Social media companies such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook have their algorithms constantly changing, leaving the everyday small business to struggle with increasing their engagement. This post outlines just how to maximize the number of people who interact, like, and follow your brand on Instagram.

The most recent Instagram Engagement Data in 2020

Building up your Instagram followers often seems like a daunting task. Companies spend time creating compelling content that their audience cares about. Even after all the thought that goes into the material, if it’s not posted at the right time, the number of people who interact with it can be disappointingly low. That’s why it’s essential to use all the tools available to you and your brand, and correctly time the posts. Better timed posts lead to more engagement, more brand-customer interaction, and more success for you. 

The optimal time to post varies from account to account; the only way to truly get the best and accurate time would be to conduct your own analysis. But, chances are, you don’t have enough time or resources to do so, so there are a few hard and fast rules that you can follow. 

Best time of the day to post on Instagram

The Best Time to Post is between 2 pm and 3 pm CDT.

Even though the best time is between two and three, the level of engagement differs depending on the day of the week, and every weekday has it’s own optimal time to post.

The Best Day to Post is Thursday, not only at 3 pm but at 5 am, 11 am, and 4 pm.  Looking at this data is not hard to wonder why? Why is it during these times that you are likely to experience a surge in engagement? Well, I invite you to look at your own life, your own schedule, what moments during the day do you stop to scroll through Instagram? These are likely similar to millions of other people, and especially to your followers.

That being said, posting at 5 am CDT from Tuesday to Friday also generates some of the highest engagement. Most people are checking their phones right as they wake up, and chances are your post will be one of the first for that day. Posting from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm CDT during the weekdays also, unsurprisingly, generates some the highest engagement. Typically this is the time of people’s lunch breaks, the end of the workday, etc. 

Now, depending on what industry you are in, the best time can change even more. Before we get into that, here is our general analysis of the best time to post on Instagram each day CDT.

  • Sunday: 10 am- 2 pm
  • Monday: 11 am-2 pm
  • Tuesday: 6 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday: 5 am, 11 am-4 pm
  • Thursday: 5 am, 11 am-4 pm
  • Friday: 5 am, 11 am-1 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am-11 am

This data above is great if you want to test the waters out on your maximizing your engagement levels. If you want something a little more in-depth and specific to you without the hassle of doing your own research, you’re in luck! We have compiled our research and data also to find the best times to post on Instagram based on industry. 

Instagram timing for Technology Companies

  • Best Time: Wednesday 10:00 am CDT
  • Most Consistent Engagement: Wednesday-Friday 10:00 am-5:00 pm CDT
  • Best Day: Thursday
  • Worst Day: Sunday

Instagram timing for B2C Companies

  • Best Time: Friday at 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm CDT
  • Most Consistent Engagement: Every weekday 10:00 am-3:00 pm CDT
  • Best Day: Wednesday
  • Worst Day: Sunday

Instagram timing for Educational Organizations

  • Best Time: Monday 8:00 pm CDT
  • Most Consistent Engagement: Weekdays 11:00 am-4:00 pm CDT
  • Best Day: Monday
  • Worst Day: Sunday

Instagram timing for Healthcare Companies

  • Best Time: Tuesday 1:00 pm CDT
  • Most Consistent Engagement: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm CDT
  • Best Day: Tuesday
  • Worst Day: Saturday & Sunday

Instagram timing for Non-Profit Organizations

  • Best Times: Tuesday 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm, Wednesday 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Thursday 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and Friday 10:00 am and 2:00 pm,
  • Most Consistent Engagement: Weekdays 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
  • Best Day: Tuesday
  • Worst Day: Saturday

Social Media is so oversaturated that it’s hard to know when the right time to put out your content is. That being said, feel free to use our compilation of data to assist you in building a following on Instagram. When you want assistance on further maximizing your audience and engagement, make sure to contact the experts at Cheddar Advertising.