If you use Instagram long enough, you will start to notice patterns in engagement with your posts and reels. You might notice that certain types of content are more widely liked, or that posting at certain times garners more likes.
Knowing how to schedule posts during peak user times can be incredibly successful in drawing more attention to your account. Here’s how to schedule posts on Instagram to drive better engagement.
How to Schedule Instagram Posts and Reels
Scheduling Instagram posts, reels, and carousels in advance is pretty simple. Here are a couple different methods on how to schedule posts ahead of time.
Schedule Posts with a Business Account
If you have a professional account on Instagram, then you can easily schedule your posts ahead of time. Just follow these steps:
- After setting up your post or reel, go to “Advanced Settings.”
- Tap “Schedule” and select a day and time you want the post to be published.
- Tap “Done” and your schedule post will be good to go!
You can then manage all your scheduled posts or reels directly from your profile. Just click the three lines in the top right and you should find the “scheduled content” section. From there, you can reschedule your posts, delete any posts, or choose to share them now.
Schedule Posts with a Third-Party Tool
There are also third-party tools available that can help you schedule multiple posts ahead of time! Let’s check out a few below.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that lets you manage all your social media accounts in one centralized location. You will need to link your Instagram Business or Creator account to Hootsuite first.
After that, you can schedule posts, create posts, and track your performance here. With Hootsuite, you can schedule as many as 350 posts with the Bulk Message Upload feature.
Meta for Business
Because Meta owns both Facebook and Instagram, you can also set up a Meta Business account, where you can schedule and post on both social media platforms simultaneously. Much like Hootsuite, you can create and schedule all your content from this one central hub.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to schedule posts with Meta Business:
- After creating your post, click “Schedule.”
- Select the date and time you want to publish the post on your Instagram or Facebook account (or both).
You can then keep tabs on all your scheduled posts in the “Scheduled” section of the “Posts & Stories” page of your account.
Why Scheduling Posts Can Be Important
According to Statista.com, Instagram has over 2 billion active users. Drumming up interest in your business or online persona takes more than just good brand presence. You also need to understand how the market you are targeting works.
Scheduling posts so that the majority of your Followers will catch it can drive further interest and engagement in your account. Statista.com notes that the average reach for carousel posts was around 2,325 people. That reach, combined with the content you post and the time you chose to post it, will boost your account’s overall visibility.
The more people view and follow your account, the more popular your account will become. This, in turn, can drive even more eyes to your account and so on. It’s an exponential cycle that can prove to be quite lucrative and fulfilling.
FAQs
How far in advance can I schedule a post or Reel?
You can schedule a post or reel as far as 75 days in advance. With Meta Business, you can schedule a post as far ahead as 90 days in advance.
What is the best time to upload Instagram posts?
The peak engagement times will depend on what corner of the global market you are appealing to. If you are appealing to a local market, then around 7-8 A.M. is a good time to post. According to Search Engine Journal, this is because most people will check their social media right when they wake up.
Another good time range to post is between 11 AM to 1 PM. Presumably, this is due to the majority of your audience eating lunch at this time and checking social media once more. Instagram algorithms tend to push more recent posts to the forefront, so knowing when your followers are more likely to be on the platform can help your account gain more traction.
How many Instagram posts can I schedule ahead of time?
You can schedule as many as 25 posts per day.
Are there posts I can’t schedule?
You can’t schedule any posts with product tagging, sponsored posts, fundraiser posts, or posts made in collaboration or cross-posted with Facebook.
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