s algorithm often prioritizes immediate responses after something is posted. At peak engagement hours when you post your reel, there are higher chances of prompt likes, comments, and shares, which makes the algorithm recognize your content as being important and deserving a wider reach.

Thus, determining the best time to post an Instagram reel requires constant observation, experimentation, and adaptation. While generic patterns or data analysis may provide useful information, different audiences have unique needs. It is important for you to keep an eye on what your audience does online. You need to know how much they engage with you and what times are considered convenient for them through checking on related metrics; this will help in adjusting your release timetable.

What are the best times to post on Instagram by industry?

Different businesses and industries will find posting at certain times on Instagram helpful to them. Below is a summary of what time to post on Instagram for the major industries.

FMCG

The irresistible desire of food and drinks can evoke craving at any time of the day. But people usually tend to consume food or beverage three times a day, in the morning, afternoon, and night. Therefore, posting during lunch time, which is in the afternoon or during dinner time which is around 7 PM to 8 PM eventually turns into the best time to post on Instagram for likes

The best  time to post on Instagram for FMCG brands are:

Fashion

Instagram is an ideal platform for fashion brands. They can use diverse range of posts such as reels, UGC, behind the scene posts, stories, and Insta live to share the upcoming collection, fashion shows, and trends.

The best time to post on Instagram for fashion brands are:

Hospitality

Friday at midday emerges as the right time for hospitality establishments like restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies to make their posts. By doing so, they reach out to those who are already making plans for the next weekend or even vacations ahead, thus increasing promotional efficiency.

The best time to post on Instagram for hospitality brands are:

Health and Wellness

The health and fitness industry can use early mornings or evenings of weekdays to post. Due to the fact that this time people try to think about their health, decide to do some sports, and find motivation to live a healthy life, Hence, this time is easier to reach.

The best time to post on Instagram for health and Wellness brands are:

How To Find the Best Times to Post on Instagram for Your Brand?

Although post timings vary from one brand to another, but you can follow the steps listed below as they can help you in findings the best time to post on Instagram for maximizing our reach.

• Most Engaging Posts: Look at them and see when your followers are posting these on their Instagram handle.
• Instagram Insights: Another strategy to identify when to post on Instagram is through identifying at what time of the day they are mostly online.
• Look at Competitors: Other competitors that are similar in nature can also be considered in terms of their posting schedules and engagements.
• Time Zones: Adjust what time of the day you would like to post using the time zones where the majority of your audience resides.
• Consistently Post: Although knowing when to post on Instagram is important, but don’t forget this because you lose touch with those who follow you.
• Tools That Schedule Posts: Use tools that can make it easy for you to schedule posts and also help keep track of your Instagram posts.

Following these steps will not just help you in determining best day and time to post on Instagram. But they will help you in identifying post types that can bring in more views, likes, and shares.

Final Word

It can become deeply frustrating to see your thoughtfully and effortlessly crafted Instagram posts failing to capture the desired reach and engagement.  This issue usually occurs when brands fail to identify the best time to post on Instagram. However, after reading this blog, you might be well-equipped to tackle this issue. Follow the days and times discussed in this blog, and you will witness a substantial boost in reach, and with consistent efforts you will witness a substantial growth in engagement, likes, and ultimately follower count.

However, keep in mind that by posting on the best time you can only make it to the feeds of your target audiences. From there you fate is decided on the quality of the content, if it fails to WOW them, then publishing content on the best times might not generate the desired results. Therefore, to free yourself from this added burden, it is best to hire a professional and reliable social media agency that can help you curate engaging and captivating content that delights and engages your target audiences.