How to check Instagram analytics

Analytics (Insights) on Instagram helps you understand who watches, when your audience is active and which content works. Access is available on professional accounts. Here's how to check and use the data.

When it's useful

• You want to know when to post – Hours and days when followers are active.
• You want to understand what content works – Reach, saves, comments on Reels and posts.
• Planning growth – Audience age, location and interests help tailor content.

How to check analytics – step by step

1. Make sure your account is professional – Insights are only for Business or Creator accounts. If not – Settings > Switch to professional account. How to create a business profile.

2. Open Insights – From your profile: tap Menu (three lines) > Insights. Or under a post/Reel: "View insights."

3. Overview – Summary: reach, interactions, new followers. Scroll to Audience – when followers are active (hours and days). Use this for timing. How often to post.

4. Insights for a post or Reel – Open a published post or Reel. Below you'll see: reach, likes, comments, saves, shares. For Reels – also views. Compare posts and Reels to see what works.

5. Story insights – After 24 hours the Story disappears, but insights stay: views, exits, replies. Access via "Activity" or under the Story before it's removed.

Common mistakes

• Not checking audience – Active hours matter for timing. Posting when the audience isn't there reduces response.
• Ignoring saves – Saves signal quality to the algorithm. Reels with many saves get a boost.
• Looking for Insights on a personal account – You need a professional profile. If you don't have one – convert.

Summary

Check analytics on a professional profile: Menu > Insights. See reach, interactions, when the audience is active and data per post/Reel. Use the data for timing and content improvement.

Next steps

• How to create a business profile on Instagram – enable Insights
• How to get more followers – growth
• How the Instagram algorithm works – how reach works