Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. For brands and influencers, determining the best time to post content is crucial for maximizing reach and engagement.
But When Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram For Maximum Likes?
This tutorial will give you the best answer to the most asked question.
So read the complete guide.
How does Posting Time impact performance?
Posting at strategic times when your target audience is most active on the platform can significantly affect how well your content performs. The key reasons why timing matters include:
- Increased visibility: Posting when more people are active on Instagram means more users will see your post in their feeds.
- Improved engagement rates: Users tend to engage more with posts when browsing during peak times. This signals to the Instagram algorithm that your content is relevant.
- More reach: Getting lots of engagement shortly after posting gives your content a better chance of appearing on the Instagram Explore page and hashtag feeds.
In short, strategic timing leads to better visibility, engagement, and overall reach for your Instagram posts.
When Are Users Most Active on Instagram?
So when exactly are users more active on Instagram?
While times vary depending on the target audience, Instagram typically sees peak daily usage:
- Early mornings around 8-9 AM
- Lunch hours around 12 PM
- After work hours, around 5-6 PM
Weekdays, especially around midweek, tend to see more usage than weekends. Instagram usage also depends heavily on time zones—what may be a peak time for those in New York likely differs from peak times for users in LA.
When Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram (Day-By-Day)
Here is an overview of the top recommended posting times on Instagram for each day of the week:
Best Times to Post on Instagram Monday
Mondays tend to see high Instagram usage as people scroll through their feeds to start their week. The best times to post include:
- 8-10 AM when people check their feeds in the morning
- 1-3 PM during weekday lunch hours
- 5-6 PM after work before the evening commute
Best Times to Post on Instagram Tuesday
Engagement on Tuesdays is similar to Mondays. Aim to post at:
- 7-9 AM in the early morning
- 1-3 PM over the lunch break
- 5-6 PM after people finish work
Best Times to Post on Instagram: Wednesday
Midweek days like Wednesday continue to be optimal posting days. Target:
- 7-9 AM
- 12-2 PM
- 4-6 PM
Later in the afternoon, it tends to be especially high-performing.
Best Times Post on Instagram Thursday
As the end of the workweek approaches, engagement stays strong on Thursdays. Ideal times include:
- 7-9 AM
- 12-2 PM
- 3-5 PM
Best Times to Post on Instagram Friday
On Fridays, the early morning and after-work evenings continue to perform well. But levels tend to dip some during 9-5 working hours. Schedule posts for:
- 8-10 AM
- 12-1 PM
- 5-7 PM
Best Times to Post on Instagram Saturday
Weekends, particularly Saturdays, show dips in Instagram usage and engagement levels. But the afternoon is still reasonably strong. Aim for:
- 9-11 AM
- 1-3 PM
Best Times to Post on Instagram Sunday
Depending on your audience and whether they use Instagram more for personal or professional interests, Sundays can vary. In general, the early afternoon tends to be a good time slot for:
- 9 AM-12 PM
- 2-4 PM
Other Factors Impacting Ideal Posting Time
While these general recommendations provide a good starting point, a few other factors also influence when your audience is most active on Instagram:
1. Audience Location & Time Zones
Peak Instagram usage times vary across geographic locations and time zones. Look at their local peak times if your target audience is primarily in one area.
2. Audience Interests & Habits
Those checking Instagram for personal interests may be more active on weekends vs. weekdays. Some industries also have unique cycles that shift ideal posting times.
3. Content-Type
The type of post and what response you want can shift the best times, too—for instance, posting educational content midweek during working hours vs. promotional content on weekends.
How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Instagram
While these general posting time recommendations are a good starting point, analyzing your specific audience data is key for optimizing your timing.
There are two main ways to research and determine your unique best times to post on Instagram:
1. Use Instagram Insights
Instagram offers Insights for business profiles and creator accounts. In the app, go to your profile → Insights → Content Hours to view:
- Which hours and days of the week your followers are most active
- How your posts have performed at different times
Use these learnings to refine your posting schedule.
2. Use an Instagram Analytics Tool
Third-party analytics tools like Iconosquare offer more robust analytics. Features allow you to:
- See detailed data on the best days and times for engagement
- Compare how different posts performed based on publish times
- Identify trends and optimize your posting strategy
Iconosquare offers a free version or paid plans if you want access to more data.
Tips for Posting at the Best Times
Once you’ve used your Instagram Insights and third-party analytics to determine your ideal posting times, keep these tips in mind:
- Test different times to keep refining your understanding of when your audience engages.
- Use scheduling tools like Later or Hootsuite to plan and publish content for strategically determined times easily.
- Consider time zones if targeting an international audience across different geographical locations.
- Be consistent with posting so fans know when to expect new content.
Schedule Your Instagram Content for Max Impact
As an overview, some of the top times for engagement tend to be:
- Monday-Thursday: 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM, 5-7 PM
- Fridays: 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-7 PM
- Saturdays: 9-11 AM, 1-3 PM
- Sundays: 9 AM-12 PM, 2-4 PM
However, analyze your audience Insights and third-party analytics to find your truly personalized best times to post on Instagram. From there, use scheduling tools to plan and publish content designed for high performance easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions.
Q1. What is the best time to post on Instagram for likes?
To maximize likes, focus on posting from Monday-Thursday around:
8-10 AM
12-2 PM
5-7 PM
These tend to be the highest traffic times when users are most actively scrolling and engaging.
Q2. What is the best time to post on Instagram on Saturday?
Saturdays tend to see lower Instagram usage and engagement levels. But the key time slots are:
9-11 AM
1-3 PM
Q3. What is the best time to post on Instagram on Sunday?
On Sundays, aim to post between:
9 AM-12 PM
2-4 PM
Many users check Instagram over Sunday afternoons in particular.
Q4. What is a good time to post on Instagram today?
The best times vary by day, depending on your audience. Check your Instagram Insights for today’s top hours based on your past performance data and audience activity. Then, use a social media scheduler to plan posts at those peak times.
Conclusion
We hope this “When Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram” article has given you complete information. We tried to provide you with the best possible answer in this detailed article.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can write to us.