Determining the best time to post on Instagram is crucial for maximizing engagement and reach in 2023. With over 1 billion monthly active users, timing your Instagram posts correctly can help your content be seen by more of your target audience.
In this article, we'll examine the factors that influence when is the optimum time to post on Instagram and provide data-backed recommendations to help you find the best times to post for your Instagram feed and stories in 2023.
What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2023?
The best time to post on Instagram in 2023 is between 10 AM to 2 PM during weekdays. Instagram usage and engagement rates tend to be highest during this window on weekdays like Monday through Thursday when people are most active on the platform during work and school hours.
Posting on weekdays between 10 AM to 2 PM allows your content to reach the widest Instagram audience when user activity is at its peak.
During this timeframe, you can expect to see higher engagement, reach, and lower cost per impression or cost per click if running Instagram ads.
Other recommended times with high engagement rates include 8-9 AM and 5-6 PM on weekdays as people check Instagram during common commuting times or taking a break from work. Weekends can also perform well, especially Saturday afternoons between 1-3 PM.
However, the above timings are general recommendations - the best time to post can vary based on your target audience and industry. Read on for more detailed factors that can influence ideal posting times.
Factors That Impact the Best Time to Post on Instagram
When determining the optimal times to post on Instagram, consider these important factors:
Your audience's location - Engagement rates are linked to when your target audience is most active on Instagram. Consider where your followers are located and time zone differences.
Your industry/niche - The best times to post vary across different industries and niches. For example, B2B companies may find more engagement during weekdays while restaurants see better results in evenings or weekends.
Post type - Optimal timing differs for Instagram feeds, Stories, Reels, and IGTV. Stories have the shortest shelf life while feed posts can accumulate engagement over time.
Your post goals - Are you driving traffic to your website, promoting an event, gathering registrations, or driving engagement? Your goals influence ideal timing.
Instagram algorithm - The algorithm favors posts that quickly get engagement and interactions. Posting when your audience is most active boosts visibility.
Competition - Analyze when your competitors and industry leaders post to help your content stand out in the Instagram feed.
Now let's dive into the best times to post different types of Instagram content like feed posts, Stories, and Reels in 2023.
Best Times to Post on Your Instagram Feed in 2023
For your Instagram feed, the recommended posting window is 10 AM - 2 PM during weekdays, especially Monday to Thursday. Here are the prime Instagram feed posting times in 2023:
Monday to Thursday: Between 10 AM to 2 PM, with the sweet spot at 11 AM - 1 PM when engagement rates peak during weekdays. Posting from 8 AM - 9 AM and 5 PM - 6 PM also performs well.
Fridays: Engagement begins to dip by Friday afternoon. Aim for 10 AM - 1 PM.
Saturdays: Saturdays see rising engagement in the afternoon, ideal timing is 1 PM - 3 PM.
Sundays: Post by 10 AM - 1 PM on Sundays before engagement tapers off in the afternoon. Avoid Sunday evenings.
Evenings: Generally not ideal for the Instagram feed unless your audience is in a different timezone. Late-night posts won't get the same visibility.
Adjust these recommendations based on when your target audience is most active on Instagram and your niche - for example, international audiences in different timezones or industries like restaurants that cater to dinner crowds.
Analyze your past Instagram posts to identify when your followers are engaging most with your content. This can help reveal your audience's patterns.
Best Times to Post Instagram Stories in 2023
Instagram Stories only stay visible for 24 hours before disappearing. This makes timing highly important to maximize story views.
Here are the top times to post Instagram Stories:
Weekdays: Post Stories between 8-9 AM, 12-1 PM, or 5-6 PM on weekdays when engagement is highest.
Morning commute: Posting between 7-9 AM allows people to view your Stories while commuting to work or school.
Lunch breaks: People scroll Instagram on their lunch breaks around 12-1 PM, making it an ideal time for Stories.
Evenings: Post between 5-7 PM to target audiences unwinding after work or making dinner plans.
Midday lulls: There tends to be downtime for Stories between 10-11 AM or 2 PM - 4 PM on weekdays. Avoid these times.
Weekends: Post Stories on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 AM - 3 PM when weekend Instagram usage peaks.
Adjust for your target audience's time zone. The shelf life for Stories is so short that precise timing is essential - analyze your audience's activity patterns to determine when they will most likely view Stories.
Helpful Reading - The Best Instagram Story Templates for 2023
Best Times to Post Instagram Reels in 2023
Posting Instagram Reels at optimal times is crucial to maximizing IG reels reach and engagement.
Here are the best times to post Reels on Instagram in 2023:
Early afternoons: Weekdays between 1 PM - 3 PM tend to perform best, especially Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Morning: Posting Reels between 9 AM and 11 AM on weekdays can also generate strong engagement.
Evenings: Post Reels between 7 PM - 9 PM to target people winding down for the day.
Lunch hours: People watch Reels during lunch breaks around 12 PM - 2 PM on weekdays.
Weekends: Engagement rates are higher on Saturdays from 11 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 9 AM - 4 PM.
Posting multiple Reels per day is recommended - you can spread them out during the above high-traffic windows to increase chances of being seen and going viral.
Analyze the engagement metrics on your Reels to identify patterns in ideal posting times based on your audience demographics and which days perform best. Consistency is also key - aim to post Reels regularly at optimal times.
How to Find Your Best Times to Post on Instagram
While the above recommendations provide a general guide to timing Instagram posts, your audience's activity patterns and industry specifics also impact ideal posting times. Here are some tips for identifying your own best times to post:
Evaluate past posts - Look at when your top-performing posts were published and at what days/times they received the most engagement. This reveals when your audience is most active.
Analyze competitor accounts - Study similar Instagram accounts in your industry and when they typically post and engage followers. This provides benchmarks to inform your timing.
Test different times - Try posting at different times over a 1-2 week period and take notes on when content receives the highest reach and engagement.
Use Instagram analytics - Instagram Insights provides data like your followers' active hours and post impressions by day and hour that indicate optimal timings.
Consider timezones - Factor in where the majority of your audience is located and post when they are awake and active on Instagram.
Post consistently - While testing times, post consistently 1-2 times per day to give each timeslot a fair chance at success.
Keep adjusting your posting times based on performance data and audience patterns. Consistency at the right times is key to growing your Instagram presence.
Also Read - Reach vs Impressions: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters?
Instagram Posting Frequency Recommendations
In addition to posting at the best times, optimizing how often you post on Instagram is key. Here are general frequency recommendations:
Instagram feed: 1-2 times per day, spaced consistently through high-traffic windows.
Instagram Stories: 2-3 times per day since content disappears in 24 hours.
Instagram Reels: Minimum 1 reel per day, up to 2-3x daily especially on weekends. Post at multiple recommended times.
IGTV: 1-2 times per week for longer videos. Short teasers can be posted daily.
Avoid posting too infrequently - this means losing momentum with the Instagram algorithm. But take care not to overpost and risk saturating your audience. Analyze post frequency alongside timing to determine the ideal mix for your account and resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best time to post on Instagram varies based on your audience, industry, and goals. But generally, weekdays from 10 AM - 2 PM deliver prime visibility, especially for the Instagram feed.
Adjust times based on performance data and continue testing to unlock your ideal posting schedule. Consistency with both timing and frequency are key Instagram success factors for 2023 and beyond.
To recap, determining the optimal time to post your content on Instagram requires analyzing multiple factors like your target audience's activity patterns, your niche, post types, goals, the algorithm, and your competition.
While the general recommendation is weekdays from 10 am-2 pm for the Instagram feed, don't rely solely on broad assumptions. Monitor your past content performance, test posting at different times, check follower analytics, and study your competitors to identify the best times for your unique business.
The most effective way to find your ideal posting times on Instagram is to post consistently at different times over a 1-2 week period. Track when your content receives the highest engagement and impressions.
Post types also impact timing - Instagram Stories only have a 24-hour shelf life, so you need to be precise with capturing your audience's attention. Meanwhile, feed posts can accumulate engagement over time.
Posting 1-2 times per day for the feed and 2-3 Stories is recommended. For Reels, post at least 1 per day but optimally 2-3 spread throughout peak times. Use scheduling tools to ensure consistent posting at your top times, but keep assessing what works best. Your audience's behavior may shift over time.
Be sure to consider time zones - if the majority of your followers are in a different country, adjust your posting times accordingly. The key is reaching them when they are most actively scrolling Instagram.
Keep an eye on your metrics in Instagram Insights. The data on your followers' active hours and your post/Story performance at specific times and days are invaluable for optimizing your timing. Consistency, performance tracking, and staying agile are crucial to determining your unique best times to post on Instagram in 2023.
Figuring out a good time to post on Instagram today can be tricky without analyzing your audience insights and past performance data. While general recommendations provide a starting point, regularly assess your top posting times as audience behavior evolves.
Try posting at different times over a 1-2 week period and track engagement. Look at your follower demographics - are they in different time zones? This impacts the good time to post on Instagram today.
Also, study your niche and competitors to see if industry-specific trends emerge for ideal times. The type of content also matters - Instagram Stories need careful timing given their short shelf life.
Ongoing testing, consistency, and monitoring analytics are key to determining the good time to post on Instagram today and optimizing as you go. Pay attention to your followers' activity patterns and don't rely solely on assumptions. A time that works today may not always be the best - stay nimble.
FAQs on Finding the Best Time to Post on Instagram
Q: How do I know when most of my Instagram followers are online?
Check your Instagram Insights for details on your followers' activity by day and hour. This shows when the majority of your audience is on Instagram. You can also look at your top-performing post times.
Q: Should I use Instagram scheduling tools?
Scheduling tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Later can help you plan and auto-post your content at the optimal times consistently. But monitor performance in case you need to adjust timings.
Q: What's better for Instagram - weekdays or weekends?
Weekdays, especially Monday to Thursday, generally see higher engagement and lower cost per click or impression. But weekends can still perform well with the right audience - test different days.
Q: How often should I post Instagram Reels?
Posting 1-3 Reels per day is recommended since the algorithm favors frequent posting. Spread them out through different high-traffic times for maximum impact.
Q: When's the worst time to post on Instagram?
Sunday evenings, Friday afternoons and weekday nights tend to have the least engagement. Early mornings on weekends also typically underperform unless your audience is in a different time zone.