Best Times to Post on Instagram in 2024 [Latest data]

Ever planned a surprise birthday party and nailed every detail — decorations, cake, the perfect gift — only for the birthday person to walk in before everyone arrives? Awkward, right? 

Timing. It's everything! 

Now, imagine putting the same effort into crafting and posting the perfect Instagram post and watching them go unnoticed. Ouch! Hurts, right? 

That's where the magic of timing comes into play. 

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But wait, isn't it all about the content? Shouldn't I just post whenever I feel like it?" Well, my friend, while content is king, timing is the queen who rules over all. 

In 2024, Instagram’s algorithms are more unpredictable than ever, making timing even more critical. Imagine if you had posted that same content at the optimal time, when your audience was most active and engaged. The results could have been mind-blowing!  

But who has the time to crack that code, right? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

We’ve dug into the data and figured out the best times to post on Instagram by days, countries and industries so your content gets the attention it deserves. Let’s dive right into it, while your followers are still out there! 😉  

Why posting times are critical for maximizing Instagram reach 

Let’s face it — Instagram is a bustling space with over 2 billion monthly active users, each vying for attention. In this sea of content, timing your posts can mean the difference between being seen and being lost.  Posting when your audience is most active ensures your content doesn’t just float aimlessly but actually reaches your followers.  Here’s why timing is everything in social media marketing: 

• Higher visibility: Posting when your followers are online increases the chances of your post appearing at the top of their feeds. The latest social media statistics prove US adults spend 33 minutes every day on Instagram. Posting in this window widens your visibility. 
• Better engagement: More eyes on your post means more likes, comments and shares, eventually increasing your brand awareness. 
• Algorithm love: Instagram’s algorithm favors posts from friends and family. When you post during favorable times, you garner engagement which is a signal to Instagram algorithms to boost your post’s reach.   
• Targeted audience: You can catch specific audience segments when they’re most active, making your content more relevant. 

• Optimal ROI: Maximizing engagement translates to better returns on any promotional efforts or ad spend. 
• Competitive advantage: By optimizing your posting times, you can gain a competitive advantage over other brands and businesses on Instagram. 

By hitting that sweet spot, you ensure your content gets the attention it deserves, cutting through the noise and making a real impact. 

How Instagram's algorithm influences post visibility

Remember when we talked about the algorithm love in the benefits above? Here’s why it matters.  

Instagram’s algorithm is designed to prioritize content that gets immediate engagement. This means if your post starts racking up likes, comments and shares soon after it’s published, it gets pushed higher in your followers’ feeds. Essentially, Instagram rewards you for posting when your audience is most active. 

The Instagram algorithm favors two types of posts — fresh posts and engaged posts — with the former carrying more weight when deciding what should show first in a user's feed. An old post that garners great engagement will still rank lower than a new, relevant post. 

However, this doesn’t mean you should bombard your followers with new content to crack the algorithm. Instead, your best bet to uprank is by posting during the active window so you’re not lost in the sea of new content. When you nail the timing, your post is more likely to get that initial engagement boost, signaling to the algorithm that it’s worth showing to more people.  

Conversely, if you post when your followers are offline, your content might get lost in the shuffle, buried under newer posts. 

By understanding and leveraging this timing, you’re working with the algorithm to maximize your post’s visibility and reach. 

Whoa, that’s a lot of tech talk, right?  

Don’t worry, we’re about to get to the good stuff.  

Ready to rock your Instagram clock? Let’s see when’s the best time to post! 

General best times to post on Instagram 

Alright, let's get to the heart of the matter: when should you be posting on Instagram?  

Timing your posts right can make all the difference in boosting your engagement. So, let’s look at the general best times to post that will help your content shine. 

Good time to post on Instagram 

Based on extensive research and data analysis, find below the widely accepted best times to post on Instagram. 

These times are when most users are actively scrolling and engaging with content. While these guidelines are a great starting point, remember that your audience might have specific habits that slightly differ. 

Best days and times to post on Instagram 

To get even more precise, let’s break down the best times to post for each day of the week. This way, you can tailor your content strategy to optimize engagement every single day. 

Best time to post on Instagram on Monday 

As everyone settles into their workweek, they’re more likely to check their Instagram feeds in the morning and evening, giving you a prime opportunity to capture their attention.  

Best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday 

People are in the groove of their week, still focused and productive, which means they’re more open to engaging with new content in the early morning. 

Best time to post on Instagram on Wednesday 

Wednesday offers 2 golden windows — post early to catch the early risers and then catch the afternoon lull to maximize your visibility and engagement. 

Best time to post on Instagram on Thursday 

People are actively planning their weekends and are more likely to be online in the morning and evening. 

Best time to post on Instagram on Friday 

As the weekend approaches, people are looking for distractions and are more likely to engage with your content during the early mornings.   

Best time to post on Instagram on Saturday 

Saturday mornings are perfect for leisure scrolling and evenings are great for catching people relaxing at home. 

Best time to post on Instagram on Sunday 

Sundays are ideal for capturing a relaxed audience in the morning and evening as they prepare for the upcoming week.  

By tailoring your posting times to these specific days and times, you can maximize your reach and ensure your content gets the attention it deserves. Here’s a nifty visual with day-wise best Instagram posting times that you can bookmark: 

Industry-specific best posting times on Instagram 

Optimal posting times on Instagram can vary significantly across different industries. Each sector has unique audience behaviors and engagement patterns. Let’s take a look at the top 10 industries and the best times to post for each. 

Country-specific best posting times on Instagram 

Optimal posting times on Instagram can vary significantly across different countries due to varying time zones, cultural habits and daily routines. Let’s explore the best times to post on Instagram for some key countries. 

Adjust your strategy to customize your best time for Instagram 

Alright, we’ve nailed down some great general times to post on Instagram. But let’s be real — one size doesn’t fit all.   

Here’s how you can tweak your strategy to find the perfect posting times for your unique needs.  

Posting during holidays and events 

Holidays and major events can skyrocket user activity on Instagram. Got a special post? Drop it during these times when everyone’s online, soaking up the festive vibes. Think holiday sales, promotions or just joining in the celebration! 

Special considerations for live videos and stories 

Live videos and stories have their own rhythm. They thrive during peak user activity times like evenings and weekends.  

Plan your live sessions and story updates when your followers are most likely to tune in and engage in real-time. 

💭 Good to know: Video posts on Instagram Stories have an 86% completion rate. For more such interesting stats, give this blog on 50+ Important Social Media Video Statistics to Know a read. 

Matching content types with optimal times 

Different content, different times. Promotional posts might do well during business hours, while entertaining or casual content might get more engagement in the evenings.  

Experiment and see which times work best for your various content types to keep your audience hooked. 

Here are 10+ Ideas for Social Media Posts That Move the Needle 

Here’s a concise breakdown of the best posting times on Instagram for different content types: 

Remember that these times may vary based on your specific audience and location. Adjust accordingly for optimal results! 😊 

Customizing times for international audiences 

Got followers all over the globe? Customize your social media posting schedule to cater to different time zones.  

Use Instagram’s analytics to figure out peak times in various regions and adjust your posts so nobody misses out, no matter where they are. 

By considering these factors, you can fine-tune your Instagram strategy to get the best engagement possible.  

How to find the best posting times 

So, you’ve got the general best times down, but how do you find the perfect time for your unique audience? 🤔  

Let’s dive into some ways you can discover the sweet spot for your Instagram posts. 

Using Instagram Insights 

Instagram’s built-in analytics tools are your best friends here. There are two main routes to find those golden posting times: 

1. Instagram mobile app 

The Instagram app provides valuable insights about your followers. You can see where they’re from, their age, gender and — most importantly — when they’re most active. To access these insights, make sure you have an Instagram business account or a creator profile.  

Source  

2. Instagram Creator Studio 

Creator Studio offers even more detailed audience insights. Just like the app, it shows you when your followers are online, but with a bit more depth.  

 Source 

One downside, though: it only shows data for the past 7 days. But don’t worry, we’ve got another trick up our sleeve. 👇  

Sprinklr’s Smart Scheduler 

Sprinklr’s Smart Scheduler, a feature of the Social Media Scheduler and Publisher, takes things to the next level. It analyzes 30 days of data to find the best times to post based on your audience, the day of the week and time zone.  

Here’s how it works: 

It uses AI to determine the best times to post by calculating engagement scores for every hour of the day. It considers shares, comments, likes, impressions and the number of followers online. If your account lacks data, it starts predicting the best times as you post more. 

How to use Smart Scheduling: 

1. Create your post in Quick Publisher. 
2. Click “Schedule Post” at the bottom left to choose a future date and time. 
3. Check the “Smart Scheduling” box.

The default date range is the next 7 days, but you can adjust it. 

4. Select from the suggested time frames. The best time will be highlighted in green, with secondary options in gray. 

5. Click “Schedule” to finalize. 

By using these tools and tips, you can pinpoint the optimal times to post for maximum engagement.  

Wrapping it up 

So, there you have it! The much-repeated line — timing is everything — is totally legit on Instagram. If you’re early, you’re forgotten. If you’re late, you’re ignored. If you’re on time, you’re boring. But if you’re right on time, you’re a legend. 

So, legend — if you’re trying to crack the code on Instagram's best posting times, don’t just follow the generic rules! Tailor your strategy to fit your unique audience, industry and global reach.  

Remember, it's not just when you post, but how you adjust to the ever-changing landscape of social media. And with a tool like Sprinklr this is going to be easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. 😉