Hello shutterbugs, 🙂
How are you all?
Have you captured any new photos recently? Share a link in the comments so we can take a look and give it a like.
Not long ago, I published a post about Instagram titled “One Word Instagram Caption” which discusses how you can create an Instagram post and describe it with just one word. Go ahead and give it a read; it’s really interesting, and you’ll surely get some new ideas for your next post.
Today, we’ll be talking about another topic related to Instagram, which is also very important, especially if you’re more serious about photography or have a business related to Instagram. The title of today’s topic is “When is the best time to post on Instagram,” and it’s all about finding the most suitable days and hours to share your content. It’s intriguing, isn’t it?
Let’s dive into the article.
When is the best time to post on Instagram? A Comprehensive Guide
In recent years, Instagram has become one of the most popular social networks, used by millions of people worldwide. This visually oriented platform allows users to share photos and videos, connect with other users, and discover new content. Instagram has become an indispensable tool for influencers, businesses, and individuals looking to increase their visibility and reach a wider audience, as well as those who simply want to share photos of Sunday picnics or beach trips with friends (you know who you are :D)
One of the key components of success on Instagram is the timing of your posts. Posts that are shared at the right time can achieve greater visibility, engagement, and followers. This is particularly important for those looking to expand their reach and increase their recognition. The timing of your post can influence how high it appears in your followers’ feeds. With the right timing, you can achieve a larger number of likes, comments, and shares. I’ve researched the best times to post on Instagram so you can make the most of this platform’s potential.
Understanding the Instagram algorithm
How the algorithm works
The Instagram algorithm is designed to display the most relevant and interesting content at the top of users’ feeds. This algorithm takes into account several factors, such as:
- Interest: Instagram assesses how interested a user is in specific content based on their past interactions with posts on similar topics.
- Recency of the post: Newer posts are more likely to appear at the top of the feed since the algorithm prioritizes current content.
- Interaction: Posts with a higher number of likes, comments, shares, and views have a better chance of ranking high in the feed.
- Relationships and connections: Instagram prioritizes posts from users with whom you have a closer connection, such as family members, friends, and people you frequently communicate with.
Why post timing is important for post performance
The timing of your post impacts its performance, primarily due to the recency factor. Posts that are published at an optimal time when your target audience is active on Instagram have a higher likelihood of quickly gaining more likes, comments, and shares. This increases their relevance in the eyes of the algorithm, leading to better placement in followers’ feeds.
Moreover, posts published when there is more activity on the platform reach a larger audience. This increases the chances of gaining new followers. Therefore, it’s essential to understand how the Instagram algorithm works and consider post timing to enhance your visibility and engagement.
Of course, the algorithm is constantly changing. That’s why it’s important to take into account the time since the last update to this post, where I will strive to keep the information as fresh as possible.
General posting tips
Best days to post
What does the research say? Studies suggest that some days are better than others for posting on Instagram. However, it’s important to note that the optimal days may vary depending on your target audience and industry. In general, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are considered the best days to post, as users are more active on the platform during these days. However, it’s advisable to test different days and monitor the results to determine which days work best for your posts. From my observation, there are fewer people online on weekends compared to weekdays. This is not only noticeable on social media but also significantly affects website traffic. There can be up to 50% less traffic on weekends and holidays.
Best times to post
The optimal time to post on Instagram depends on your target audience and their browsing habits on the platform. Generally, the best times to post are:
- Early morning (between 7 and 9 a.m.): People often check social media before starting their workday.
- Lunchtime (between 12 and 2 p.m.): Users typically check their phones during lunch breaks. Evening (between 5 and 7 p.m.):
- Most users check their phones when they return home from work or school.
Considering time zones
If you have followers in different time zones, it’s important to take their time distribution into account. It’s recommended to align your posts with the optimal time for the majority of your followers. If you’re unsure when your followers are most active, you can use analytical tools like Instagram Insights, which shows you when your followers are online.
Remember, the tips mentioned above are general guidelines, and it’s essential to test different posting times and monitor the results to determine what works best for your posts and target audience.
Adjusting posting time based on target audience
Adjusting the posting time according to your target audience is crucial for achieving success on Instagram. As a content creator, I need to research my target audience to understand their habits and preferences. This includes finding out who my followers are, their age, gender, interests, and the time zones they live in.
Researching the target audience
Before deciding when to post my content, I examine my target audience. This helps me understand when they are most likely to be active on Instagram. I use tools like Instagram Insights. With this tool, I gather data about my followers, such as their age, gender, location, and time zone. This allows me to adjust the posting time of my posts to achieve the highest possible engagement.
Analyzing the best posting times for individual demographic groups
Once I have information about my target audience, I analyze the best posting times based on individual demographic groups. For example, if my followers are mainly students, it would make sense to post during their breaks or after their classes have ended. However, if my posts focus on business professionals, it would be better to post early in the morning or during lunchtime, when they have time to check their social media. By monitoring the performance of my posts at different time periods, I can determine which times work best for my target groups, allowing me to adjust my posting strategy and increase my visibility on Instagram.
Using analytical tools to determine the best time to post
Using analytical tools to determine the best time to post is key to success on Instagram. These tools provide insights into follower data and their interaction with our posts, helping us optimize our posting strategy.
Instagram insights
Instagram Insights is an in-built analytics tool provided by Instagram for business profiles and influencers. This feature allows us access to data about our followers, such as age, gender, location, and time zone, as well as information on when they are most active on the platform. Using this information, I can adjust the timing of our posts to increase engagement and reach a broader audience.
External tools like Later, Iconosquare, and Hootsuite
In addition to Instagram Insights, I sometimes use external tools such as Later, Iconosquare, and Hootsuite, which offer additional analytics features and options for optimizing posting times. These tools enable more in-depth analysis of posts and followers, automatic scheduling of posts for the best times, and tracking and comparing the performance of our posts across different time periods.
Monitoring and analyzing results
To determine the best time to post on Instagram, it is crucial to regularly monitor and analyze the results of my posts. With the help of analytical tools, I can track how our posts perform based on their posting time, helping us adjust our strategy and improve the effectiveness of our posts. It’s important to be aware that the optimal posting time may change over time, so continuous monitoring and adjusting is key to maintaining high levels of engagement and follower growth.
Adaptability and testing different posting times
Adaptability and testing different posting times are keys to success on Instagram. Adjusting posting times allows me to find the best times for our target audience and adapt to various factors that may influence engagement.
Considering trends and current events
Trends and current events can impact engagement on Instagram. When planning the timing of posts, it’s important to monitor trends and current events that could capture the attention of our target audience. For example, if there’s a significant event in our industry, such as a conference or product release, it makes sense to post content related to that event at an appropriate time to achieve higher engagement.
Adjusting posting times based on content
Different types of content may perform better at different times. For instance, entertaining and relaxing content might be more suitable for posting in the evening or on weekends, when users are more relaxed and have more free time. On the other hand, informative and business-related posts may be more appropriate for posting on weekdays and during working hours, when users are more focused on work and seeking information. Adjusting posting times according to the type of content helps us increase engagement and reach our target audience.
Monitoring results and adjusting strategy
Testing different posting times and monitoring the results allows me to adjust the posting strategy and improve the performance of our posts. Analytical tools, such as Instagram Insights or other tools like Later, Iconosquare, and Hootsuite, help me track the performance of posts based on posting times. Based on these results, I can adjust the posting strategy to achieve the highest engagement and follower growth. Regular monitoring and adjusting of the strategy enable me to stay adaptable and responsive to changes in the habits of our target audience.
When is the best time to post on Instagram if you live, for example, in the USA?
The best time to post on Instagram can vary depending on your target audience, industry, and the content you are posting. However, research and analysis have shown some general trends regarding posting times that could be useful for content creators living in the USA.
Generally speaking, the best times to post on Instagram are as follows:
- from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time.
- The best hours to post are usually between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Consider time zones, as the USA is divided into four main time zones: Pacific Time (PT), Mountain Time (MT), Central Time (CT), and Eastern Time (ET). When posting content aimed at followers in different time zones, take into account the best posting times for each time zone or focus on the time zone where the majority of your target audience is located.
Experiment with posting times and monitor the results to determine the best time for your specific target audience. Use analytical tools like Instagram Insights to track engagement and adjust your posting strategy based on this information.
Conclusion
Summary of Key Points
So, we’ve come to the end and can now make a brief summary of today’s post. Determining the best time to post on Instagram is crucial for increasing engagement, achieving greater visibility, and growing followers. Among the key points I’ve presented are:
- Understanding Instagram’s algorithm and why the timing of posts is essential for post performance.
- General posting tips, including the best days and hours to post and taking time zones into account.
- Adapting posting times based on the target audience involves researching the target audience and analyzing the best posting times for individual demographic groups.
- Using analytical tools such as Instagram Insights and external tools to determine the best posting times and monitor and analyze results.
- Being flexible and testing various posting times, considering trends and current events, and adapting posting times according to content.
Mini tip: Experiment and adjust posting times for optimal results.
As content creators, we must constantly adapt and experiment with our approach to determine what works best for our posts and target audience. This includes testing different posting times, adjusting our strategy based on the results, and monitoring and analyzing the performance of our posts. By doing so, we can achieve optimal results and connect with our target audience in the most effective way. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt, as this is the key to success on Instagram and other social platforms.
I always put everything I read into practice. But I still experiment a bit. Even if something works, the results can be even better. Each Instagrammer is unique and has unique followers, so we can’t just copy-paste someone else’s approach and hope it will work. It might, or it might not. Try to find your own path.
Oh, and I have to invite you to my social media channels:
- Youtube: @JernejLetica
- Instagram: @JernejLetica
- Twitter: @JernejLetica
Thank you for taking the time to read,
and see you soon! 🙂