What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram for Higher Engagement?

Finding the best time to post on Instagram can feel like a guessing game, but getting it right is key to boosting your engagement.

You might be posting high-quality content, but if your audience isn’t online to see it, you’re missing out on valuable interactions. Timing matters, and knowing when to post can make all the difference between a post that gets lost in the feed and one that sparks conversations and drives engagement.

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve analyzed over 1 million social posts from businesses of all sizes to find the absolute best times to post on Instagram. And we didn’t stop there – we’ve also identified the top times for up to 8 different industries.

Whether you’re in retail, healthcare, or hospitality, this guide will help you fine-tune your Instagram strategy to reach more people when they’re most active.

 

First, Is There Really a Best Time to Post on Instagram?

Let’s clear something up before we dive in: there’s no magic, one-size-fits-all time to post on Instagram that guarantees success. If only it were that simple, right?

But here’s the good news – through our analysis of over a million social posts, we’ve found that there are certain days and times that tend to bring in higher engagement than others.

Why does engagement matter so much? Well, Instagram’s algorithms pay close attention to how people interact with your content – likes, comments, shares, and saves all signal that your post is resonating.

The more engagement you get, the more Instagram will show your content to a wider audience, especially in areas like the Explore page and Reels. These spaces are golden when it comes to growing your presence on the platform.

So while the Instagram feed may no longer be strictly chronological, timing still matters when you’re planning your posts.

Finding the best time for your content to land can help boost that all-important engagement and get your posts seen by more people.

Now, let’s explore those key times in more detail!

 

What’s the Best Time to Post on Instagram?

Through our analysis, we’ve found that the best time to post on Instagram is typically during midday on weekdays – particularly midweek. This makes sense, right?

People often take a break from their busy work or school schedules around lunchtime, which is the perfect time to scroll through their Instagram feeds, engage with posts, and check out new content.

Weekends, on the other hand, tend to be the worst days for Instagram engagement. Why? People are often spending their time outdoors, hanging out with friends, or enjoying their weekends in the real world rather than glued to their phones.

You can’t blame them for wanting to take a break from social media on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you’re posting more than once a week, consider following these peak times for better engagement. And if you’re new to Instagram or don’t have much data yet, these times are a great place to start.

As your account grows, you can adjust your posting schedule to match your audience’s specific activity patterns.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best times to post on Instagram for each day of the week:

Day	Best Time to Post
Monday	11 AM – 12 PM
Tuesday	10 AM – 2 PM
Wednesday	10 AM – 1 PM
Thursday	11 AM – 12 PM
Friday	11 AM – 12 PM
Saturday	10 AM – 11 AM
Sunday	9 AM – 10 AM

By following these general guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to posting at optimal times for higher engagement. But remember, as you grow, tweak your schedule to align with your audience’s habits for even better results!

 

The Best Time to Post on Instagram by Day of the Week

Want to know the best time of day to post on Instagram, every day of the week? If you want brand-specific data, using a tool like OnlySocial is your best bet.

It can help you track your audience’s habits and determine the optimal times for engagement. But if you’re just starting out and need a quick guide, here are some general data points to get you going.

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Monday

The best time to post on Instagram on Monday is 11:00 AM PST. It seems that Instagrammers take it easy at the start of the week, only diving into their feeds around lunchtime. While engagement starts slow, it picks up by midday.

But remember, it’s always better to plan your posts ahead of time to maximize your results!

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the best time to post is 8:00 AM PST. Engagement is strong from 8:00 to 10:00 AM, with 8:00 AM being the peak.

Users seem to be more energized and ready to interact earlier in the day, making it a great time to post your best content.

 

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Wednesday

Wednesday’s sweet spot is 11:00 AM PST, and it’s also the day when most accounts see the highest engagement overall.

Posting around this time will give you a good chance of catching your audience when they’re most active during the week.

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Thursday

Thursday follows a similar trend, with 11:00 AM PST being the best time to post. Engagement remains strong throughout 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, making this midweek time frame a great window for high interaction.

 

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Friday

Fridays are a bit different, with 2:00 PM PST being the best time to post. However, you’ll notice consistent engagement throughout the morning and lunch hour, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, as people prepare to wind down for the weekend.

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Saturday

The best time to post on Instagram on Saturday is 8:00 AM PST. Since weekends are usually filled with offline activities, it’s best to catch your audience early before they get too busy with their plans.

 

The Best Time to Post on Instagram on Sunday

On Sundays, the ideal time to post is 6:00 PM PST, with engagement staying steady throughout the afternoon and evening. From 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, you can expect consistent interaction as people settle in for the end of the weekend.

 

Best Time to Post on Instagram by Industry

Your audience’s behavior largely depends on the industry you’re in, and Instagram engagement follows unique patterns based on these different sectors.

Let’s explore the best times to post on Instagram across several key industries.

Construction and Manufacturing

For early risers in these industries, the best engagement times are:

• 6 AM – 9 AM on Saturdays
• 5 AM – 8 AM on Thursdays
• 9 AM on Sundays

These times allow you to capture your audience’s attention before they start their busy workday.

Healthcare, Pharma, and Biotech

Healthcare professionals often engage with Instagram during early morning or traditional work hours:

• 7 AM – 9 AM on Fridays
• 8 AM on Sundays
• During 8 AM – 5 PM office hours on weekdays

These time slots align with early shifts and the structured schedules of healthcare workers.

 

Education

In the education sector, weekends are prime time for Instagram activity, especially 11 AM – 1 PM on Saturdays. This is when teachers, students, and administrators are most likely to interact with social media.

Dining, Hospitality, and Tourism

For businesses in hospitality and tourism, late evenings are key for grabbing attention. The best time to post is between 7 PM and 10 PM on Sundays. This is when people are winding down and looking for leisure or travel inspiration.

 

Government

For government agencies and officials, the best times to post are:

• 8 AM on Saturdays
• 8 AM – 10 AM on Wednesdays

These windows capture the attention of the public and officials early in the day.

Financial Services

Financial institutions should aim for early mornings, particularly:

• 7 AM – 11 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• 5 AM – 1 PM on Fridays

These times coincide with when professionals are checking in on the latest financial news.

Marketing Agencies

For marketing professionals, engagement tends to peak during:

• 7 AM on Sundays and Thursdays
• 12 PM – 3 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays

These time frames allow agencies to reach other businesses and audiences during their breaks or midday.

Media and Entertainment

The media and entertainment industry sees the highest Instagram engagement at 9 AM on Wednesdays.  This is a great time to post content and capture attention early in the day.

Utilities and Energy

In this sector, afternoons are best for engaging your audience:

• 2 PM – 5 PM on Tuesdays
• 1 PM – 3 PM on Thursdays

These times hit mid-afternoon when energy consumption topics might be most relevant.

Technology

For the tech industry, the best times to post are:

• 9 AM on Sundays and Mondays
• 10 PM on Thursdays

 

 

How to Determine Your Unique Best Time to Post on Instagram

While industry-specific data gives you a solid foundation, the best time for your Instagram posts will depend on your unique audience.

Here are some helpful tips for finding the perfect posting time for maximum engagement:

#1: Analyze Your Instagram Insights

Your Instagram Insights tool is a goldmine for figuring out when your audience is most active. It helps you to have a complete understanding of when your followers are online.

Look for trends in activity and engagement, and start scheduling your posts around those peak times. We will talk more about this in the next section. Just keep reading!

#2: Experiment with Different Posting Times

Don’t be afraid to test out different times and days to see what works best for your content. Try posting in the morning, midday, and evening to gauge how your audience responds at each time.

Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns in engagement that can guide your posting schedule.

#3: Use Social Media Scheduling Tools

Tools like OnlySocial can help you track and analyze the performance of your posts. Many scheduling platforms offer detailed data on the best times to post, specific to your account and audience.

With this data, you can automate your posting to hit those prime engagement windows effortlessly.

#4: Consider Your Audience’s Time Zones

If your audience is spread across different time zones, it’s important to factor this into your posting schedule.

You may want to experiment with posting at different times to ensure that your content reaches your followers when they’re most likely to engage, no matter where they are in the world.

#5: Track Your Results

Pay close attention to how your posts perform at different times. Record your results over a period of weeks to identify trends in likes, comments, shares, and saves.

Adjust your schedule based on this data to continuously improve your engagement.

 

Tools to Find the Best Time to Post on Instagram

Using the right tools can make finding the perfect time to post on Instagram so much easier.

Instead of guessing or constantly experimenting, these tools give you data-driven insights into when your audience is most active and engaged.

In this section, we’ll cover two essential tools to help you pinpoint the best times to post: Instagram Insights and the analytics feature in OnlySocial.

 

OnlySocial Analytics

 

If you’re using OnlySocial for social media management, you’re in luck! The platform’s analytics feature provides detailed insights, including the best times to post on Instagram, tailored specifically for your audience.

In the analytics section, you’ll not only find the ideal posting times but also data on which post types perform best, how often you should be posting, and much more.

To access this information, head to the analytics tab in OnlySocial. This tool takes the guesswork out of scheduling and allows you to fine-tune your strategy for maximum engagement.

 

Instagram Insights

 

Instagram’s native tool, Instagram Insights, offers another excellent way to track your audience’s behavior.

With Instagram Insights, you can see when your followers are most active and use that data to schedule your posts accordingly. Here’s how to find your audience’s active times:

On the Instagram mobile app:

1. Go to your profile and click the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines) at the top right.
2. Tap on Insights.
3. Select Total followers.
4. Scroll to the bottom and look for Most active times. You can toggle between different days and hours to get a detailed breakdown.

 

On the Instagram web version:

1. Log into instagram.com and navigate to your profile by clicking your profile photo.
2. Click on View insights below your bio.
3. Scroll down to the Followers section to see your audience’s most active times.

Just make sure you have a Business or Creator account to access Instagram Insights. With this data, you can adjust your posting schedule to hit peak engagement times.

 

 

Final Note

Finding the best time to post on Instagram is key to maximizing your engagement and reaching your audience when they’re most active.

By using tools like OnlySocial Analytics and Instagram Insights, you can take the guesswork out of the process and develop a posting strategy tailored specifically to your audience.

Now that you have the insights and data at your fingertips, it’s time to put them to use and watch your Instagram engagement soar!

 

 

FAQs

Does the time you post on Instagram matter?

Yes, the time you post on Instagram does matter. Posting when your audience is most active can increase your engagement rates, such as likes, comments, and shares.

Different audiences are active at different times, so finding the best posting times through Instagram insights or experimentation can help boost your visibility.

When is the worst time to post on Instagram?

The worst time to post on Instagram is typically late night or early morning hours when most users are asleep. For many audiences, this means between 11 PM and 5 AM. However, this can vary depending on your specific followers and their time zones.

Is it better to post early or late on Instagram?

Posting early is generally more beneficial, especially in the late morning or early afternoon when people are likely scrolling through their feed. Posting too late in the evening can decrease engagement since users may be winding down for the night or less likely to engage.

How often should I post on Instagram?

Consistency is key, so posting at least 3-5 times per week is recommended for maintaining engagement and staying relevant in your followers’ feeds.

However, quality content is more important than frequency, so don’t post just for the sake of it – make sure each post offers value to your audience.