Posting Instagram photos at this time will get you the most likes

Timing is everything when it comes to social media success

Research has uncovered the best time to post a photo in order to get the most engagement (Getty Images)

Mastering the ultimate Instagram post takes a lot of work. You’ve got to perfect the lighting, nail the angle and have a mammoth list of hashtags ready to go at any moment.

But sometimes, even the best-planned post can be scuppered by a simple case of bad timing.

Luckily, Hopper HQ – an Instagram scheduling site – has uncovered the best time to post a photo in order to get the most engagement.

By analysing data from the 1.2 million posts scheduled through the site, Hopper HQ found that the best time to post on Instagram is between 6pm and 7:30pm in the week, and at 11am on the weekend.

And, the reason’s pretty simple. During these periods is when the most people are actively using the app and thus more people are likely to see your photo on their timeline and engage with it.

But, the research didn’t stop there. Extending far beyond timing, the data revealed that certain filters can also affect the popularity of your post.

It found that Gingham is not only the most popular filter, but it also attracts the most likes and comments with Clarendon coming in a close second.

Similarly, what you’re taking pictures of matters too. According to Hopper HQ, images that are based on personal experience like weight loss or travel, receive on average 22 per cent more likes than other images on the same account.

Alternatively, pictures of animals are the second most engaging with scenery images like sunsets and beaches coming in third.