You’ve crafted the perfect post—stunning image, catchy caption, and of course, all the right #hashtags. But the question remains, when should you hit ‘share’?
It’s true that timing is important on Instagram. Posting at the right moment could be the difference between your content going viral or getting lost in the feed. The Instagram algorithm tends to favor accounts that consistently post at the optimal time, which makes it easier to reach more Instagram followers.
What is the best time to post on Instagram? The quick answer: it depends.
The 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM post schedule is often seen as the golden window, but the best way to find your optimal Instagram posting time is to examine your audience, Instagram’s algorithms, and advanced posting strategies.
This guide will explain how you can craft the perfect posting schedule for optimal visibility and engagement.
Understanding Instagram’s algorithms
When it comes to social media marketing, understanding the optimal posting time for Instagram can significantly impact your engagement rate. Algorithms are Instagram’s invisible gatekeepers, deciding which posts are shown to whom and when. But how do the algorithms make these decisions? And can they be used to your advantage?
How Instagram algorithms influence post visibility
According to Instagram, no single algorithm affects post visibility. Instead, each part of the app—like the Feed, Explore, and Reels sections—has its own dedicated ranking system:
- Feed and Stories prioritize people you’ve chosen to follow and content Instagram thinks you might be interested in. Posting time is a critical factor to appearing here, especially for Stories.
- Explore and Search are found together in the same tab. These sections are mostly influenced by what people search for and their recent activity. Here, your Instagram handle and bio and the keywords used in your captions have the biggest impact on your visibility.
- Reels follow a similar ranking system to Explore. However, these algorithms prioritize funny and entertaining content more than, say, reels with a lot of text or reels that focus on political issues.
Understanding how each algorithm works can help you improve your overall visibility. Ultimately, timing is especially critical for Feed and Stories, while relevance and keywords matter more for Explore and Search. (Instagram, 2023)
Why timing is crucial for Instagram engagement
The first thing users see when they open Instagram is their Feed, which makes it prime real estate for your content. Since recent posts take priority, timing your posts is crucial to maximize engagement with your followers.
More engagement means higher priority within Instagram’s algorithms—creating a positive feedback loop that sets the stage for even more visibility.
Best times to post on Instagram
This leads us back to the main question: What is the best time to post on Instagram? And does the day of the week or type of audience matter? By analyzing Instagram analytics, you can pinpoint the peak time or peak hour when your audience is most active on the social media platform.
Let’s examine these in more detail.
What is the best time to post on Instagram?
One case study of 391,490 Instagram accounts and their usage patterns discovered the following:
- 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM is the primary window for user activity.
- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM is the best time to post with the highest number of users.
- 8:00 PM in particular sees a peak in connected users.
Interestingly, these timeframes hold true across different regions, so posting around 8:00 PM in your followers’ local time zone can maximize visibility and engagement globally. (Metricool, 2024)
Optimal Instagram posting time by day of the week
The same study also revealed insights on what days of the week are best for publishing content:
- Wednesday, Friday, and Monday (in that order) are the best days to post on Instagram.
- Sunday and Saturday are somewhat active, but less so than midweek.
- Thursday and Tuesday see the least activity.
So from a statistical perspective, Wednesday at 8:00 PM is the best day and right time to share your content as it is the most active time for Instagram users.
Good times to post on Instagram for different niches
While these metrics can be helpful, you’ll also need to keep in mind your unique audience.
For example, if your followers are bartenders, they might be more active during late mornings or early afternoons, rather than in the evening when they’re at work. Similarly, hard-working entrepreneurs or side hustlers might engage more during their weekend breather instead of halfway through a busy week.
The key is to find good times to post on Instagram that appeal to your followers.
Advanced posting strategies for Instagram
Does mastering the art of Instagramming mean you always have to sit on your planned posts until the ‘perfect’ time? Maybe not!
With the right tools and strategies, you can automate and optimize your posting schedule for maximum impact.
Scheduling Instagram posts for maximum impact
One way you can reduce the pressure of planning out posts is by scheduling them in advance.
Linking your Instagram and Facebook accounts gives you access to the Meta Business Suite, unlocking handy free tools for both social media platforms.
One of these tools is the Instagram Creator Studio. It’s equipped with features that let you:
- Schedule posts up to 30 days in advance.
- Publish content across both Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- Upload images and videos in bulk to a dedicated content library.
Leveraging these unique functions can ensure you always post right on time, maximizing your reach and visibility.
Experimenting with posting times for better results
While general data offers a starting point, experimenting helps you see what times resonate best with your specific audience. Experiment with posting reels during the best day for your audience, as well as hitting Instagram live to engage followers in real time. Understanding their engagement patterns in the Instagram app and focusing on specific engagement metrics will help you optimize your Instagram marketing strategy.
You can analyze this data by using the Instagram Insights tab on your creator or business profile. Navigate to the “Content” section and see which posts performed best, and what time they were posted.
This audience-specific data can then be used to further fine-tune your Instagram posting strategy.
Leveraging Instagram to drive traffic to your website
So, you’ve mastered the Instagram insight, and nailed your posting strategy for maximum engagement—but what now? If your goal is to monetize your Instagram presence or grow your personal brand, the next step is to convert that engagement into meaningful actions on your website.
The role of a website in your Instagram strategy
Think of Instagram as the ‘hook’ that grabs your audience’s attention. While it’s excellent for building awareness and growing an audience, a personal website is where your followers can take actions like:
- Sign up for your email list.
- Purchase your products.
- View longer-form content.
Basically, a website is where you convert followers into customers.
Combining Instagram posting with website goals
You’ve put a lot of effort into growing your Instagram account. As mentioned, a website complements that hard work, directing your audience into taking tangible steps that benefit your business and brand.
But the key is crafting content—on Instagram and your website—that works together. For example:
- Launching a new product? Craft Instagram reels that build excitement and direct followers to your online store.
- Hoping to build interest in your blog? Create Instagram content that teases the latest post.
- Driving more sign-ups for your newsletter? Offer bite-sized snippets on your Instagram Stories and point followers to your signup page for more.
Don’t have your own website yet? You can build one quickly and easily with Name.com’s website builder solutions. Choose from a range of adaptable templates and flexible options designed to meet every need and budget, helping you get your online presence up and running quickly.
Using the link in bio effectively
Since Instagram limits the number of clickable links in posts, a “link in bio” solution is essential for driving followers to your website.
If you share multiple links—whether for products, events, videos, or anything else—Name.com offers a versatile link in bio tool to provide the perfect solution for consolidating your content.
As the only link in bio solution with a dedicated search box, your followers can find any of your offerings with customizable keywords. And with the ability to create URLs for literally anything in a single click, you can start scaling your online offerings without breaking a sweat.
Crafting your optimal Instagram posting schedule
With a clear goal in mind (like driving website traffic) and an understanding of your audience, the last piece of the puzzle is creating the perfect posting schedule.
Here are four steps to get started:
- Begin by posting in line with best practices—7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Mondays.
- Analyze your Instagram Insights and gather audience-specific data.
- Experiment with different posting times, such as mornings and weekends.
- Compare the results to refine your strategy.
With its algorithms always updating, finding the best time to post on Instagram is often an ongoing journey.
Final tips for maximizing your Instagram presence and website traffic
If you’re posting an Instagram reel, engaging your audience with an Instagram story, or doing an Instagram live, your optimal Instagram post time lies somewhere between data and discovery. Combining all the information covered so far, let’s note a few final takeaways:
- Use scheduling tools to plan your posts in advance, saving you time and keeping your posting consistent.
- Build a website aligned with your Instagram strategy, directly supporting your broader business goals like increasing sign-ups or boosting sales.
- Optimize your link in bio with tools like Hopp to guide your followers to your most important content.
Do it all with Name.com
Whether you’re a creator, influencer, or a business, Name.com offers all the tools you need to handle the website side of your online presence. From personalized and memorable premium domains to professional business email solutions and custom website solutions, Name.com complements your Instagram strategy by setting you up for digital success at every step.
Learn more about our professional suite of products today.
Sources:
Instagram. Instagram Ranking Explained. https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/instagram-ranking-explained/
Metricool. 2024 Instagram Study. https://metricool.com/instagram-research-study/
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