Can you imagine waking up at 5 a.m. just to post something for your Instagram marketing strategy? Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, research shows that early mornings are actually among the best times to post on Instagram for better social media engagement.
Instagram is the third most preferred social media platform in Bulgaria after Facebook and YouTube. More and more celebrities and businesses are creating their official Instagram pages. Today, being part of the Instagram community is almost a necessity for any brand. Posts and Stories help build your brand image, attract followers, and of course, boost sales through effective Instagram marketing. While actors, singers, and athletes can post almost anything they want, business pages must be far more careful and strategic with their Instagram content.
You need to pay close attention to every detail of the visuals you share from your business profile. They should send a clear message and, importantly, should be scheduled for the optimal times according to your Instagram business strategy.
Not so long ago, the website HubSpot.com released recommendations on the best time to post on Instagram.
They concluded it’s generally best to post between 2 and 3 p.m. However, you should always keep in mind which day of the week it is.
- Monday — from 9 am to 5 pm (the ideal time is between 11 am and 2 pm)
- Tuesday — from 8 am to 7 pm (the ideal time is between 6 pm and 7 pm)
- Wednesday — from 5 am to 3 pm (the ideal time is around 11 am)
- Thursday — from 5 am to 4 pm ( the ideal time is around 11 am)
- Friday — from 5 am to 2 pm ( the ideal time is around 5 am or 11 am)
- Saturday — from 9 am to 11 am
- Sunday — from 10 am to 2 pm
Why so? Well, the first thing people do when they wake up is… check their social media. Posting as early as 5 a.m. Monday through Friday ensures you reach those who love to start their day online. Between 7 and 8 a.m., everyone’s usually rushing—to work, taking kids to school, or walking the dog.
The next best window for Instagram marketing during the week is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Why? Because people browse their phones during lunch breaks or whenever they need a quick mental break from work.
Weekends aren’t the most ideal time for Instagram business strategy, but if you still want to post, aim for around 11 a.m. That’s when people are often having breakfast or out for a stroll.
Research also shows that the best time to post on Instagram for tech companies is Wednesday at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are generally the days when users are most interested in tech products and services.
For B2C companies that sell products or services directly to consumers, the best time to post is Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Their target audience is also quite engaged on Instagram every day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, it’s best to avoid Sundays.
According to the same analysis, if you operate a business related to education, your posts will reach the most followers if published on Monday at 8 a.m. Outside of that, aim for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and definitely avoid Sundays.
Healthcare companies should aim to post on Tuesday at 1 p.m. For the rest of the week, the optimal window for Instagram marketing is between Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The least favorable days are Saturday and Sunday.
Nonprofit organizations have multiple opportunities for engagement — Tuesday at 3 p.m. or 9 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., and Friday at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Saturdays remain the worst day for their Instagram posts.
Why should you be careful?
A well-timed photo on Instagram means your message is seen by as many people as possible. The Instagram algorithm works similarly to Facebook’s: the more people who see and engage with your content, the more visible it becomes across the feeds of other users. It’s a domino effect. While Instagram may still be considered the platform of choice for celebrities, businesses shouldn’t lag behind. Brands need to create not just product photos but compelling Instagram content that sparks interest and curiosity as part of a successful Instagram marketing strategy.