Numerous individuals are curious about the optimal times for posting on Instagram. Given Instagram’s visually-driven platform, it serves as an appealing marketing venue for brands aiming to showcase their products to a broad audience. Understanding the ideal posting times on Instagram can significantly enhance your overall social media strategy.
Keep in mind: as Instagram operates as a platform for discovering trends, brands, and services, it’s crucial to showcase high-quality images and content to potential customers at the most advantageous moments.
Discover how to determine your prime posting times on Instagram with a free trial of Sprout Social and experiment with our ViralPost® feature.
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Disclaimer: Data sourced from Sprout Social incorporates users from diverse plan types, industries, and locations. All time periods are noted globally (not according to Central Time), suggesting you can publish at the stated times in any time zone and achieve favorable engagement outcomes. Engagement figures represent the total interactions a brand received on a given channel within that hourly slot. Industry-specific analytics reveal mid- to high-level engagement times. We suggest experimenting with your accounts to ascertain the most effective posting times.
What are the optimal posting times on Instagram in 2024?
- Ideal times for Instagram posts:
- Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- Fridays at 11 a.m.
- Best days to post on Instagram: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Least favorable days to post on Instagram: Sundays
While Facebook has historically been the preferred platform for global marketers, Instagram now ranks second with 80% usage. Interestingly, Instagram shares first place with Facebook as the platforms providing the highest ROI for marketers at 29%. This trend reflects the ongoing evolution of social media in tandem with e-commerce, creating seamless experiences for users. Despite the intensifying rivalry for short-form video content between Instagram and TikTok, Reels continue to garner more likes and saves compared to traditional Instagram posts.
The best times for Instagram posts generally occur on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extended engagement on Tuesdays and Wednesdays up to 4 p.m. We advise scheduling your posts from Tuesdays to Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the best interaction. It’s prudent to verify these benchmarks against your current data as well.
Instagram has significantly evolved since its early days focused solely on photos. The app, boasting 2 billion monthly active users, serves as a platform for sharing a variety of content types, including images, videos, Reels, and live broadcasts, among others creative content forms. It also facilitates partnerships with other brands and offers revenue streams through its e-commerce functionalities.
The Instagram algorithm can be unpredictable. Achieving success on the platform entails a consistent output of high-quality content that resonates with and entertains your audience. This may seem demanding for each content piece published, but using these principles can bolster your Instagram marketing efforts.
What are the optimal times for posting Reels on Instagram?
Are the ideal posting times for Instagram different for Reels compared to static posts? There may be a specific answer, but our data encompasses posts, Stories, and Reels. The insights provided in this piece should assist you in discovering advantageous times for any content type on Instagram to enhance engagement, whether it’s a static post, a Story with polls, or a creative Reel.
Similar to the data mentioned earlier, the best times to post Reels on Instagram fall on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with increased engagement on Tuesdays and Wednesdays extending to 4 p.m. Our optimal posting time data combines insights for Posts, Reels, and Stories — both images and videos.
This rationale supports our suggestion to test posting Reels at various times to identify your peak engagement periods. Consider that multiple elements affect Reels’ performance, including the use of trending sounds, the Instagram algorithm, or having an engaging video hook to seize your audience’s attention.
What is the prime day and time for Instagram posts?
We are aware of the overall best times to post on Instagram, but what about for each day of the week?
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Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Fridays at 11 a.m.
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Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
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Sundays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Monday
The prime time for Instagram posts on Mondays is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., coinciding with typical lunch breaks, although engagement is robust from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Tuesday
The best time for Instagram posts on Tuesday is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., yielding nearly double the engagement compared to Mondays.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Wednesday
The best posting hours for Instagram on Wednesdays range from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., showcasing the highest engagement time of the week.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Thursday
On Thursdays, the best posting periods are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again at 2 p.m. Engagement drops slightly in the 1 p.m. hour.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Friday
The peak time to post on Instagram on Fridays is at 11 a.m., but engagement nearly matches that of the hours just before and after this peak time.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Saturday
The best posting times on Instagram for Saturdays range from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but weekends generally yield lower engagement compared to weekday numbers.
Optimal Instagram posting time on Sunday
The best time to post on Instagram on Sundays is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., yet similar to Saturdays, we’ve observed reduced engagement throughout the day.
What is the best time for Instagram posts in the UK?
The overall prime time for Instagram posts in the UK falls on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Engagement levels remain high until 4 p.m. midweek. The weekends tend to be noticeably quieter across various social platforms, including Instagram within the UK. Keeping this in mind, the ideal posting times on Saturdays are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays. If Instagram is the platform where your UK audience is most engaged, factor in your industry, business objectives, and content strategy, as these will influence the success of your posts.
What are the optimal posting times on Instagram by industry?
There isn’t a concrete answer regarding the best times to post on Instagram. We can only provide insights based on available data. Industry is merely one aspect influencing the success of your posts. It’s also important to consider your target audience, business goals, and the nature of the content itself.
Utilize this industry-level data to shape your publication schedule, and test your optimal posting times with social experiments.
Best Instagram posting times for hospitals & healthcare
- Optimal Instagram posting times for Hospitals & Healthcare:
- Mondays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Most effective days to post on Instagram for Hospitals & Healthcare: Tuesdays through Fridays
- Least favorable days to post on Instagram for Hospitals & Healthcare: Sundays
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers utilize social media beyond crisis navigation. They leverage social platforms to educate the public, make patients feel more reassured about healthcare appointments, promote their programs for aspiring healthcare professionals, and position themselves as community pillars.
The ideal Instagram posting times for healthcare institutions have nearly tripled compared to previous years. Hospitals, healthcare facilities, and clinics typically enjoy average to above-average engagement from 8 a.m. up until 10 p.m. Most effective times for healthcare posting typically occur on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For precise timing, refer to the table above.
Healthcare social media resources
Best Instagram posting times for restaurants
- Best Instagram posting times for Restaurants:
- Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Most effective days to post on Instagram for Restaurants: Weekdays
- Least favorable days to post on Instagram for Restaurants: Weekends
The rise in online orders and usage of delivery service apps over recent years has transformed how restaurants engage with their audiences, leading to over twice the engagements on Instagram compared to last year’s figures. Target audience and platform goals are critical for how businesses interact with their customers, whether through special promotions or updates.
Engagement for the food and beverage industry is heavily centered around lunch hours during weekdays. The ideal Instagram posting times for restaurants span from Mondays through Fridays, primarily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Restaurant social media resources
Best Instagram posting times for schools & education
- Best Instagram posting times for Schools & Education:
- Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and at 9 p.m.
- Best days to post on Instagram for Schools & Education:
- Wednesdays
- Worst days to post on Instagram for Schools & Education:
- Sundays
Universities, higher education institutions, and schools have seen a marked increase in high engagement times on Instagram compared to last year’s analysis. It’s essential to note that some educational institutions manage multiple social profiles (per college, athletics, etc.) to satisfy these unique audience needs efficiently.
Schools exhibit substantial engagement opportunities during typical school hours as well as in the evenings. Consistent engagement occurs from Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. The hours featuring the highest interactions, indicating the best Instagram posting times for schools, are on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and at 9 p.m.
From highlighting student activities to sharing vital school updates, a comprehensive social media strategy for educational institutions needs to serve multiple purposes: connecting with current and prospective students while keeping an eye on brand health.
Schools and education social media resources
Best Instagram posting times for travel & hospitality
- Best Instagram posting times for Travel & Hospitality:
- Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m.
- Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Best days to post on Instagram for Travel & Hospitality:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Least favorable days to post on Instagram for Travel & Hospitality:
- None; all days see moderate engagement
The travel and hospitality sectors have doubled their engagement on Instagram compared to last year. Hospitality companies have adjusted their strategies in line with the ongoing post-pandemic surge in travel, and they are witnessing positive outcomes throughout most hours of the day.
Ideal posting times for Instagram within the travel and hospitality sectors showcase average engagement from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. nearly every day of the week. Nonetheless, the two peak days for posting are Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Travel and hospitality social media resources
- Navigating social media and hospitality: How three brands provide top-tier experiences
- How Sprout Social supports NJ TRANSIT in maintaining their social strategy
- Scaling with success: How Loews Hotels & Co employs Sprout Social’s all-in-one platform
- Setting up an effective social media marketing strategy for travel
- Strategies for managing various social media accounts
How to pinpoint your optimal Instagram posting times
Social media marketers can enhance content planning by being equipped with analytics. As platforms continue to evolve, so too will the manner in which brands and consumers engage with social media, or vice versa. Staying updated with new content formats and trends can help you reach your audience in innovative ways or discover new segments and personas that previously went unnoticed.
How to determine your best Instagram posting times using Insights
While you might be inclined to post during the suggested peak engagement times as part of your strategy, consider aligning this data with your own Instagram analytics. You may identify that your target audience is engaging at different times than the general trends suggest.
If you currently have a creator or business account, you can identify your prime posting times using Instagram Insights by following these steps:
- From your profile, click ≡ in the upper right corner.
- Select Insights.
- Tap on the metrics listed under the Overview section or for specific content you’ve shared for further details. Here, tap Total Followers and scroll to view their most active times.
How to unearth your optimal Instagram posting times using Sprout Social
A social media management platform like Sprout Social can empower you to delve into your analytics and sculpt targeted insights for your brand accounts across various networks, both globally and individually. Gain competitive advantages by benchmarking your performance against your competitors to uncover fresh engagement opportunities.
Through features like post tagging and cross-network reporting, you can differentiate various factors such as post author or content types and analyze how your posting times impact your social media success.
Sprout’s patented ViralPost® technology employs the same data insights we have utilized to assess all our customer accounts to pinpoint the best posting times tailored to your account. ViralPost® automatically determines the timings for our Optimal Send Times feature, an option available across all plans. Our proprietary machine learning capabilities have been ongoing, with continual updates and product improvements aimed at assisting brands in uncovering insights efficiently. Our ultimate goal is to empower users to work more effectively with our product.
With Optimal Send Times, the specific suggestions are based on when your audience is most active, using your posting history for accuracy. ViralPost® is continuously refined and updated to save you the hassle of repeated analyses while allowing you to focus on producing great content.
Want to observe it in action? Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Sprout Social or request a tailored demo to experience it firsthand.
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If you seek additional insights from this year’s study of our customer data, explore our findings on the best times to post across eight industries on various networks:
How Sprout collected the data
We recognize that these reports may prompt queries about the origins of our data. Therefore, we aim to clarify the information we gathered and the methodology behind it.
Sprout Social’s Data Science team compiles this data by analyzing nearly 2 billion engagements across 400,000 social profiles on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
The article Best times to post on Instagram in 2024 first appeared on Sprout Social.
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