Instagram ads that reach their intended audience by providing material that piques their interest are more likely to be successful. The ever-evolving IG algorithm, however, increases the likelihood that your audience will never see that material if you don’t share it at the optimal moment.

So, here’s the deal: how can you determine when is ideal for Instagram posts? You’ve come to the perfect spot if you don’t have the time or energy to figure it out on your own. In this article, we’ll discuss the optimal timings for Instagram posts and how you can make the most of that information.

How often should you post on Instagram?

Generally speaking, Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT is the sweet spot for Instagram posts. Instagram users are most active between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

The timing of your Instagram posts may have a significant impact on how many people interact with them. That’s because everyone has their own daily pattern, and even slight variations in that routine can have a significant impact on how they act. Most individuals check their social media accounts first thing in the morning to find out what their pals were up to the night before, despite the fact that they claim they never do this. Then, around noon, when we finally get a few minutes to ourselves, we all immediately return to our phones. Last but not least, many people use the time before and after supper to engage with social media content and socialise with friends. As a result, it’s not surprising that peak activity occurs when the majority of our readers are online.

Let’s go further into Sprout Social’s recommendations for the optimal times to publish on Instagram.

When Is Instagram’s Busiest Each Day of the Week?

Time: 11 AM – 12 PM, Monday – Friday At around noon Central Daylight Time (CDT), the majority of Instagram users are expected to be browsing the app on their lunch break. During those moments, it’s best to publish content that is both visually appealing and can instantly grab the attention of the audience.

The somewhat longer window of time on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT is perfect for posting lengthier pieces of material like IG TV videos or longer reels.

On Thursdays at 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time, the engagement window is quite brief, so posts like Instagram Stories polls and quizzes that garner rapid replies and don’t demand a lot of viewers’ attention are optimal.

You should keep these intervals in mind when you plan your publishing schedule. If you don’t want to obsess with the time, a great advice is to just publish between 7:00 and 10:30 am Central Daylight Time (CDT) on weekdays; this time frame has been shown to provide the highest levels of interaction.

When Different Industries Should Use Instagram Most

The information we just covered is great for generating interest among potential Instagram followers. Knowing the ideal times to post on Instagram in general, as well as the optimal hours for your audience, is helpful if you want to really get into the heart of things, though. Look at these two examples:

Most constant interaction is created from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CDT, when technical enterprises are at their most productive. It’s not recommended to publish during the weekend.

The best time for restaurants is Monday morning (again) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Ideal periods for academic institutions are on Thursdays at 2 p.m. CDT and Fridays between 4 and 5 a.m.

Ideal posting times for healthcare providers are Tuesday (the busiest day of the week) between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Best hours for NGOs – Non-profits can only publish on Wednesdays between 10 AM and 6 PM Central Daylight Time.

Although the optimal times to post on social media vary, it is safe to assume that weekends are not the greatest days to do so. This makes sense, since most people use the weekend to engage in real-world activities.

Improve Your Instagram Followers’ Activity Even More

Changing when you post to take advantage of peak engagement periods is a great strategy. However, timing isn’t everything if you want your material to actually resonate with your target demographic. Check read our post on Instagram marketing strategies if you want to learn more about producing high-quality IG content and launching effective promotional initiatives.