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According to the analysis of various studies, Instagram has more than 2.4 billion users in 2025. In the realm of Instagram, there are all kinds of users, such as influencers, content creators, businesses, artists, younger audiences, etc. Whether it is a coffee shop in front of your house or a world-class singer, every user is striving to reach a wider audience.
But does the timing of your posts really matter, or is it all about the likes, shares, and comments? In this essay, we will deeply delve into whether there are actually ‘’best’’ times and days to post on Instagram. We will also mention points that affect posting time and the best and worst times to post on Instagram. Lastly, we will finish the essay with DOs, DON’Ts, and FAQs.
Is there a “best” timeline to post on Instagram
Yes, there are generally recommended times to post on Instagram to maximize your audience engagement. Although there is no universally accepted ‘’best’’ time to post on Instagram, there are certain days and specific times preferred by many users. The times can vary depending on what you are posting. For instance, the best times to post reels on Instagram can differ from the best times to post photos. Please continue scrolling down for the details.
What does affect posting time on Instagram?
We have stated above that there can be ‘’best’’ times for you to post, but only if you pay attention to some aspects that affect user activity patterns. The right timing of your Instagram posts can significantly impact their visibility and engagement. Before posting, you should be aware of these factors to find the best time for you:
5 Aspects affecting posting time on Instagram
🗺️ Location
The geographical location of your target audience is important because of varying time zones. For instance, the best time to post on Instagram UK can be totally different from the best time to post on Instagram India. Posting when your followers are awake increases the visibility of your content.
If your major audience is in a particular country, post during peak activity hours. Posting at the wrong time can result in your content getting lost as people from other time zones fill their Instagram feeds.
👨👦👦 Audience demographics
Knowing your audience’s age, lifestyle, and online habits can enable you to choose the optimal posting times. Younger users are generally more active in the evenings or on weekends, whereas white collars are more engaged during lunch hours or commuting times. Arranging your posting times with your followers’ daily routine will boost engagement.
📱 Content-type
The type of content you post can also affect the best time for sharing. For instance, informative posts might do better during work hours, while fun, entertaining content on Instagram on Sundays or in the evenings can get more engagement. Consider when your followers are most likely to be interested in the content you share.
🗓️ Day of the week
Engagement patterns can differ based on the day of the week. The activity on Instagram on weekdays is typically higher during commuting times or lunch breaks, whereas the activity on weekends is more steady throughout the day.
But, do not forget that engagement on Instagram on Saturdays is more full of younger people rather than professionals than activity on Instagram on Sundays because of the private sector’s extra one-shift day.
🏖️ Holidays
Special days and public holidays can dramatically influence user activity. People are more engaged with Instagram during their free time, or they can also be less active because of their travel. Posting content during these times can give different outcomes. This depends on your content type and how your followers use social media during holidays.
What is the best time to post on Instagram?
You have understood the engagement difference between posting on weekdays, weekdays, and special occasions. However, before starting to read, remember that the times we give can vary according to different dynamics, such as your audience’s usage patterns, daily routines, and exceptional occasions.
Without further ado, let’s explore the most active times of users on Instagram day-by-day with their reasons:
Ideal times to post on Instagram
Best time to post on Instagram on Sunday
The best time to post on Instagram on Sundays is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but similar to Saturdays, we have noticed Sundays have less engagement throughout the day.
Best time to post on Instagram on Monday
The best time to post on Instagram on Mondays is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., coinciding with typical lunch hours, although engagement is good from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday
The best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and engagement is almost double that on Mondays.
Best time to post on Instagram on Wednesday
The best times to post on Instagram on Wednesdays are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it has the highest engagement period of the week.
Best time to post on Instagram on Thursday
The best times to post on Instagram on Thursdays are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and late 7 p.m. The 1 p.m. hour drops slightly in engagement.
Best time to post on Instagram on Friday
The best time to post on Instagram on Fridays is from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., but there is almost as much engagement the few hours before and after that peak engagement time.
Best time to post on Instagram on Saturday
The best times to post on Instagram on Saturdays are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but weekends generally have less engagement when compared to the rest of the week.
Worst time to post on Instagram
Although you must consider posting at the highest engagement hours, you also keep the lowest engagement times in mind. The worst time to post on Instagram is doubtless during periods of low user activity. While these times can also vary depending on your followers’ usage patterns, some specific times are considered the worst time to post by social media managers.
The following times are often considered the least optimal time to post on Instagram:
Worst times to post on Instagram
Late at night (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
Most users are either asleep or preparing for the next day during this time. Therefore, the platform has lower levels of activity during that period. Your posts are likely to be missed when they look at their phone and see the posts of people who took action later than you.
Early afternoon on weekdays (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Most people are at work, school, or other activities during this period. Although there might be some exceptional days, posts made during these hours on Weekdays tend to receive lower engagement. The time period can change based on the working and education hours of your audience’s country.
Early weekend mornings (before 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday)
Even though some occupational groups, especially in the private sector, might be working on Saturdays, most people will be dead asleep during the early morning hours of the weekend. This makes it less likely for posts to reach your targeted audience. If you must post necessarily on the early weekend, you had better choose Sundays.
DOs and DON’Ts
Posting at the right times doesn’t necessarily mean that your posts will always have the most interaction with followers. Instagram has complex algorithms, and there are some actions that you should apply and avoid. In this chapter, we have compiled DOs and DON’Ts so that you can have the highest interaction possible.
DOs and DON’Ts of sharing on Instagram
What to DO while posting?
📈 Post during peak times: Try to post when your followers are the most active. Peak times can change daily, as we mentioned above, and it is good to check your Instagram Insights for your specific followers' activity.
🔄 Be consistent: Arrange a regular posting schedule to form a steady visibility time for your followers. Over time, your followers may associate you with a certain time period and may even look for your posts during these times.
🌎 Follow time zones: If you have followers in different countries, first, determine where the majority of your followers are based. Then, learn the country’s time zone and arrange your posting time in accordance with the country’s timeline.
📆 Post timely content: Hot topics are consistently changing on a daily basis. Therefore, in order to stay relevant and up to date, post current events, trends, or holidays. You may even create a calendar for the fixed celebration days or holidays so as not to miss any important day for your followers.
⏱️ Find your ‘’best’’ time: All the suggested times may not work for your audience. So, we highly recommend you experiment with different posting times. You can read the FAQs section below to learn how to check your followers' activity times or simply post a quiz on Instagram and ask them about their activity.
What to DON’T while posting?
🤹🏻 Avoid posting too frequently: Posting too often in a short period can bore your audience. It is even possible for them to ignore your posts and just skip to the next one. For this reason, posting too much results in lower engagement.
📅 Don’t ignore weekends: For some users, weekends might be a better option for surfing on Instagram. Test weekend posts a few times to see how your followers are interested in weekend posts.
🕒 Don’t stick to one specific time: All the days on the weekdays are not the same. Posting at the same time can be predictable by some. Mix the time up occasionally to reach different types of users among your followers.
📉 Don’t post during off-peak hours: Late at night or during work hours may not be a good option for posting. Lower visibility during these times will not change, especially if your audience isn’t active.
🆚 Don’t post over in different types: Followers like to see some kind of posts at specific times. That means that the best time to post on Instagram for likes and the best time to post on Instagram reels are not the same. If you want to post for different purposes, wait until your next posting time.
Frequently asked questions about posting on Instagram
Until this chapter, we have covered the best and worst times for posting, the matters that affect your posting time, and what to do and don’t while posting. In this part, we will shortly answer seven frequently asked questions for you.
The best day for posting on social media depends on the platform, but midweek days, such as Wednesday and Thursday, usually see higher activity than other days. Weekends, especially Sundays, can be more effective for entertaining and leisure content.
Evenings, generally between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., are the best time to upload a video on Instagram. People are usually free from work or school and chill out during these hours.
To see peak times on Instagram, you can use Instagram Insights. This is available for business and creator accounts. In the Audience section, you can find information about when your followers are most active by day and hour. This helps you determine the best times to post.
The globally best time regarded to post on Instagram is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. These times coincide with lunch breaks and evening relaxation.
For Western Europe: Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and for Eastern Europe: Between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. These times are recommended by looking into Europe’s location and typical working hours.
It is recommended to post on Instagram three to five times a week. The type of content you share should align with your audience and brand, but aim for at least three posts weekly, whether they are Instagram Reels, carousels, or static posts.
It is best to post on Christmas Day in the morning. Since most people are preoccupied with celebrations and family in the evening, social media will not be a priority for any user. Try to publish your posts after 10 a.m. for the best results.
Wrapping it up
In conclusion, posting at the right time on Instagram is extremely important in boosting your activity and having new followers. However, there isn’t a single approach that will work for every user. Your audience’s location, demographics, and the time and day you are posting can totally change your engagement level. Apart from these, there are some other aspects that you must take into account to have the highest engagement:
✅ Post during peak times of Instagram engagement
✅ Learn your audience’s time zone
✅ Test and find your own best time
and,
❌ Don’t post different types of content consecutively
❌ Don’t post too frequently
❌ Don’t post at the exact same time
By paying attention to these crucial elements, you will eventually find your right posting routine and boost your post engagement.
Bünyamin is a content writer at forms.app. He is also a skilled interpreter and photographer. His interests include dubbing and cinematography. Bünyamin's expertise lies in marketing.
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