How Often Should You Post on Instagram for Lasting Growth?

Do you wonder, “How often should I post on Instagram to gain more followers or keep my audience engaged? Figuring out the right posting frequency is not rocket science — but it’s not easy, either. You have to account for shifting trends and algorithm updates. Then, social media fatigue – yes, it’s a real thing – and that the ideal number of posts changes over time. How often you should post on Instagram can be daunting to figure out. However, these general guidelines can help you stay on target. 

How Often Should You Post on Instagram To Grow?

There are a lot of variables that determine the best number of posts to make on your Instagram account. These variables include:

• Your account type — is it a personal account or a business/creator account? 
• The industry you’re in and the kind of audience you’re targeting. 
• The type of content, product, or service you’re posting and how many followers you have. 
• The hashtags you choose and are relevant to your business, brand, or industry?

Increasing your follower count for growth is the ultimate goal for most Instagram users. Knowing how many times you should post per day, week, or month is a must for a successful growth strategy. Let’s examine what some studies and industry experts say about Instagram posting frequency.

• A social media engagement analysis found that the average posting frequency on Instagram is 4x per week. The study examined 14 industries across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• According to a study from Spark Social Agency, posting on Instagram 3-4 times per week for feed posts and 4-7 times per week for Reels is optimal for growth in 2024. This strategy helps maintain engagement without overwhelming your audience.
• Later’s 2024 analysis of 81 million feed posts found that the more posts per week, the greater the reach. This analysis excludes the use of reels and Instagram stories. You should definitely use Instagram stories for automatic likes and engagement.

How Often To Post on Instagram: It’s All About Your Followers

Knowing how often to post on social media, especially Instagram, depends mainly on your followers. Your follower count can influence the best times and frequency for posting. Always focus on creating valuable content that resonates with your audience. Aim to post multiple times each week to keep your followers engaged. Linking to your other social media accounts, like your Facebook page, can boost engagement and reach a broader audience.

So, How Many Times Should You Post on Instagram?

How often you should post on Instagram depends on your follower count and your overall social media strategy. The number of posts per week affects reach and engagement. Here’s what is recommended:

• Less than 1,000 followers: 14 posts per week or two daily posts.
• Between 1,000 and 250k followers: 14 to 20 posts per week for the highest reach or one post per week for the best engagement per post.
• More than 250k followers: One post per week for maximum reach and engagement per Instagram post.

The more followers you have, the less you should post. Accounts with fewer followers need more frequent posts to increase reach and engagement. They must engage new audiences consistently. However, accounts with more followers must find the right balance between the reach and rate of engagement per post.

High Reach Rates Don’t Always Mean High Engagement

Extensive reach doesn’t always equate to a high engagement rate. When an account posts too many times, its audience will not engage with every one of its posts. In such instances, audiences cherry-pick which posts they’ll like and comment on. Instead of flooding your feed, spread your content and find the best posting cadence for your audience.

Accounts with higher follower counts can rely on their existing community to maintain good numbers for reach and engagement. These accounts have already established themselves. Therefore, their high follower numbers practically guarantee that each post will reach a significant percentage of their target audience. In summary, how often you post on Instagram depends on your number of followers.

When To Post on Instagram

How often you should post on Instagram, whether daily or weekly, should also follow the best times to post on Instagram. These times vary based on your industry, audience type, and content. To find the ideal posting schedule for your brand, you can use Instagram Insights to analyze your audience’s behavior.

Experiment with different posting times while monitoring how your Insights data changes. Did posting at a particular time increase reach or engagement? Once you find a schedule that optimizes your posting frequency for maximum reach and engagement, stick to it.

However, if your numbers decline, it could signal a trend shift or an Instagram algorithm update. You’ll have to repeat your trial and error process to re-establish your solid footing on the platform. In that case, adjust your strategy and experiment again to find a new optimal posting schedule. Focusing on the best posting frequency and times can maximize your Instagram reach and engagement, helping your brand grow effectively.

Optimizing Your Instagram Posting Schedule for Maximum Impact

Now that you know how often you should post on Instagram, let’s tackle when you should post on the platform. You should follow the established best times to post on Instagram. These times differ across niches, industries, audience types, and content types. Wednesdays are a sure bet for most industries, and posting is first thing in the morning. Typically, around 4-5 AM for maximum exposure. In addition, knowing the current trends within your industry and for your audience narrows down your ideal posting time. For a deeper dive into the specifics of your brand/business, analyze your Instagram Insights.

Use the information from your Insights to experiment with various posting times. Take into consideration how frequently you should post weekly or daily. Keep an eye on how your Insights data changes. Did your post reach more people at a particular time and/or receive more engagement? Once you’ve figured out a posting strategy that optimizes your posting frequency for reach and engagement, stick to it. If you notice a decline in your numbers, it indicates a trend shift in your industry. Or maybe it’s the result of an algorithm update. You’ll have to repeat your trial and error process to re-establish your solid footing on the platform.  

How Often Should a Business Post on Instagram?

The most recent reports indicate that businesses post an average of 1.56 times daily. Post feed content 2 to 3 times per week and share the same amount of stories. To stay competitive, you should aim to match this number.

Researching your competition for specialized niches and smaller industries will give you more valuable insights. Visit the pages of your biggest competition and scroll through their posts. Take note of the following:

• How many times do they post per day and per week? 
• What times do they usually post? 
• The times and days when their posts received the highest engagement.

Based on the information, you’ll be able to understand your posting frequency. You can opt to match your competitors’ posting frequency and schedule. This is especially helpful if your follower numbers are not far from theirs. Or post one or two times more than they do if you’re still far behind in terms of follower numbers. Just remember to always consider your optimal times for posting and make sure you are posting consistently.

How Often Should You Post About Your Instagram Contest?

Consistency is key to keeping your audience engaged when running an Instagram contest. Start by announcing the contest with a dedicated post and share the details. After the initial announcement, consider posting updates about the contest several times a week. This could include reminders to enter, updates on the number of entries, or highlights of the prizes. Creating content encouraging participation will help maintain excitement and keep your content visible.

Post regular stories to remind your followers about the contest without overwhelming your main feed. Stories can be an effective way to keep the contest top of mind while creating content that feels fresh and engaging.

As the contest deadline approaches, increase the frequency of your posts to build urgency. Remind followers that time is running out and encourage them to enter before it’s too late. After the contest ends, post a follow-up to announce the winner and thank everyone for participating.

By posting consistently and strategically, you can maximize engagement and ensure your Instagram contest succeeds.

How Often To Post on Instagram if You’re an Artist

Artists can enjoy a bit more flexibility with their posting frequency. Two to three times a week is an excellent place to start with your social media marketing strategy. A posting frequency that is both consistent and manageable is the bigger consideration for artists. Their audience’s online behaviors and their competition’s account practices play a less significant role in an artist’s content schedule strategy. 

You need a consistent posting schedule so as to remain relevant to your audience. However, your posting cadence must also allow you to focus on the more important work — which is your art. Do you have an event coming up or a new piece you want to promote? By nature, you’ll be posting more frequently over the weeks leading up to it. 

It’s okay to take a break from social media so you can devote your time and attention to your work. Or if you need to look after your mental well-being. Before going off the grid, take some time to inform your followers via a post. Don’t forget to log out of your Instagram account to keep it secure while off the platform. If you don’t want to quit Instagram altogether, schedule posts in a regular cadence to minimize your time on social media.

Is It Bad To Post Back to Back on Instagram?

The short answer is that it’s generally better to space out your posts to avoid overwhelming your followers. Posting back-to-back on Instagram can have mixed results, depending on your content and audience. 

When you post too frequently, your content might compete with itself, reducing overall engagement. Followers might miss important updates if they receive too many posts at once. Spacing out your posts gives each one time to gain visibility and engagement before the next one goes live.

Instagram’s algorithm favors content that receives consistent engagement over time. By spreading out your posts, you increase the chances that each one will be seen and interacted with. However, back-to-back posting may be effective if you have time-sensitive content or are running a campaign. Just be sure to monitor your engagement closely to ensure this approach works for your audience.

While it’s not necessarily bad to post back to back on Instagram, it’s often better to space out your posts. This approach maximizes engagement and visibility while keeping your audience engaged without overwhelming them.

How Many Reels Should I Post a Day?

When deciding how many Reels to post a day, consider your content creation strategy and your audience’s engagement patterns. Posting one to two Reels per day is generally a good practice, and timing matters, too. However, the ideal frequency may vary based on your audience and the type of content you create.

Instagram algorithm updates can affect how often you should post, so staying flexible is important. Monitor your performance regularly to see how changes in the algorithm impact your content.

In addition to Reels, consider how often you post Stories and feed posts. Posting one to three Stories daily keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them. For feed posts, aim for one post per day or at least a few times per week.

Don’t forget to experiment with Threads, especially if you want to engage in conversations or share quick updates. Posting a few times per week can keep your content fresh and your audience interested.

Balancing your posting frequency across different formats—Reels, Stories, feed posts, and Threads—ensures a well-rounded approach. It helps you stay visible and maintain engagement without overloading your audience. Remember, quality is just as important as quantity in content creation.

Frequently Asked Questions