[2024 Updates] When Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram?

In the always-changing world of social media marketing, keeping up with the latest trends and strategies is really important. According to statistics, Instagram is the second favorite app.

On platforms like Instagram, knowing the best times to post can make a big difference in how many people see and engage with your posts. As we head into 2024, it’s crucial to check and refresh our understanding of when to post on Instagram to make sure our content gets seen by as many people as possible and works well.

Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2024

Typically, the optimal window for posting on Instagram falls between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m on weekdays. This conclusion comes based on our extensive experience over many years.

These specific time slots likely coincide with users checking their phones upon waking or browsing during their morning commute, resulting in heightened engagement during these periods.

However, it’s essential to recognize that these time frames may not be universally effective for all businesses.

In our observation, pinpointing the ideal posting times on Instagram varies greatly depending on the unique characteristics of each business, including its niche and target audience.

Therefore, it is advisable to determine a personalized posting schedule tailored to your business’s specific needs and audience preferences. This article aims to assist you in discovering the optimal posting times for your business on Instagram.

Schedule to Post on Instagram by Weekdays

Have you ever pondered whether it’s possible to pinpoint the optimal day for Instagram posting? The answer is unequivocally affirmative.

Our analysis delves deeper into identifying the typical best posting times for each day of the week. These insights aim to assist you in your ongoing quest to determine the most opportune moment for posting content on Instagram.

Let’s find out the average prime posting times (in PST) for each day of the week that you can experiment with:

Day	Best Time Range	Reason
Monday	9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	People are settling into their workweek, making it more likely they'll browse Instagram during this time.
Tuesday	9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	People remain productive and receptive to new content, with peak engagement occurring during daytime hours.
Wednesday	5 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m.	Early morning, mid-morning, and mid-afternoon offer optimal engagement opportunities.
Thursday	12 p.m., 5 p.m.	Capturing audience attention during lunch breaks at noon and before the workday ends.
Friday	9 a.m. - 10 a.m., 5 p.m. - 6 p.m	Pre-weekend excitement makes people more receptive to Instagram content during these hours.
Saturday	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.	Saturday mornings are prime time for Instagram browsing, presenting a perfect opportunity for engagement.
Sunday	10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Sunday mornings offer a relaxed browsing environment for Instagram users, making it an ideal time to post engaging content.

Based on the provided schedule, the best days of the week to post on Instagram are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with specific time ranges tailored to each day’s audience behavior.

Best time to post Reels and Stories on Instagram

Reels have become Instagram’s latest sensation, with widespread adoption across the platform. Recent Instagram data indicates that 62.2% of US marketers intend to utilize reels in 2025.

For those already utilizing Instagram Reels, the platform offers remarkable reach and visibility. However, as its popularity grows, so does the importance of posting at optimal times.

The ideal timing for posting reels on Instagram varies based on several factors like location, industry, and audience demographics. Nonetheless, you can initiate the process of optimizing reel timing by considering the following average best times:

Day	Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
Monday	3 am, 7 pm
Tuesday	12 am, 1 am, 6 am
Wednesday	4 am, 6 am, 9 pm
Thursday	6 am, 4 pm
Friday	2 am, 11 am, 1 pm
Saturday	9 am, 4 pm, 5 pm
Sunday	5 am, 8 am, 1 pm

And let’s not overlook Stories! While there’s no specific optimal time for posting Instagram Stories without a particular agenda, businesses aiming for increased visibility should consider a preferred time slot.

Instagram Stories typically garner 2 to 3 times more engagement than regular posts. Therefore, the recommended time to post Instagram Stories, particularly for businesses, is on weekdays during lunch breaks, specifically from 11 am to 2 pm.

Read more: 10 Instagram Feed Apps Shopify for your Online Store in 2024

Schedule to Post on Instagram by Industry

As businesses and influencers aim to capture the attention of their target audiences, knowing the most effective posting times becomes a crucial strategic advantage. Each industry possesses distinct characteristics, preferences, and audience behaviors, underscoring the importance of customizing your posting schedule accordingly.

For instance, while it was previously suggested that weekends might not be the ideal time to post on average, fashion and apparel businesses often experience peak sales and views during these days.

That’s why our study meticulously analyzed the industry of each account. This enabled us to further refine the best times to post on Instagram according to different sectors.

Below are some deep industry insights of the optimal posting times that you can use to guide your publishing calendar and boost your engagement rates:

Industry	Best Times to Post	Best Days to Post	Reason
Travel and Tourism	- Weekdays: 10 am - 12 pm, 7 pm - 9 pm; - Weekends: 9 am - 11 am, 4 pm - 6 pm	Tuesdays and Wednesdays	Post during times when people are likely to daydream about travel
Fashion and Apparel	- Weekdays: 12 pm - 2 pm, 7 pm - 9 pm; - Weekends: 9 am - 11 am, 5 pm - 7 pm	Weekends, especially Saturdays	Post when users have more time to explore their feeds in the afternoon and evening
Fitness and Wellness	- Weekdays: 6 am - 8 am, 5 pm - 7 pm; - Weekends: 8 am - 10 am, 4 pm - 6 pm	Tuesdays and Wednesdays	Target consumers preparing for or finishing workouts in the early mornings and late at night
Food and Beverage	- Weekdays: 12 pm - 2 pm; - Weekends: 5 pm - 7 pm	Friday, Saturday, and Sunday	Post during times when people are seeking culinary inspiration or planning dining experiences
Digital Marketing/Social Media	- Weekdays: 9 am - 11 am, 1 pm - 3 pm; - Weekends: occasional posts from 10 am - 12 pm	Monday to Thursday	Professionals are frequently online during conventional business hours
IT Brands	- Weekdays: 10 am - 12 pm; - Weekends: 1 pm, 3 pm	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	Post during work hours on weekdays and capture attention during weekend afternoons

Exploring the Best Time to Post on Instagram For Your Business

The typical optimal posting time on Instagram, as determined by our research, can indeed significantly improve your engagement rate. However, it’s crucial to take the initiative to discover your own personalized best time.

How can you achieve this?

Determining your ideal posting time on Instagram hinges on three factors: your audience, the day of the week, and your timezone.

1. Using Insights on the Instagram Creator Studio

The first one is using an Instagram mobile app. It helps you find significant insights, such as your follower’s location, their gender, how old they are, and when they are most active on Instagram.

Source

It is necessary to have an Instagram business account or an Instagram creator’s profile in order to access insights on the platform. Access to the “Instagram Creator Studio” is an additional advantage of owning a creator’s profile.

2. Instagram Creator Studio

Instagram Creators Studio allows you to access many audience insights so that you can find the most effective time to post on Instagram. It serves as a handy resource for uncovering valuable information such as your followers’ geographic distribution, demographics, and peak activity times on the platform. This option provides access to various audience insights to determine the optimal posting times on Instagram.

FAQs

Is it better to post on Instagram at night or in the morning?

This depends on your audience and their habits. Test both morning and evening posting times to see which generates more engagement.

What’s the worst time to post on Instagram?

Generally, the worst time to post is when your audience is least active, which can vary depending on your specific audience demographics.

What is the best time to post on Instagram?

The best time to post varies based on your audience’s behavior. Use analytics tools to identify when your followers are most active and engaged.

When is the best day to post on Instagram?

Similar to posting times, the best day to post can vary. Analyze your audience’s behavior to determine the optimal day for your content.

Is Monday a good time to post on Instagram?

It depends on your audience. While Mondays might generally be busy for many people, some audiences might still be active on Instagram during this time. Test different days to find out what works best for you.

Does the time you post on Instagram matter?

Yes, the timing of your posts can significantly impact their reach and engagement. Experiment with different posting times to optimize your results.

Should I post twice a day on Instagram?

Posting frequency should be based on your audience’s preferences and the quality of your content. If you can maintain high-quality posts twice a day without overwhelming your audience, it can be beneficial. However, ensure that each post adds value and resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Above are the recommended time frames for posting photos, reels, and stories on Instagram. However, these are just recommendations, and every effective strategy still requires careful consideration and evaluation based on real experience. Therefore, we suggest that when experimenting with these suggestions, don’t forget to track their performance regularly to achieve the best results.