Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram and Make Them Go Viral

Timing is a crucial factor in getting the most out of an Instagram reel, though it’s not the most important one. Good content can perform well at any time! 

However, going viral on Instagram is another matter. To achieve this, you need to post reels when your followers are most active.

This depends on various factors, such as your audience demographics, industry, time zone, and type of content. 

While there are general guidelines on the best times to post reels on Instagram, it’s ideal to find the best time specific to your audience.

In this blog, you’ll discover the general best times to post (to go viral) and how to determine the optimal time for your content. Let’s get started!

When Is the Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram?

The best time to post Reels on Instagram can vary depending on multiple factors, such as your audience demographics, time zones, industry, and type of content. Based on our research, a general guideline for posting Reels on Instagram could be as follows:

Note: Remember that Instagram’s algorithm considers engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, and shares, when determining the reach of your Reels.

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Struggling to create captivating Reels and find the perfect posting times? We can help!
Our content creation service takes care of everything: Crafting captivating Reels, scheduling them for optimal times based on data and insights, and sharing them for you.
This frees you to focus on what matters most – growing your audience. Ready to make your Reels go viral on Instagram?

The Best Times To Post Reels on Mondays

The Best Times To Post Reels on Tuesdays

The Best Times To Post Reels On Wednesdays

The Best Times To Post Reels on Thursdays

The Best Times To Post Reels on Fridays

The Best Times To Post Reels on Saturdays

The Best Times To Post Reels on Sundays

Important Factors in Choosing the Best Time to Post Reels

Choosing the best time to post Instagram Reels involves considering several important factors to maximize their reach and engagement. Here are the most noticeable ones:

1. Knowing Your Audience 

Understand your target audience’s demographics, location, and behaviors. If you have a global audience, consider posting at times that align with different time zones to reach a wider range of people.

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2. Analyzing Past Performance 

Use Instagram analytics to study the performance of your previous Reels. Identify patterns in engagement and reach based on the time of posting to find when your audience is most active.

3. Peaking Usage Times 

Research the peak usage times of the social media platform you’re using. Different platforms may have varying peak times, and these are generally the periods when the most users are active, increasing the likelihood of your Reels being seen.

4. Avoiding Major Competition 

Be mindful of the timing of major events, holidays, or popular announcements, as these can dominate users’ feeds and reduce visibility for your Reels.

5. Consistency 

Building a consistent posting schedule can help your audience anticipate and look forward to your content. Regularly posting Reels at the same or similar times can create a habit for your followers to engage with your content.

6. Experimenting and A/B Testing

Utilize A/B testing to experiment with posting your Reels at various times throughout the day and week. A/B testing involves posting the same content at different times to two distinct audience segments. 

Don’t be afraid to try different posting times and measure the results. Social media algorithms change, and audience behavior can shift, so it’s essential to continually adapt your posting strategy based on data. 

Monitor the performance of each post to see which time slots generate the most engagement.

7. Engagement Over Time 

Monitor how engagement with your Reels changes over time after posting. Sometimes, Reels may not get an immediate response but can gain traction as they circulate in users’ feeds.

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8. Cross-Platform Considerations 

If you are posting your Reels on multiple platforms, take into account the optimal posting times for each platform. What works on Instagram might not necessarily work on TikTok or other platforms.

9. Time Zones 

For global or geographically diverse Instagram users, understanding different time zones can help you schedule Instagram posts to reach users in various regions effectively.

10. Reason for Posting 

Consider the purpose of your Reels and the message you want to convey. Certain times may be more suitable for specific content types or promotional activities.

11. Algorithm 

Be aware of how Instagram algorithm works. While algorithms are complex and ever-changing, posting at times when the algorithm is more likely to favor your content can positively impact visibility.

12. Industry 

Take your industry or niche into account when choosing the best posting time. For example, B2B audiences may have different online habits than B2C audiences.

How To Find Your Best Time To Post Instagram Reels?

Thanks to Instagram Insights, you can find your own best time to post reels. Here is a step-by-step guide: 

1. Tap on the Professional Dashboard and under Insights, choose Total Followers.

2. Scroll down to Most Active Times. Here, you’ll find graphs showing which days and hours your followers are most active on the platform. Swipe to the right or left to see the times by day. 

Do A/B testing

This method is very helpful to find your optimal posting time. Let’s learn how to do so:

1. Choose two time slots, for example, one from your total followers’ insights and another from general guidelines.
2. Now, schedule and share a reel with the same content at different times. 
3. After 24 or 48 hours, track engagement metrics like likes, plays, impressions, etc for reels. Then, compare the metrics for both reels.
   

The Reel with higher overall engagement across metrics suggests a more effective posting time for your audience.Pro tip: Conduct A/B tests with multiple Reels (more than 2) over a longer period to gather statistically significant data and account for potential external factors.

Last Words

As we conclude our exploration into the best time to post Reels on Instagram, we’ve unveiled the significance of timing in driving engagement and reach for your content. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and understanding your audience’s behavior is paramount to success.

By harnessing analytics tools like Instagram Insights, conducting A/B testing, and analyzing performance data, you can refine your posting schedule to match peak activity periods. Consistency and adaptability will be your allies in this journey, allowing you to make the most of every Reel you share.

So, go ahead and experiment, observe, and adapt. Embrace the power of perfect timing to elevate your Instagram Reels and captivate your audience like never before.

FAQs

Now that you know the best time to post Reels on Instagram, it’s time to take a look at a few frequently asked questions.

#1 Can a Reel Go Viral Days Later?

Yes, a Reel can go viral days later. Factors like ongoing engagement, sharing, algorithmic recognition, and trends contribute to prolonged visibility. 

As users share and discover content, it reaches new audiences, increasing the likelihood of viral success beyond the initial posting. 

Staying connected with your audience and creating engaging content is essential for maximizing a Reel’s viral potential over time.

#2 How To Make a Reel Go Viral After Posting?

While there’s no guaranteed formula for virality after posting, here are some essential tips to increase the chances of your Reel reaching a wide audience:

1. Grab Attention Quickly 

Start your Reel with an attention-grabbing hook to capture viewers’ interest from the very beginning. The first few seconds are crucial in enticing people to keep watching.

2. Create Engaging Content

Focus on producing high-quality, entertaining, and valuable content. Use humor, storytelling, or educational elements to engage your audience and encourage them to share the Reel with others.

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3. Ride on Trends and Challenges 

Capitalize on trending topics, challenges, or popular hashtags. Incorporate them creatively into your Reel to tap into existing conversations and boost discoverability.

4. Keep it Short and Snappy

Instagram Reels have a maximum duration of 60 seconds. Aim to deliver your message or story concisely and in an engaging manner within this time frame.

5. Use Captions and Text

Include eye-catching captions and text overlays to complement your visuals. This helps convey your message effectively, especially if users are watching without sound.

6. Leverage Music and Effects

Choose catchy music and use creative effects to enhance the overall appeal of your Reel. Instagram offers a vast library of audio tracks and effects to make your content stand out.

7. Encourage Engagement

Prompt viewers to like, comment, and share your Reel. Increased engagement signals Instagram’s algorithm that your content is valuable and may lead to wider exposure.

8. Optimize Posting Time 

Consider the optimal time to post your Reel by analyzing your audience’s behavior and using A/B testing. Posting when your followers are most active increases the chances of immediate engagement.

9. Cross-Promote

Share your Reel on other social media platforms, your website, or through direct messaging to reach a broader audience beyond Instagram.

10. Interact with Viewers 

Respond to comments and engage with viewers who interact with your Reel. Building a connection with your audience encourages loyalty and further sharing.

Remember, while these tips can enhance your chances of going viral, virality is never guaranteed. Keep experimenting, learn from your successes and failures, and continue refining your content and strategy.

#3. How Long Does It Take for A Reel to Go Viral?

There’s no set timeframe for a Reel to go viral on Instagram. But considering  Instagram algorithm updates, it can happen within minutes, hours, days, or even weeks in rare cases.