Determining the optimal times to post on social media is crucial for maximizing
engagement and reaching your target audience effectively. As social media platforms continue to evolve and user behavior shifts, it's essential to stay informed about the most effective posting times for each platform.
Why Should You Schedule Your Posts Strategically Across Social Media Platforms?
Strategic scheduling of your social media posts can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your content. By sharing your posts when your audience is most active, you increase the likelihood of them being noticed, shared, and interacted with. This is particularly beneficial if your audience spans across different time zones, allowing you to reach them regardless of their location.
Consistently adhering to a posting schedule establishes a reliable rhythm for your audience, fostering a sense of connection and engagement with your brand. Planning your posts in advance also enables you to align your content with upcoming events or promotions, maximizing the effectiveness of your social media efforts.
What’s the Optimal Time to Post on Facebook?
Understanding the ideal timing for posting content on Facebook is crucial for maximizing audience engagement and visibility. Various factors influence the effectiveness of your posts, including the time of day and day of the week.
By strategically scheduling your Facebook content, you can enhance its reach and impact on your target audience.
Best Times to Post on Facebook:
Research suggests that the most effective times to post on Facebook are typically on weekdays, particularly from Monday through Friday. During these days, people are more likely to be active on social media platforms,
creating opportunities for higher engagement with your content.
Morning Hours: Posting between 9 AM and 10 AM during weekdays can be particularly beneficial, as it coincides with the time when many individuals check their social media feeds upon starting their day.
Early Afternoons: Another optimal posting window is between 1 PM and 4 PM, especially during weekdays. This timeframe aligns with common breaks in people's daily routines, such as lunchtime or mid-afternoon breaks, increasing the likelihood of your posts being seen and interacted with.
Here are the best Facebook posting times according to expert social media Apps.
Source | Best Days to Post on Facebook | Best Times to Post on Facebook | Worst Days to Post on Facebook | Worst Times to Post on Facebook |
Buffer | Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays | 9 AM – 10 AM | Saturdays and Sundays | – |
Sprout Social | Mondays through Thursdays | 8 AM – 1 PM | Sundays | 12 AM – 4 AM |
CoSchedule | Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 9 AM, 10 AM, and 7 PM | Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays | 2 AM, 3 AM, and 12 AM |
SocialPilot | Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays | 1 PM – 4 PM (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays); 12 PM – 1 PM (Saturdays and Sundays | – | 8 PM – 8 AM |
HubSpot | Fridays and Saturdays | 12 PM – 3 PM; 6 PM – 9 PM | Sundays | 6 AM – 9 AM; 9 PM – 12 AM |
Worst Times to Post on Facebook
Conversely, the least favorable times to post on Facebook are typically during weekends, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. During these days, social media activity tends to decrease as people prioritize leisure activities and spend less time online.
Late Night and Early Morning Hours: Avoid posting content late at night, typically between 8 PM and 8 AM, as well as during very early mornings. Engagement levels are generally lower during these hours, as individuals are either winding down for the day or asleep, resulting in reduced visibility for your posts.
What’s the Optimal Time to Post on Instagram?
Determining the best times to post on Instagram can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your content. With Instagram's algorithm prioritizing recent and relevant posts, strategic timing plays a crucial role in maximizing your reach and interaction with your audience.
Here’s a breakdown of the optimal posting times based on industry insights:
Best Times to Post on Instagram
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays emerge as the most favorable days for posting on Instagram, with peak engagement observed during specific time windows:
Morning Hours: Posting between 6 AM and 9 AM is ideal for capturing the attention of early risers who check their Instagram feeds during their morning routines.
Midday Period: Aim to share content during the midday hours, typically between 12 PM and 2 PM, when users take breaks for lunch or scroll through social media during downtime.
Evening Hours: Consider posting between 5 PM and 6 PM in the evening, as many users browse Instagram during their commute home or unwind after work.
Expert Insights on Instagram Posting Times Industry experts have identified the following optimal posting times based on social media trends and user behavior:
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) 6 AM – 9 AM 12 PM – 2 PM 5 PM – 6 PM
Here are the best Instagram posting times according to expert social media sources:
Source | Best Days to Post on Instagram | Best Times to Post on Instagram | Worst Days to Post on Instagram | Worst Times to Post on Instagram |
Buffer | Fridays and Mondays | 7 AM – 8 AM | Saturdays and Sundays | – |
Sprout Social | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 9 AM – 1 PM | Sundays | 12 AM – 4 AM |
CoSchedule | Wednesdays, Tuesdays, and Fridays | 9 AM, 7 PM, and 12 PM | Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays | 1 AM, 2 AM, and 4 AM |
SocialPilot | Every day | 6 AM – 9 AM; 12 PM – 2 PM; 5 PM – 6 PM (for weekdays); 9 AM – 2 PM (for weekends) | Saturdays and Sundays | 3 PM – 4 PM |
HubSpot | Saturdays | 6 PM – 9 PM; 12 PM – 3 PM; 3 PM – 6 PM | Mondays | 6 – 9 AM; 9 – 12 AM |
What Are the Worst Days to Post on Instagram?
The worst days to post on Instagram are Saturdays and Sundays. The weekend days consistently show lower engagement, possibly because users are more likely to be out and about, swapping their screens for some real-world adventures, which means your posts might not get the love they deserve.
What’s the Optimal Time to Post on Twitter? (X)
Best Times to Post on Twitter The prime posting times on Twitter typically occur during the weekdays, from Monday to Friday, with peak engagement observed during morning to early afternoon hours, particularly between 9 AM and 3 PM.
Maximizing Twitter Engagement Twitter offers two key tabs that shape users' browsing experiences:
The "For You" Tab: This tab utilizes a sophisticated algorithm to curate tweets, topics, and accounts tailored to each user's preferences and past interactions. By aligning your tweets with the interests of your target audience, you can increase the likelihood of your content appearing in the "For You" tab, attracting new followers and expanding your reach.
The "Following" Tab: Users can access the latest tweets from the accounts they follow in the "Following" tab, allowing them to stay updated on relevant updates and conversations. By posting tweets during peak activity hours, you can ensure that your content stands out in the timelines of your existing followers, fostering ongoing engagement and interactions.
Expert Insights on Twitter Posting Times Industry experts recommend the following optimal posting times for Twitter based on social media trends and user behavior:
Monday to Friday 9 AM – 3 PM
Here are the best X (Twitter) posting times according to expert social media sources:
Source | Best Days to Post on X (Twitter) | Best Times to Post on X (Twitter) | Worst Days to Post on X (Twitter) | Worst Times to Post on X (Twitter) |
Buffer | Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays | 11 AM | Saturdays and Sundays | – |
Sprout Social | Tuesdays through Thursdays | 9 AM to 2 PM | Sundays | – |
CoSchedule | Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays | 9 AM, 10 AM, and 9 PM | Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays | 2 AM, 3 AM, and 5 AM |
SocialPilot | Monday to Friday | 9 AM – 3 PM | Saturdays and Sundays | 8 PM – 9 PM |
HubSpot | Wednesdays and Fridays | 9 AM – 12 PM; 12 PM – 3 PM; 3 PM – 6 PM | – | 6 – 9 AM |
What Are the Worst Days to Post on X (Twitter)?
Saturdays and Sundays are the worst days to post on X (Twitter). The weekend dip is real, as these days typically see lower engagement levels. People are likely to spend less time online and more time on personal activities.
Holding off on your posts until the weekdays can help ensure they get the attention they deserve.
Optimal Posting Times for LinkedIn
Best Times to Post on LinkedIn For maximum engagement on LinkedIn, aim to share your content during the weekdays, specifically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, throughout standard business hours, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Here are the best LinkedIn posting times according to expert social media sources:
Source | Best Days to Post on LinkedIn | Best Times to Post on LinkedIn | Worst Days to Post on LinkedIn | Worst Times to Post on LinkedIn |
Buffer | Thursdays and Fridays | 9 AM – 5 PM | Saturdays and Sundays | – |
Sprout Social | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 10 AM – 12 PM | Saturdays and Sundays | Outside working hours |
CoSchedule | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays | 10 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM | Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays | 4 AM, 10 PM, 11 PM |
SocialPilot | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM; 12 PM; 5 PM – 6 PM | Friday to Monday | 10 PM – 6 AM |
HubSpot | Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays | 9 PM – 12 PM; 12 PM – 3 PM; 3 PM – 6 PM | Sundays and Saturdays | – |
What Are the Worst Days to Post on LinkedIn?
The worst days to post on LinkedIn are weekends, Saturdays and Sundays. Engagement drops significantly during these days as professionals tend to step away from work-related activitie
Optimal Posting Times for Pinterest
Best Times to Post on Pinterest For optimal engagement on Pinterest, prioritize Fridays between 1 PM and 3 PM, aligning with peak activity periods when users are actively exploring and engaging with pins.
Expert Insights on Pinterest Posting Times According to industry insights and social media analytics, the recommended posting times for Pinterest are:
Fridays 1 PM – 3 PM
Here are the best Pinterest posting times according to expert social media sources:
Source | Best Days to Post on Pinterest | Best Times to Post on Pinterest | Worst Days to Post on Pinterest | Worst Times to Post on Pinterest |
Sprout Social | Wednesdays through Fridays | 1 PM – 3 PM | Sundays and Mondays | – |
CoSchedule | Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays | 12 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM | Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays | 1 AM, 4 AM, and 5 AM |
SocialPilot | Fridays and Saturdays | 2 AM – 4 AM; 2 PM – 4 PM | – | During working hours |
HubSpot | Fridays | 3 PM – 6 PM; 6 – 9 PM | Sundays | – |
What Are the Worst Days to Post on Pinterest?
Sundays and Mondays are the worst days to post on Pinterest. These days tend to be a bit quieter on social media. Sundays are for winding down, and Mondays… well, we all know how Mondays can be. People are usually busy getting back into the groove of the week.
What’s the Best Time to Post on TikTok?
The prime times to post on TikTok are Friday and Tuesday afternoons (12 PM to 3 PM) during lunch breaks and evenings (6 PM to 9 PM) as users relax and browse content.
TikTok’s algorithm keeps things fresh by tailoring your For You Page (FYP) with videos it thinks you’ll enjoy, making everyone’s FYP a unique mix of content. It cleverly observes your interactions—likes, comments, and watch time—alongside video details like hashtags and captions to personalize your experience further.
Here are the best TikTok posting times according to expert social media sources:
Source | Best Days to Post on TikTok | Best Times to Post on TikTok | Worst Days to Post on TikTok | Worst Times to Post on TikTok |
Buffer | Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays | 8 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM | Saturdays | – |
Sprout Social | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 2 PM – 6 PM | Sundays | – |
SocialPilot | Fridays | 5 AM; 1 PM – 3 PM | Saturdays | 10 PM – 4 AM |
HubSpot | Fridays | 6 PM – 9 PM; 3 PM – 6 PM; 12 PM – 3 PM | Mondays and Tuesdays | 6 AM – 9 AM |
What Are the Worst Days to Post on TikTok?
The worst days to post on TikTok are Saturdays, Sundays, and the beginning of the week, specifically Mondays for certain audiences. These days might see lower engagement as users could be out living their best life during the weekend or just too swamped with beginning-of-the-week responsibilities.