Over the last several years, Instagram's algorithm has been altered several times, making it far more difficult to share visible posts on the platform. Its users are constantly figuring out the best and worst time to post on Instagram. It prioritizes postings from users' friends and family, with business messages having a lower possibility of getting placed in people's queues. It gives even less weight to business posts that contain links that will redirect users away from the Instagram app.
Businesses that want to flourish on Instagram must master the platform. And that includes determining the optimal time to publish on Instagram, i.e., when people check their Instagram accounts but not at the same time as most people publish their Instagram material.
Is There a Perfect Time?
That is a difficult balancing act. Do you want to make your post visible when most people are checking their Instagram accounts, even if all of your rivals are doing the same thing? Should you instead focus on publishing your material at a slower user engagement time, without regard for the opposition, even if this means fewer people will be checking their Instagram feeds for new stuff?
This is something you could figure out on your own. Schedule your posts for at least a month at various times (ideally over 24 hours, seven days a week). Keep track of your participation during the trial term. Is there any discernible pattern - a "best" time on a "best" day?
What the Data Can Tell Us
The majority of the research we looked at determined an "ideal" time for you to post on Instagram. Please keep in mind that they are dependent on your time zone, and not all postings recommend the same time zone. The majority of these polls reported findings in CT (Central Time US).
Although you'll probably post more than once a week, research shows that the ideal times to post on Instagram are:
- The optimal time is between 2 and 3 p.m. on Thursday.
- 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and 10-11 a.m. on Fridays.
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST, based on an analysis of 12 million posts.
Given the differences across research, it's advisable to consider a wider range of time frames rather than a single ideal time to post on Instagram. You'll be posting more than once a week anyway if you want to succeed.
While these are the greatest times to publish on average, it's crucial to determine your specific best times, depending on your particular audience, if you want to receive the most engagement. On Instagram, timeliness has always been vital, but now it's even more so with the new Instagram algorithm.
Because Instagram now prioritizes "new" material in people's feeds, posting when the majority of your followers are online and reading the app is your best bet for getting your material in front of them. You can control the system to enhance your reach and gain more likes and followers by doing so.
Importance of Engagement
On Instagram, engagement is usually your priority. Even though each business is different, most brands want to increase their Instagram interaction as much as possible. Likes and comments are two types of traditional Instagram interaction. People have lately begun to add views, shares, and direct messages to their posts. The aforementioned forms of interactions from Instagram spin-offs, such as Instagram Stories and IGTV, can then be added.
Compelling Content
The distinction between content and compelling content is critical to increasing your brand’s influence on the social media platform. One of the essential takeaways from the above numbers is that generating content for the sake of generating anything is pointless. Engaging material can perform very well and achieve high engagement rates. Content that isn't unique isn't worth the time and effort it takes to create.
You must factor in publishing times. You might be able to come up with interesting stuff. However, if you share it at an inopportune moment, no one will see it. People can't like, share, or comment on something they don't see.
There will have been much wonderful stuff published on Instagram over the years that must have gone unnoticed, simply because no one had the chance to realize how excellent it was. With the current Instagram algorithm, this is even more important.
Key Points to Remember
When looking for the best times to post on Instagram, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Which Day of the Week Receives the Highest Engagement?
Even at the same time, there might be considerable fluctuation in Instagram interaction on various days of the week. The reason for this is, throughout the week, individuals frequently check their phones for messages as soon as they get up.
Are There Workday Interruptions?
Many individuals check their Instagram accounts during their lunch periods, especially at midday. In the same way, people's enthusiasm for their jobs wanes in the late afternoon, and many of them turn to Instagram instead.
Take Advantage of Time Zones
The more geographically diverse your audience is, the less important publishing times become. If your target audience is based in a single time zone, make sure you utilize that time zone to configure your Instagram posting times, even if it isn't your own.
Keep an Eye on Your Target Market
In Instagram Insights, go to the Followers area to learn more about when your audience is most active on the network.
It's like a loop: your audience becomes accustomed to seeing your brand in their feed, likes your content, and engages with it. Showing up on Instagram regularly builds credibility, trust, and a genuine relationship. The algorithm also notices when you have a real relationship with your audience.
