The lifespan of a post refers to the time in which you can expect a social media post to get engagement before it goes flat. Engagement includes likes, comments, saves, and views on Instagram. The amount of time your post is likely to last, or continuing getting engagement, differs in regards to Instagram stories, reels, and posts (and then even more so on different platforms).
On Instagram, a general feed post has an average lifespan of 48 hours. This means that during the first 48 hours after posting, your content will get most of its likes, comments, saves, or shares. After those 48 hours have passed, the post on Instagram feed is less likely to get more engagement.
The 48 hour lifespan is not an exact prediction, it is an estimate. There are certainly outliers where posts on Instagram could land on the explore page and get lots of engagement after the 48 hour period has passed.
The Instagram algorithm has been prioritizing reels for a few months now, so their lifespan is a bit longer. Instagram reels have an average engagement period of 14 days. Depending on the popularity of the audio and how captivating the video is, 2 weeks could pass and your reel still has the chance of going viral.
Video content on Instagram is becoming increasingly popular, with short-form videos predicted to be the most engaging content in 2023. It is essential to incorporate reels into your social media strategy and keep in mind their longer life span before becoming frustrated with performance.
Lastly, the easiest lifespan to estimate is for Instagram stories, which expire after 24 hours. Stories can be engaged with or reacted to during that time frame, but after a day, stories disappear. If you need to post important content on Instagram stories though, they can be saved as “highlights” and viewed later on your profile.
Feeling overwhelmed about posting on Instagram? That’s where Corkboard comes into play! We are here to help you build your business through social media and save you from stressing over confusing algorithms, insights, and more. Contact us today if you are interested in working with us!