How often should I post on Instagram?

The Instagram algorithm has changed a lot over the past few years and so have the rules about how often you should post to Instagram. So, you might be asking, “how often should I post on Instagram in 2020?” The answer might surprise you.

 

How often should I post on Instagram?

Two questions that I get asked all the time:

1. How can I get more Instagram followers? And
2. How often should I post on Instagram?

It used to be that you had to post on Instagram three times a day if you wanted any hope of your posts being seen, but is this still the case?

 

 

Have the Instagram algorithm changes affected how often should you post on Instagram? 

Let’s start with a quick recap of the algorithm changes that happened a while ago. It used to be that your Instagram feed displayed in reverse chronological order – so your feed showed the newest posts at the top and the oldest at the bottom.

The old Instagram feed showed posts from everyone you were following, which made it quite cluttered. So, naturally, it was a competition to get your Instagram posts seen, and you had to post at the most popular times so that more people would see your posts.

But, your posts would get old and sink down your followers' feeds pretty quickly. They had a much shorter lifespan than they do now. 

When Instagram changed the algorithm, it also changed the way your Instagram feed works. Instead of being in reverse chronological order, you now see posts that Instagram thinks will be most interesting and relevant to you, based on your interactions with the platform.

For example, if you interact with a particular account a lot, you’ll see more of their posts in your Instagram feed. If you never interact with a particular account, it's unlikely you'll see their posts in your feed.

Should I post on Instagram 3 times a day?

I hate to break it to you, but posting on Instagram multiple times a day won't necessarily give you any advantage over posting once per day. But, this is a good thing, because it means you can focus more of your time on creating high-quality content, rather than creating a large quantity of content.

Your posts have a much longer shelf-life than previously – people might still be seeing a particular post a week after you’ve posted it. So, posting more often isn't necessary to be shown in your followers' feeds anymore. 

Ok, so how often should you post on Instagram in 2020? 

I wish I could give you an exact answer, but there’s no hard and fast rule for how often you should post on Instagram. Sorry.

If you can post high-quality, engaging Instagram content three times a day, without burning out and giving up altogether, then do so. But, if you’re trying to post 3 times a day and you’re really struggling to come up with quality Instagram content, then don’t push it.

The algorithm prioritises quality content, so it's no longer about the quantity of content. There is SO much content out there, so the easiest way to cut through the clutter is to simply post content that’s better than everyone else's.

If you follow my business Instagram account @stephtaylor.co, you’ll see I’ve only been posting 3 times a week lately. But, when I do post, I post with big long captions and get quite a lot of engagement. I simply don’t have the time to create enough high-quality content for every single day of the week, and I know that if I tried to, the quality would suffer. So I don’t.

Instead, I share a lot of content on Instagram Stories. Things that wouldn’t fit the aesthetic of my Instagram feed. 

Is it okay to only post on Instagram when I feel like it?

Don’t use this article as permission to only post sporadically, when you feel like it. Try to consistently show up for your audience on Instagram – even if it’s just twice a week. But, fill in the gaps with Instagram Stories posts, so that your followers don’t think you’ve just disappeared off the face of the earth.

Next article: How to get more Instagram followers in 2020.

Not sure what to post on Instagram? Shop my Canva Instagram Puzzle Feed Template.

Pin this – How often should I post on Instagram?