The science of Instagram can leave most of us stumped these days, especially with the algorithm changing so often. Here are 3 tips to help you find the best time to post on Instagram in 2020:

Study Your Audience Instagram Time Analytics

Setting up your Instagram account set up as a business or creator account will give you access analytics inside the app. Those analytics will give you a birds eye view of the days and times that your audience is online. In the photo below you’ll see that on Monday’s my audience is most active between 9-3. While thats helpful, that’s still a pretty huge window right?

To get more specific timing try Facebook creator studio. Yes, we are talking about Instagram posting times but you should know that the two are married by now. Creator Studio gives the analytics that you see inside the IG app but they take it a step further and break down active times by the hour. Best of all, its FREE!

In FB Creator Studio, the white squares represent the least active times for your audience. While, the dark blue square are the most active times for your Instagram audience.

Test Your Peak Days and Times on IG

Now that you know the most active times for your audience, it’s time to put them to the test. Also note that the times give by both your Instagram analytics tab is based on your local time zone (the time zone of your phone) and Facebook Creator Studio is based on PST.

It’s important to understand that those peak times are intended to be a guide. Nothing is 100% accurate, so you have to throw things at your “Instagram wall” to see what sticks. Start with the peak times given by your analytics. If those post don’t perform as well as you hope, then try other times of the day: morning, early afternoon, evening, bedtime… it’s a lot of trial and error. Just because mornings work best for you on Monday’s doesn’t mean they will on Thursday.

This is why it’s important to post amazing content consistently, so that you learn what your best IG time is for any day of the week. I’ll also add that those times will change throughout the year as seasons (and the algorithm) changes. I have to re-establish my peak times a few times a year.

Know When You Can Engage With Your Audience

While it’s important to know when your audience is active, it’s your schedule that matters the most. Ultimatly the best time to post on Instagram is when you have time to be on Instagram. Post at a time where you have 30 min to and hour to stay online to engage back with your audience. To have an engaged community, you have to be willing to engage. Don’t post 10 min before you have to be in a meeting or before you have to run to the grocery store.

You should respond to all comments and DMs as often as you can. Think about how you feel when one of your favorite influencers or celebrities responds to you… you likely give someone else that same feeling. Not only is it important to respond to comments on your own posts but you should engage on other posts as well. Keep up with your community and check their feeds/stories. Dedicate 30 min a day do doing this for the next month or two and let me know if you notice a difference.

Your Takeaway

Your audience peak times + your availability to post and engage= the best time to post on Instagram.

The algorithm is ever changing and having an engaged Instagram community doesn’t happen over night. However, it is possible with real time and effort. Do you have any best practices for keeping your community engaged on Instagram or finding the best time to post on Instagram? Let me know if this helped or drop a best practice in the comments.

PS. I’ve reopened my coaching calendar for the month of October. Click here to schedule a call.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO