Social media trends seem to shift constantly, making it tough to stay updated. If you're concerned that the optimal times for posting Instagram Reels have changed, don’t worry—we’ve got the latest insights for 2024. We’ll also share tips on how to gather even more personalized data about your audience.
Ready to dive in? Let’s discuss the best times to post! 😄
Why do brands focus on posting at specific times?
It’s all about maximizing engagement. If you’re trying to nail down the best time to post Instagram Reels, you’re likely already aware of the importance of hitting those peak engagement windows.
Knowing when your audience is most active can significantly increase the engagement your Instagram Reels receive. Posting at the right time means your content is more likely to be seen and interacted with. But timing isn’t everything; your content still needs to be relevant and resonate with your audience to truly drive engagement and brand awareness. Other factors also play a role, which we’ll explore shortly.
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What factors impact engagement?
As we mentioned earlier, posting at the right time doesn’t automatically guarantee strong engagement. Other factors play a role as well:
Optimal Posting Times
Choosing the best times to post can make a significant difference. For instance, people are less likely to check Instagram during work hours if they’re focused on their jobs. Posting during these times might not reach your audience effectively. Similarly, weekends might not be ideal either, as people are often engaged in personal activities.
Timing also depends on your audience. For instance, if you’re targeting individuals who work a 9-to-5 schedule (a common scenario, I know!), posting at 10 AM might not be effective since they could be busy with work or meetings. However, posting during their lunch break could be a great opportunity to engage them.
Posting Frequency
While it’s not a strict rule, there’s a correlation between how frequently you post and the level of engagement you receive. Essentially, the more you post, the higher your chances of engaging your audience—that’s just the way it works.
Now, you might be wondering: How often should your brand post on Instagram?
The common advice is to post “as much as you can,” but that’s not always practical. Most brands don’t have the resources to post daily.
Here’s a more practical suggestion: Aim for 1-3 posts per week. This frequency allows you to gauge what types of content resonate with your audience and identify the best times to post.
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Types of Content to Post
Different types of content can resonate differently with your audience. For example, if your following is built around holistic health tips, they might not engage as well with posts about sportswear. Experiment with various topics and reel formats to determine what works best for your brand and audience.
Here’s how I would approach this experiment to build an Instagram account for my brand:
I’d choose three days each week, similar to the ones discussed below, and post different types of content each day: educational, humorous, and brand-related.
I’d conduct this experiment for a month and then analyze the results: Which type of post received the most engagement? Did humorous posts outperform educational ones? Should I post more of the type that performed better? Did Thursdays consistently perform better than Tuesdays?
The key takeaway is that the type of content you post plays a significant role in the level of engagement your Instagram reels receive.
What Are the Best Times to Post Reels?
We’re excited to share our findings with you! After researching and consolidating tips from various sources, we’ve identified the best times to post Instagram reels for each day of the week. (And these times are updated for 2024!)
Here’s a guide to the optimal times for posting Instagram reels each day of the week:
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Monday
11 AM - 2 PM
Stick to the lunch hour when your audience is likely to take a break from work. This timing remains effective through most of the workweek.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Tuesday
11 AM - 2 PM
Tuesday is one of the best days to post on Instagram. You can also consider posting later in the afternoon (around 4 PM) or earlier in the morning (around 5 or 8 AM).
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Wednesday
11 AM - 2 PM
Wednesday is another top day for posting. Sources indicate that 11 AM on Wednesday is the peak time for Instagram engagement all week.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Thursday
11 AM & 2 PM
As the week winds down, engagement times shorten. People are often busy finishing up projects or preparing for the weekend, so consider posting earlier in the day.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Friday
10 AM - 11 AM
Early posting is recommended as people start shifting into weekend mode. However, you might also catch a wave of engagement around 2 PM from those eager to finish their workweek.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Saturday
4 AM - 8 AM
Saturday generally sees lower engagement rates, making it one of the less effective days to post.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram: Sunday
4 AM or 6 PM
Sunday is also a challenging day for engagement. If you post, aim for early morning or late evening when people are scrolling to unwind.
Sources: Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Later.
Discovering the Best Times to Post by Understanding Your Audience
The times mentioned above may not be ideal for your brand, as they depend on your specific audience. To determine the best times for your posts, you need to understand your audience’s behavior. Factors such as location, age, and gender are crucial. Instagram Insights can also provide data on when your audience is most active on the platform!
You can easily find this information in your Instagram Insights, making it simple to adjust your strategy.
For example, if your audience is primarily based in California but you’re located in Canada, you’ll need to account for the time difference when posting around lunchtime.
Age demographics also play a role. If your audience is mostly between 25 and 35, consider posting in the evening rather than during the day.
The key takeaway? It’s not just about searching for “best times to post on Instagram reels” and following generic advice. It’s about understanding your audience and timing your posts when they’re most likely to engage with your content.
A/B Testing Optimal Posting Times for Instagram Reels
If you’re committed to discovering the best times to post Instagram reels for your brand, A/B testing is a valuable approach. Test various posting times, days, and content types to see which combinations yield the best results. Compare all options to determine what works most effectively for your audience.
Running A/B tests for Instagram reels isn’t a quick process. It requires patience and numerous posts before you can draw reliable conclusions. For example, if you post at 6:30 PM and notice 100 more likes than usual, this doesn’t automatically mean 6:30 PM is always the optimal time. You’ll need to continue testing over several weeks to confirm.
If you’re unfamiliar with A/B testing, it simply involves comparing different variables to see which performs better. While not complex, it does demand dedication and careful observation.
Don’t be discouraged if your results are unclear—Meta’s algorithms involve many variables, making it challenging to obtain definitive data. If you’re testing posting times and finding it difficult to interpret the results, it’s likely due to the algorithm, not your efforts.
If you have a large team and ample time, A/B testing can be valuable. Otherwise, experimenting can still offer insights, but if it doesn’t yield clear benefits, don’t stress. Stick to the general guidelines provided, and focus on other strategies to boost your engagement.
Conclusion
In the end, the optimal time to post Instagram reels is when your audience is most active and engaged. This could vary from lunchtime to after-hours, or even early in the morning.
Consider the times suggested in this article as a starting reference. Keep analyzing your audience’s behavior and preferences to refine your posting schedule. Understanding when your followers are most likely to interact with your content will help you identify the best times to share Instagram reels for your brand. 🎥