Instagram Research Study 2023: The Best Time To Post To Instagram

Knowing what type of content and formats to post to Instagram is only half the battle. Another key aspect of an effective social media strategy is knowing when to post. But how do you know when the time is right? 

Using the Social Media Report put out by Metricool for 2023, there are some great insights as to when the best posting times are so you can figure out how to increase the impact and visibility of your content. The report delves into the best posting times by taking a look at the habits of users across different time zones.

THE PERFECT TIME

One of the biggest findings here is that the best time to post on Instagram, no matter what day of the week or what timezone you’re in, is consistently 8 PM. This is an extremely valuable piece of information to keep in mind as a content creator or business owner who is hoping to maximize your reach and interactions. By strategically scheduling your posts for this ideal time, you are ensuring your content is more likely to be seen by a bigger audience. 

If you’re posting on a weekend, 3 PM appears to be the optimal time for Instagram activity ensuring you can reach a larger, more engaged audience.

On the flip side, there is also a bad time to post. This one may seem like a no brainer, but 5 AM appears to be the least favorable time to put any content out there. In fact, there’s a pretty big drop in engagement from about 10 PM on, so save the night time for getting the shut eye you need in order to keep yourself in tip top shape to keep running your business and coming up with new content ideas!

THE PERFECT DAY

Now keeping in mind that no matter what day you post, 8 PM is the ideal time, there are also days that are better to post as well. According to the data the report is looking at, Monday and Thursday appear to be the best days to really grab the attention of your audience. But at the same time, don’t feel like you have to adhere to this schedule, because the variation of reach between these different days is pretty minimal. But it’s always a good idea to continue to look at your data to see what days are working best for you and your specific audience.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

The main thing to remember here is to try and stick closely to the 8 PM posting time. If you’re following a 3-4 times a week posting schedule, Monday through Thursday, you may be thinking, “how in the world am I supposed to be available to post at 8 PM every night?” Don’t worry! Using scheduling tools like Loomly or Metricool are great solutions. Using a scheduler a great way to schedule your posts in advance at the right time in the right time zones. With over a decade in scheduling social media posts, I feel as though I have tried just about every scheduler out there and Loomly and Metricool that we use here at Next Step Social every day. This will free up your time so you aren’t tethered to your device every night. Here's how to make it work for you so you can get yourself set up for posting success.

By aligning your posting schedule with peak hours, utilizing the popularity of reels, carousels, and making sure to stay up to date on your analytics so you know what is working best for your specific audience, you can ensure you’re setting yourself up for a successful strategy to make the most of your Instagram presence. 

Need some help getting all your ducks in a row? We can help with that! Just reach out and let’s work together to set up a winning strategy for you and your business.