Discover the Best Times to Post Instagram Reels

There's no one right answer when it comes to posting Reels. That said, there are a few general tips you can follow. Just remember that your posting schedule is something that should be tailored to your own needs and shouldn't be set in stone. If you've found something that's working well for other people but not for you, don't be afraid to tweak it. Ultimately, it's about reaching users who are interested in your content. 

Once you get to the end of this post, you’ll become a real pro at identifying the best time to post Reels on Instagram. So, let’s not waste any more time…

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When to Post Reel on Instagram?

As a general rule, these are the times when most people are using Instagram:

• Weekdays, particularly Wednesday and Thursday, between 11 AM and 2 PM local time
• Evenings from 6 PM to 8 PM local time

Are the Right Posting Times the Same Across All Platforms?

The optimal posting times can differ significantly between Instagram Reels and other social media platforms due to different user behavior patterns and platform algorithms. 

These different times occur due to several key platform-specific factors:

1. User Behavior Patterns

• Instagram Reels: Often browsed during breaks, lunch hours, and after work when people seek quick entertainment
• TikTok: Has a more "nighttime entertainment" culture, with users often binge-watching late into the night
• LinkedIn: Viewed primarily during business hours since it's professionally focused
• Facebook: Peaks during mid-afternoon when people take mental breaks at work

2. Algorithm Differences

• Instagram prioritizes fresh content for about 4-6 hours after posting
• TikTok's algorithm is less time-sensitive, allowing videos to go viral days or weeks later
• LinkedIn's algorithm favors content posted during business hours
• Facebook's algorithm considers both timing and initial engagement

3. Audience Demographics

• Instagram: Broad age range, but core users are 18-34
• TikTok: Younger audience, more likely to be active late at night
• LinkedIn: Professional audience, active during work hours
• Facebook: Older average user base, more active mid-day

4. Content Consumption Habits

• Reels: Quick, engaging content consumed in short bursts
• TikTok: Users often enter "scroll holes" for longer periods
• LinkedIn: Content is consumed more deliberately and professionally
• Facebook: More casual browsing throughout the day

5. Global Time Zones

• Instagram and Facebook: More regionally focused engagement
• TikTok: Highly global audience, making timing less crucial
• LinkedIn: Primarily business hours in major business regions

Instagram Reels Posting Time Based on Content Type

It's not just about the numbers. The type of content you're sharing can also affect the best time to post Reels on Instagram. 

• Leisure-Focused Content: People who are looking for a bit of fun, a creative boost, or just something to take their mind off things are more likely to be active on Instagram in the evenings and at weekends when they've got more time to scroll through their feeds and engage with content.
• Educational or Informative Content: People who want to learn something new or get more info are probably going to be more likely to engage with content during their commute, lunch break, or other times when they have a few minutes to spare.
• Trending or Time-Sensitive Content: If you're posting about something that's trending or happening right now, it's a good idea to do it during peak usage hours. That way, you can get the most engagement before the content loses its relevance.

A Quick Rundown of the Best Times to Post Reels on Each Day of the Week

Monday

The best time to post Reels on Monday is:

• 3 AM or 7 PM EST
• 2 AM or 6 PM CST
• 12 AM or 5 PM PST

Many people see Monday as the start of the workweek, so it's a great idea to post during the early morning or evening when more people are online and ready to see what's new.

Tuesday

The best time to post Reels on Tuesday:

• 2 AM, 4 AM, and 9 AM EST
• 1 AM, 3 AM, and 8 AM CST
• 12 PM, 2 AM, and 6 AM PST

Tuesday's posting schedule is pretty typical for a midweek slump, so it's a great idea to share your Reels during the early morning and late evening hours to make sure your audience doesn't miss them.

Wednesday

The best times to post Reels on Wednesdays are:

• 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM EST
• 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM CST
• 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM PST

Wednesdays often get the reputation of being the "hump day" of the week, and it's during this midweek period that users are more active on Instagram. Posting during the late morning and early afternoon can really help your posts get noticed on Reels.

Thursday

The best time to post Reel on Thursday is:

• 11 AM and 12 PM EST
• 10 AM and 11 AM CST
• 7 AM and 8 AM PST

Thursday is another busy day on Instagram. Lots of people use the platform during their lunch breaks or to unwind after work.

Friday

The best time to post Reel on Friday is:

• 10 AM to 11 AM, 1 PM to 2 PM, and 4 PM to 5 PM EST
• 9 AM to 10 AM, 12 PM to 1 PM, and 3 PM to 4 PM CST
• 7 AM to 8 AM, 10 AM to 11 AM, and 1 PM to 2 PM PST

As the end of the workweek gets closer, people are looking for ways to unwind and relax on Instagram, so it's a great time to start posting! Try sharing your content in the late morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon to take advantage of this trend.

Saturday

The best time to post Reels on Saturday is:

• 9 AM, 4 PM, and 5 PM EST
• 8 AM, 3 PM, and 4 PM CST
• 6 AM, 1 PM, and 2 PM PST

We all know that weekends are a different story when it comes to using social media. People are more engaged during the midday and evening hours. So, it's a great idea to share your Reels then if you want to reach more people. 

Sunday

The best time to post Reels on Sunday is:

• 11 AM, 2 PM, and 7 PM EST
• 10 AM, 1 PM, and 6 PM CST
• 8 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM PST

On Sunday, many users tend to take it easy. They might scroll through Instagram during their morning routines, midday breaks, or evening wind-down periods.

Just a heads up: These are just general guidelines, based on broad trends. They might work great for you, or maybe they'll be totally irrelevant for your specific audience. Either way, don't be afraid to experiment and keep an eye on the results. 

Should You Post Reels During the Holidays?

It can be a good idea to post Reels during the holidays, but there are a few things to think about first.

1. Timing - Post Reels when your audience is around and active, which might change during holidays. Check your analytics to see the times when engagement is highest.
2. Themes - Think about creating holiday-themed Reels that fit the season. You could do something like a behind-the-scenes look at your holiday prep, a gift guide, or some fun holiday activities.
3. Trends - Get more visibility by hopping on popular holiday-related Reel trends and challenges.
4. Consistency - Even on a holiday, it's still good to stick with your usual posting routine. Try to keep your audience engaged by regularly delivering new posts. 
5. Promotion - Make sure you use relevant holiday hashtags and tag your locations so your Reels are easier to find.

Who Is Your Target Audience?

If you want to know the best time to post Reels on Instagram, you've got to understand who your target audience is and when they're most active on the platform. 

1. Take a look at your current followers and see what you can learn from them.some text
   • Head over to Instagram Insights and check out the demographics of the people who follow you. This will help you see who you're reaching with your content.
   • This will give you a good idea of who's already engaging with your content.
2. Find out how well your content is doing.some text
   • Check out your Reels analytics. See which ones got the most views, likes, comments, and shares.
   • See if you can spot any trends in the type of content, timing of posts, and level of engagement with your followers.
3. Do some research on your industry and your competitors.some text
   • Take a look at what your competitors and other successful accounts in your field are posting and think about how you could improve your own content and posting strategies.
   • This can help you figure out which Reels your target audience is going to love.
4. Make the most of Instagram's audience targeting tools.some text
   • Use Instagram's audience targeting features to create detailed profiles of your ideal Reel viewers.
   • You can filter by things like demographics, interests, behaviors, and more to narrow down your target audience.
5. Try out different approaches and see what works.some text
   • Test out different posting times and see which days and times your audience is most engaged.
   • Keep an eye on how your Reels are performing and make any necessary changes to your posting schedule.

When Is the Best Day to Post Reels on Instagram? 

If you're looking to get the most engagement on your Instagram posts, try posting your Reels on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These days tend to have the highest engagement on the platform overall.

Let BigMotion Automate Your Instagram Reels Workflow!

Keeping up with the best times to post to your Instagram Reels can be a lot of work, especially as your audience and content change. That's where we come in. BigMotion is an AI-powered video creation platform designed to make your work easier.

The platform makes it easy to create reels from start to finish. You can write the script, do the animation, get the voiceover, and choose the music—all in just a few clicks. You can make reels on any topic or niche.

To get the ball rolling, just sign up for a BigMotion account and connect your Instagram profile. The platform will take care of the rest, ensuring your Reels are posted at the optimal times to reach your target audience.