When is the first-rate time to publish on Instagram? It’s a question that’s created a great deal debate on social media.
So, as a main social media control platform, we analyzed over 9M Instagram posts to discover whilst you must be posting for maximum engagement.
Spoiler alert: the consequences can also wonder you.
Does Posting Time on Instagram Really Matter?
When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2024?
In 2024, the overall best time to post on Instagram is 4AM (calculated in local time across time zones).
To find this data, Later analyzed over 9M global Instagram feed posts (images, videos, carousels, and Reels) from posts January 1, 2023 to October 1, 2023.
“We calculated engagement metrics from Later money owed of diverse industries and sizes, and deduced the great time to submit via grouping records by the hour and day posted. Then, the common engagement rate turned into calculated for posts on that precise day and hour,” explains Wissam Ghoudi, Later’s facts Scientist.
From Monday to Sunday, we found that users across the board have interaction with content material published inside the early hours of the day — greater than any other time slot.
In different words: the early chicken receives the computer virus.
With the aid of posting earlier, accounts gain from much less opposition, even as additionally tapping into visitors from customers in the course of their first scroll of the day — although that’s some hours after the post changed into shared.
When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram for Likes and Comments?
Based on our analysis, the best time to post on Instagram for likes and comments tends to be in the morning.
To post during those early time slots without sacrificing your REM cycle, scheduling your Instagram content is the way to go. Create a free Later account to get started.
The Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram in 2024
The Best Day to Post on Instagram
The overall best day to post on Instagram is Thursday — with the highest average engagement occurring for posts published at 4AM.
This further proves the theory that an “early to rise, early to post” engagement strategy yields the most interactive results.
By being one of the first to post each week, you’re giving your content the best chance of being seen by your audience.
The Best Times to Post on Instagram by Day
We’ve identified that posting earlier in the day yields the best overall engagement.
Now it’s time to get even more specific.
Here are the best times to post on Instagram every day of the week:
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Monday
The best time to post on Instagram on Monday is 4AM.
And while this may appear to be because it’s the start of the work week and users are eager to interact with content bright and early, this trend is steady Monday-Sunday.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday
The best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday is 5AM.
While everyone’s up and early on Monday mornings, it takes an extra hour before things ramp up on Tuesdays.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Wednesday
The best time to post on Instagram on Wednesday is 5AM.
Wednesday also tends to see a steady level of engagement between the hours of 2-7AM.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Thursday
The best time to post on Instagram on Thursday is 4AM, with 6AM coming in close as the second-highest time for engagement.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Friday
The best time to post on Instagram on Friday is 4AM.
While 4AM takes the spot for the best time, we noticed that engagement is pretty consistent up until 7AM.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Saturday
The best time to post on Instagram on Saturday is 4AM.
Overall, Saturday sees the lowest average engagement throughout the week.
Given that Saturday is the start of the weekend, we hypothesize this shift means users are more likely to be enjoying their time offline.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Sunday
The best time to post on Instagram on Sunday is 5AM.
Call it a case of the Sunday scaries but compared to Saturday, Sunday actually sees a rise in engagement.
Between the hours of 1-6AM engagement remains consistent, dropping off as the day goes on before jumping back into action at the 9PM mark.
How to Find Your Unique Best Time to Post on Instagram
While posting when your audience is most active is still valuable, focus on creating engaging content first, and then optimize by posting at the best time.
Using Later’s Best Time to Post tool is the most accurate way to discover your unique optimal posting times based on actual performance data.
The tool automatically calculates your top posting times based on your best-performing posts from the recent month:
Your best times will then be highlighted in your weekly content calendar, making it easy for you to schedule Instagram posts for when your audience is most likely to engage.
That way, you can capitalize on audience engagement without thinking twice.
Numbers? Math? No thank you. Later does the hard work, so you don’t have to!
Later’s Best Time to Post tool is available on all paid plans. Sign up today to find your unique best days and times to post on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the Worst Time to Post on Instagram?
According to our data, the worst time to post on Instagram is Monday at 1AM and Saturday at 10AM.
When Is the Worst Time to Post Reels on Instagram?
After analyzing over 1M Reels, the worst time to post Instagram Reels is Monday at 1AM.
Is It Better to Post on Instagram in the Morning or at Night?
As we mentioned earlier, posting in the morning is by far the best time to post on Instagram — garnering the most comments and likes.
As a reminder, here are the best times to post on Instagram every day of the week:
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Monday: 4AM
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Tuesday: 5AM
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Wednesday 5AM
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Thursday: 4AM
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Friday: 4AM
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Saturday: 4AM
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Sunday: 4AM
When Should You Not Post on Instagram?
Based on our research, Saturday is the worst day of the week to post on Instagram, seeing the overall least amount of engagement throughout the week.
