The Best Times to Post Reels on Instagram in 2024 (New)

Wondering when is the best time to post on Instagram in 2024? As Reels explode in popularity, this question becomes even more critical.

With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is too big to ignore. But its algorithm makes it tough to get visibility.

Post at the wrong times and your content gets buried. Leading to endless frustration and wasted effort.

The solution?

Figure out the optimal times to post reels on Instagram.

This ensures your content resonates with maximum users when they are most active. Helping you thrive on the platform.

According to Hubspot, brands see 120% more engagement by posting at the best times vs worst times.

So optimal timing can make or break your Instagram presence.

In this guide, we will dive into:

• The best days and times to post reels on Instagram
• Location-based differences in ideal posting times
• How to find your own peak Instagram engagement times
• Recommended posting frequency on Instagram
• Why timing matters for the Instagram algorithm
• Expert tips to maximize reels engagement

Let‘s get started!

When Should You Post on Instagram in 2024?

Here are the best times to post reels and regular posts on Instagram in 2024 based on weekdays:

Day	Best Time to Post Reels	Best Time to Post Regular Posts
Monday	5am, 9am, 9pm	11am-1pm
Tuesday	1am, 3am, 8am	10am-5pm
Wednesday	6am, 7am, 8pm	11am-1pm
Thursday	8am, 11am, 6pm	11am-12pm
Friday	4am, 12pm, 2pm	11am-1pm
Saturday	10am, 6pm, 7pm	10am-1pm
Sunday	6am, 7am, 3pm	9am-4pm

Let‘s understand what makes certain days and times better for posting reels on Instagram.

Why is Tuesday the Best Day to Post on Instagram Overall?

With 13 hours of steady engagement from 9am-10pm, Tuesday tops the charts as the best day to post on Instagram.

Mondays are busy as people catch up after the weekend. By Tuesday they are more relaxed and active on social media.

Views and engagement start picking up from Tuesday morning and last through the workday into the evening.

Wednesdays are also excellent as the mid-week hump leads to continued online activity. Thursdays and Fridays remain fairly active.

Why is Sunday the Worst Day for Posting on Instagram?

Engagement on Sundays tends to be sparse and scattered. It is the day for relaxation and fun activities offline.

Sunday sees the lowest Instagram usage of any day, making it the worst to publish your content.

Similar trends are seen across most social media, with weekends being bad timing in general.

How Do Best Times for Regular Posts vs Reels Differ?

Peak times for regular posts and reels don‘t perfectly overlap.

Audience behavior differs based on content formats.

Regular photo and video posts tend to get maximum visibility between 10am-1pm on weekdays. This slot aligns with lunch break scrolls.

For reels, early mornings and evenings get prime engagement as users check-in and wind down their day on Instagram.

BuzzSumo‘s analysis of 100 million Instagram posts validates this pattern. Reels posted before 10am or after 3pm get 30-50% more engagement.

How Location Impacts Optimal Posting Times on Instagram

Best times to post also depend on your audience‘s location and timezone.

For instance, evenings are peak time in Europe but early mornings work best for Asia. Similarly, the US and Canada have different best slots.

Here are the best times to post on Instagram by location:

Location	Best Time to Post
West Coast US and Canada	12am-6am local time
Central US and Canada	6am-8am local time
East Coast US and Canada	4am-9am local time
South America	4am local time
UK	4am-6am local time
Western Europe	6pm-8pm local time
Eastern Europe	5am-7am local time
Africa	6am local time
South Asia and Middle East	3am local time
East and Southeast Asia	11pm-4am local time

These location-based differences stem from:

• Varying Timezones: Post timing needs to align with active hours in your audience‘s timezone.
• Cultural Differences: Morning routines and sleep patterns can differ by region. This impacts when users are on Instagram.
• Work Styles: Office hours and commute times vary globally based on work cultures. These influence usage peaks.

So while general rules exist, your audience‘s geography matters.

Experiment to pinpoint the exact best times to post for your target market.

How to Find YOUR Optimal Instagram Posting Times

While the above data provides an excellent starting point, your audience may behave differently.

To determine YOUR own peak times for maximum engagement, use these proven tactics:

1. Analyze Your Top-Performing Posts

Your Instagram Insights reveal when your best content went live.

Compare publish times for your most and least engaging posts from the last 3 months. Observe any patterns.

This historical performance data is the #1 indicator of ideal future timing.

2. See When Your Audience is Most Active

Check Instagram analytics to identify when your followers are online. Try posting during those activity peaks.

For Business accounts, the Audience Insights report under Content > Activity shows hourly and daily usage graphs.

Use follower demographics to guess their online patterns as well. Like teens checking Instagram after school.

3. Learn from Competitors

See when your competitors and industry colleagues post. What works for them?

Tools like Iconosquare let you analyze competitors‘ posting habits.

Their best times likely also appeal to your shared audience.

4. Post Per Your Audience‘s Timezone

Having a global audience? Pay attention to their timezones rather than your own.

Schedule Instagram posts to go live during your audience‘s peak activity periods. Timezone targeting maximizes visibility.

Use a social media management platform like Hootsuite to schedule posts by timezone.

5. Regularly Review and Refine Your Timing

Consistently check engagement metrics for your posts over the preceding month.

If any particular days or hours stand out, update your posting cadence accordingly.

Optimization is an ongoing process as audience patterns evolve. Stay on top of Instagram Insights.

Tip: Leverage the Best Times for Your Most Important Posts

As you find what timing works best, use it for your lead magnets, big announcements, etc. to maximize reach.

What‘s the Best Posting Frequency on Instagram?

Post frequency also impacts Instagram success, besides timing optimization.

So what‘s the ideal posting cadence?

The consensus among experts is 4-7 posts per week or 1 post per day. This strikes the right balance between visibility and oversaturation.

Here are the benefits of daily posting on Instagram:

• More Content Variety: You can showcase different topics, products etc. rather than recycle the same posts.
• Increased Exposure: The algorithm shows recently active accounts more. So posting daily keeps your content bubbling up.
• Improved Engagement: Followers stay invested as you provide fresh material daily.
• Brand Consistency: Consistent posting strengthens your brand identity and community.
• Enhanced Discoverability: You tap into trending hashtags, challenges etc. by posting frequently.
• Higher Ad Performance: Regular organic activity boosts the reach of your paid promotions too.

That said, quality trumps quantity when posting on Instagram.

If you can only churn out captivating content 2-3 times a week, that‘s fine. Value should outweigh frequency.

Ultimately, strike the right balance for your bandwidth. Just stay consistent week over week.

Why Choosing the Right Instagram Posting Times Matters

"When should I post on Instagram for maximum reach?"

This question is vital because timing directly impacts 3 aspects:

1. Instagram Algorithm

The algorithm checks how quickly a post gets engagement. Faster = higher ranking.

Posts shared at your audience‘s peak activity times generate quick reactions. Appearing higher in feeds and Stories.

73% of Instagram users say recent posts are most visible to them. Recency and speed boost ranking.

2. Exposure

When you post determines who sees your content.

Well-timed posts reach fans when they are active on Instagram. Guaranteeing visibility.

Poorly-timed posts fly under the radar as users aren‘t online to see them. Wasting your effort.

Late nights and early mornings sees the least traffic. While afternoons tend to be busy.

3. Engagement

Interactions like likes and comments partner with visibility.

Followers are more likely to engage with posts they see during their usual Instagramming hours. When attention spans are good.

Bad timing leads to low engagement. And reduced future visibility as the algorithm deprioritizes inactive posts.

In contrast, posting when your audience is primed to interact shoots engagement through the roof!

Align your timing with peak platform usage and real-world routines for Instagram success.

Expert Tips to Maximize Engagement on Instagram Reels

Optimizing when you post reels is the first step. To squeeze all the juice from them, also follow these pro tips:

🎥 Use Attention-Grabbing Thumbnails

Dynamic first frames boost clicks. Use bold colors, striking captions and chapter-style openings.

🤳 Show Your Personality

Reels that showcase your authentic self perform better. Let your personality shine through!

📈 Leverage Trending Songs and Hashtags

Increase discoverability by aligning with viral memes, songs and challenges.

🤝 Cross-Promote with Nano or Micro Influencers

Collab reels expand your collective reach and engagement.

🎉 Provide Giveaways and Promos

Reels promoting special offers, contests and giveaways see high engagement.

📋 Batch-Create Content

Make reels in batches for consistent posting. Schedule them using tools like Hootsuite.

Wrap Up: Key Takeaways

Timing your Instagram posts well is crucial for growth in 2024 and beyond.

To summarize:

✅ The best day to post is Tuesday, with 11am-1pm being optimal for regular posts. For reels, try Monday and Wednesday mornings.

✅ Posting times vary by your audience‘s location and timezone. East Coast US peaks around 4am-9am local time for instance.

✅ Analyze your top-performing posts and competitors’ timing to find your perfect times.

✅ Posting 1x daily fuels growth by keeping your content visible. But focus on value over frequency.

✅ Well-timed content rank higher in feeds and get more engagement. Optimal timing is key for Instagram algorithm success.

✅ Use reels best practices like trending hashtags and cross-promotion to maximize views.

Consistently posting awesome content at your audience‘s prime times is the key to Instagram fame!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m happy to help further customize this guide to your needs.