As a small business owner, you may be wondering when the best time to post on Instagram is. After all, you want to make sure that your content is seen by as many people as possible. In 2023, with the ever-changing algorithms and user behavior on Instagram, it can be challenging to figure out the best time to post. But fear not, in this blog, we will break down everything you need to know about the best time to post on Instagram in 2023 for small businesses.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s first understand why timing is essential when it comes to Instagram. Instagram’s algorithm is designed to show users content that is relevant to their interests and is posted when they are most active. Therefore, if you post your content at a time when your followers are not online, your posts may not get the engagement you were hoping for. On the other hand, if you post when your followers are active, you increase the likelihood of engagement and exposure.
Now that we understand why timing is crucial let’s look at the best times to post on Instagram in 2023 for small businesses.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in 2023 for Small Businesses
you know that Instagram is a powerful tool for digital marketing. It allows you to showcase your products or services, build brand awareness, and engage with your customers. However, if you’re not posting at the right times, your content may not reach its full potential. In this blog post, we’ll go over the best times to post on Instagram in 2023 for small businesses.
Overview of the best times to post on Instagram overall
Before we dive into industry-specific best times to post, let’s first look at the best times to post on Instagram overall. These are the times that have been shown to have the highest engagement rates across all industries.
According to Sprout Social‘s 2021 research, the best times to post on Instagram are:
Sure, here’s a table that converts the mentioned times into US Pacific Time:
Day | Best Posting Times in PST (US Pacific Time) |
Monday | 11am-2pm PST |
Tuesday | 8am-9am PST |
Wednesday | 6am PST, 11am-12pm PST |
Thursday | 5am PST, 11am-12pm PST |
Friday | 6am PST, 9am-12pm PST |
Saturday | 5am PST, 11am-12pm PST |
Sunday | 6am PST, 9am-12pm PST |
As you can see, the best times to post on Instagram are generally during weekdays, with peak engagement times being during lunch hours (11am-2pm PST) and in the morning (between 6am and 9am PST).
Industry-specific best times to post (food & beverage, fashion, beauty)
While the overall best times to post on Instagram are a good starting point, it’s important to keep in mind that different industries may have different optimal posting times. Here are the best times to post for three popular industries:
Food & Beverage
If you’re in the food and beverage industry, the best times to post on Instagram are generally during mealtimes. According to Later’s research, the best times to post for this industry are:
Day | Best Posting Times in PST (US Pacific Time) |
---|---|
Monday | 11am-1pm PST |
Tuesday | 8am-9am PST |
Wednesday | 11am PST |
Thursday | 11am PST |
Friday | 11am-1pm PST |
Saturday | 11am-2pm PST |
Sunday | 11am-2pm PST |
Fashion
For the fashion industry, the best times to post on Instagram are when people are likely to be on their phones, such as in the morning and in the evening. According to Hootsuite’s research, the best times to post for this industry are:
Day | Best Posting Times in PST (US Pacific Time) |
---|---|
Monday | 6am PST, 10am-11am PST |
Tuesday | 2am PST, 4am PST, 9am PST |
Wednesday | 7am PST, 8am PST, 11am PST |
Thursday | 7am PST, 11am PST, 2pm PST |
Friday | 6am PST, 9am PST, 11am PST |
Saturday | 7am PST, 8am PST |
Sunday | 7am PST, 8am PST, 4pm-5pm PST |
Beauty
For the beauty industry, the best times to post on Instagram are generally during the week. According to Later’s research, the best times to post for this industry are:
Day | Best Posting Times in PST (US Pacific Time) |
---|---|
Monday | 11am-2pm PST |
Tuesday | 8am-3pm PST |
Wednesday | 5am-6am PST, 11am-12pm PST |
Thursday | 5am-6am PST, 11am-12pm PST |
Friday | 5am-6am PST |
Fitness
Day | Best Times to Post (PST) |
---|---|
Monday | 6am-7am, 8am-9am, 5pm-6pm |
Tuesday | 6am-7am, 8am-9am, 5pm-6pm |
Wednesday | 6am-7am, 8am-9am, 5pm-6pm |
Thursday | 6am-7am, 8am-9am, 5pm-6pm |
Friday | 6am-7am, 8am-9am |
Saturday | 9am-10am, 11am-12pm |
Sunday | 9am-10am, 11am-12pm |
Travel
Day | Best Times to Post on Instagram (PST) |
---|---|
Monday | 2pm-3pm |
Tuesday | 2pm-3pm |
Wednesday | 8am-9am, 2pm-3pm |
Thursday | 8am-9am, 2pm-3pm |
Friday | 8am-9am, 2pm-3pm |
Saturday | 11am-1pm |
Sunday | 11am-1pm |
Technology
Day | Time (Pacific Standard Time) |
---|---|
Monday | 10am-12pm PST, 2pm-4pm PST |
Tuesday | 10am-12pm PST, 2pm-4pm PST |
Wednesday | 10am-12pm PST, 2pm-4pm PST |
Thursday | 10am-12pm PST, 2pm-4pm PST |
Friday | 10am-12pm PST |
Saturday | 10am-11am PST, 2pm-3pm PST |
Sunday | 10am-11am PST, 2pm-3pm PST |
Factors to consider when determining your own optimal posting times
As a business owner or marketer, you know that Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms out there. With more than 1 billion monthly active users, it’s a platform that you can’t afford to ignore if you want to connect with your target audience.
But with so much competition for attention on the platform, how can you ensure that your posts get seen by the right people at the right time? That’s where timing comes in. Knowing when to post on Instagram is crucial for maximizing engagement and getting the most out of your social media efforts.
So, how can you determine your best time to post on Instagram? Here are some factors to consider:
1. Your target audience’s demographics and time zone
One of the first things to consider when determining your optimal posting times is your target audience’s demographics and location. Are they mostly based in one time zone or spread out across different regions? What times of day are they most active on Instagram? Understanding these factors can help you identify the best times to post to reach your specific audience.
2. Peak usage times of Instagram users in general
It’s also important to take into account the peak usage times of Instagram users in general. While your target audience may have specific patterns of activity, it’s also helpful to know when Instagram users as a whole are most active. According to studies, the most optimal posting times for Instagram are between 11am to 2pm and 7pm to 9pm on weekdays, and on weekends between 10am to 2pm.
3. Your industry and the type of content you post
Different industries and types of content may have varying optimal posting times. For example, if you’re in the food or hospitality industry, posting during mealtimes could be more effective. If you post inspirational or motivational content, posting early in the morning could resonate more with your audience. Consider the nature of your business and content to determine the most effective times to post.
4. Your own engagement data and patterns
To determine the best time to post for your specific Instagram account, it’s important to analyze your own engagement data and patterns. Take a look at when your posts receive the most likes, comments, and shares. This can give you insight into when your audience is most active and engaged, which can inform your posting schedule.
5. The best time to post for you could be the time your audience is most active, know by checking your Instagram insights.
Finally, Instagram provides valuable insights into your audience’s activity patterns. By checking your Instagram insights, you can see when your followers are most active on the platform. Use this data to inform your posting schedule and optimize your posts for maximum engagement.
In conclusion, timing is an essential factor in Instagram success. By taking into account your target audience’s demographics, peak usage times of Instagram users, industry and content type, engagement data, and Instagram insights, you can determine the optimal times to post for your business. With the right timing strategy, you can maximize your Instagram engagement and reach your desired audience with your content.