The Best Time to Post on Instagram Revealed
Now imagine working for hours on the perfect caption, the right photo, or the most relevant hashtags, only to have it disappear within seconds into the bug-filled void of the algorithm. Frustrating, right? The truth is, Instagram is all about timing. POST AT THE RIGHT TIME If you’re posting at the wrong time, your content isn’t getting the attention it deserves. But what if we told you that there’s a scientifically proven formula that will put you on track for the maximum amount of engagement? Read on as we reveal the best time to post on Instagram in 2024.
The Science Behind How Instagram’s Algorithm Works (And Why Timing is Key)
The algorithm of Instagram favours freshness, connection and user behaviour. The more likes and comments your post receives during the first hour, the more Instagram pushes it to a wider audience. This behavior means that if you post it when your audience is sleeping, working, or simply not scrolling, that content gets buried. Research collected on audience habit gives a glimpse that you can be powered or crushed by your own audience just by little things in your content in the social media platform like Instagram.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram (According to Data!)
Based on recent studies from Hootsuite, Later and Sprout Social, the best times to post on Instagram 2024 are as follows:
- Best Times to Maximize Post Reach: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 AM – 11 AM (During peak times for engagement)
- Reels Best Time: Monday – Thursday (Evening scrolling time) 6 PM – 8 PM
- Lowest Activity Period: Weekend, specifically Sundays before 8 am and after 10 pm
Industry Thacker: What Time Should YOU Post?
Audience behaviors vary across the board. So here’s when to post for your niche:
- E-commerce & Brands: Top 12 PM – 3 PM (Lunch Breaks!)
- Creators and Influencers: Tops From 6 PM – 9 PM (Relaxation Time in The Evening!)
- B2B & Entrepreneurs: Best over 8 AM – 10 AM (Morning Productivity Boost!)
- Fitness & Wellness: The Sweet Spot Is 5 AM — 7 AM (For You Early Birds and Gym-Goers!)
Case Study: How A Brand Tripled In Engagement
Take @HealthyBites, a small organic snack company that had low engagement. After changing their posting schedule from posting randomly in the afternoon to Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM, they were able to achieve a 300% increase in the likes, shares, and comments. Their secret? Matching their audience’s posting habits.
The Golden Rule: Test, Analyze & Optimise
Although research provides a great starting point, your best time to post is specific to your audience. Here’s how to identify what your ideal time is:
- Instagram Insights (Go to your Professional Dashboard > Insights > Followers)
- Determine Peak Activity Hours (When are the majority of your followers active?)
- Post at Different Times (Post at different time slots and track engagement)
- Measure & Optimize (If it works, do more of it!)
- Ready to Dominate Instagram? Start Posting Smarter Today!
Now that you’re aware of the best times to post it’s time to act! Change your posting times, measure the impact, and see your engagement levels adjust accordingly. Join the Stop Posting Randomly movement—stop posting randomly.
Tip: Experiment this week by attempting to post at an alternate time to see the impact on your engagement. Did engagement improve? Let us know your findings in the comments below!
