Instagram has grown into a platform with over 2 billion monthly users, making it one of the best places to showcase your brand.

But things aren’t as simple as just posting anymore. With frequent changes in the algorithm, it has become harder for businesses to get noticed. Now, Instagram pushes content that gets more shares and saves. On the other hand, business posts and external links often get less visibility.

That’s why, if you want your brand to stand out, you need to understand the best times to post on Instagram. Indeed, posting when your audience is most active can greatly increase your reach. In this blog, we’ll talk about the best times to post on Instagram so your content gets seen by more people.

Best Times To Post on Instagram by Day

The main goal for every business on Instagram is pretty straightforward—getting more people to visit their account and engage with their content. But here’s the challenge: Instagram users are active 24/7, scrolling at different times of the day. That often leaves businesses asking, “Should I post every single day to stay visible?”

The truth is, posting daily isn’t always the best approach. Instead, what really makes a difference is consistency and strategy. You need to post regularly, but more importantly, at times when your target audience is most likely to be online. Therefore, you can show up when it matters the most.

Best Times To Post on Instagram During Weekdays and Weekends

Best Times to Post on Instagram(Pacific Time)

Pro Tip: Always remember not to post at times that touch the hour mark (xx:00). Most brands and individuals schedule/post at the hour mark. To separate yourself from the crowd, ensure you post at times like 10:57 AM or 11:03 AM. That way, you won’t experience cutthroat competition when you post. 

Best Time To Post Reels and Stories on Instagram for Likes, Comments, and Shares

Every day, more than 500 million people engage with Instagram posts, Reels, and Stories. These interactions signal to the algorithm which content deserves more reach.

If you’re aiming to boost followers and engagement, Reels are one of the best tools available. In fact, brands that share fun and engaging Reels can see up to 300% higher engagement compared to regular posts.

While you can post Reels at any time, we’ve found that the sweet spot is usually between 9 AM and 12 PM PST, Monday to Thursday. Still, timing alone isn’t enough—your content must be engaging enough to spark likes, comments, and shares. That’s why it’s important to track when your audience is most active and the type of Reels they enjoy. Doing so will help you post smarter and maximize your reach.

Best Time to Post on Instagram by Location and Time Zone

Your location also plays a big role in how your posts perform on Instagram. For instance, if you’re based in New York but your content is reaching people in California, the UK, or even Australia, the results may vary. That’s because audiences in different regions have their own active hours and habits.

So, if your followers are spread across multiple time zones, figuring out the best posting times will take some extra effort.

• US and Canada (Western):  9 PM-12 AM
• US and Canada (Central): 10 PM-12 AM
• US and Canada (Eastern): 11 PM-4 AM
• South America: 5 AM
• UK: 3 AM-4 AM
• Europe (Western): 4 AM-6 AM
• Europe (Eastern): 5 AM-7 AM
• Africa: 2 AM-3 AM
• South Asia and the Middle East: 4 AM
• East Asia and Southeast Asia: 6 AM-8 AM
• Australia + Asia: 11 PM-12 AM

What Are the Best Times To Post on Instagram by Industry

Different industries attract different types of audiences, and each group has its own browsing habits.

For example, a restaurant or café might get the most engagement around lunch and dinner hours, when people are looking for food inspiration. A fitness brand may see better results in the early morning or evening, when people plan or finish their workouts. Similarly, a B2B company could perform best during weekday working hours, while entertainment or lifestyle brands may thrive in the evenings and weekends.

That’s why businesses shouldn’t blindly follow general posting times. Instead, it’s important to:

• Understand your audience’s lifestyle and routines.
• Test different times within your industry’s peak hours.
• Track results using Insights to learn when your followers engage the most.

By tailoring your posting schedule to your industry, you can make sure your content reaches your audience exactly when they’re most likely to interact with it.

How To Find Your Own Best Times To Post on Instagram

While research and reports can give you a good baseline, the reality is that no two audiences are the same. The best posting time for your business depends on your unique followers. Here’s how you can find it:

1. Check Instagram Insights
   Use the analytics feature on your business account. It tells you the days and times your followers are most active.
   
2. Test Different Time Slots
   Post at various times during the day and week, then see which posts drive the most engagement—likes, comments, saves, and shares.
   
3. Understand Your Audience’s Routine
   Think about your followers’ daily habits. Students may scroll at night, while working professionals are more active in the morning, during lunch, or after work.
   
4. Account for Time Zones
   If your followers are spread out globally, plan your posts to match the busiest hours in your key locations.
   
5. Monitor Your Results
   Review your performance weekly or monthly. Over time, you’ll notice patterns in what works best.
   
6. Keep Updating
   As your audience grows, their habits may change. Stay flexible and adjust your posting schedule as needed.

How Practina Helps

Posting according to these local times is a good starting point. However, to maximize engagement, it’s crucial to monitor and post according to your Instagram data.

This is where AI marketing tools like Practina come in handy. It is an excellent way to automate social media post creation and scheduling. Practina picks a time when most of your audience is active and publishes your content for maximum engagement. 

Conclusion

There is an ideal time to post on Instagram, but it’s different for everyone. It changes based on various factors, such as the day, time zone, location, and several other factors. So, you need to be on top of the posting schedule to reach your marketing goals.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of identifying any of this manually, let Practina handle your Instagram marketing.

FAQ’s

Q: What is the best day to post on Instagram?

A: Mid-week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, around 11 AM to 12 PM, is the best time for posting on Instagram.

Q: What is the worst time to post on Instagram?

A: Based on our research, posting early in the morning, i.e., 5-7 AM, on the weekend, especially on Saturday, is the worst time. It usually has the lowest engagement rate. 

Most people wake up late on weekends and prefer offline activities with friends and family during the day. Thus, you should avoid posting early in the morning. Post after 7 PM on Sunday or between midnight to 4 AM.

Q: How to figure out the best time to post on Instagram for your business?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all concept with posting times. So you need to test what works for your business.

Here are a few tips to figure out-

• Post consistently  
• Review the engagement rate and impressions on your high-performing posts.
• Check when your competitors are posting 
• Check when your target audience is most active
• Experiment with timings 
• Monitor and adjust posting times regularly

Q: Should you use AI Automation tools to automate your Instagram postings?

A: As technology is improving, you should try AI Automation tools like Practina. It is a reliable tool that can be a game-changer for your Instagram growth. 

Practina not only publishes posts at the best times but also designs and generates content for them. With Practina, you can sit back and relax while it takes care of your most daunting tasks.