When is the best time to post on social media?

When it comes to social media, timing is everything. The moment you choose to share your content can significantly impact its reach and engagement.

If you are getting less engagement and fewer conversions than you’d like from your social media posts, it might be as simple as posting at the wrong time for your followers.

With various social media platforms bustling with activity at different times, understanding when your target audience is most active becomes crucial. This insight improves visibility and boosts interaction, ensuring your message resonates with its intended audience.

In this article, you’ll learn the best time to post on social media based on research from Sprout Social and Hootsuite.

By the end, you’ll have a great starting point to find out what posting schedule works for you and your followers to get more likes, comments, and shares.

• Best Time To Post on Social Media – Overall
• Best Times To Post on Facebook
• Best Times To Post on Instagram
• Best Times To Post on LinkedIn
• Best Times To Post on Pinterest
• Best Times To Post on X (formerly Twitter)
• How To Find the Best Time To Post on Social Media
• Use Social Media to Grow Your Email List

Best Time To Post on Social Media – Overall

Best time to post on social media:

• Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon
• Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursdays 9 a.m. to noon
• Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Best day of the week to post on social media: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Worst days to post on social media: Sundays

When determining the best time to post on social media, consider each social platform’s unique characteristics, your goals, content type, target audience, demographic, and location.

Data suggests midweek mornings, mainly Tuesdays to Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon, are generally the best time to post on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn

However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Pinterest and TikTok, for instance, show higher engagement in the afternoons.

Remember, these trends can vary significantly by industry and other variables, so it’s crucial to tailor your strategy and review your social media KPIs for the best results.

Best Times To Post on Facebook

Best time to post on Facebook:

• Mondays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon

Best day of the week to post on Facebook: Mondays through Thursdays

Worst days to post on Facebook: Sundays

Facebook remains a crucial platform for digital marketers, with peak engagement times aligning with general business hours.

The best times to do a Facebook post are from Monday to Thursday, beginning at 8 a.m. and extending to early afternoon around 1 p.m. Avoid posting during the early morning hours, especially from Friday to Monday.

A successful Facebook strategy involves timing, frequency, and type of content posted. Tailoring content specifically for Facebook can significantly impact engagement rates.

Best Times To Post on Instagram

Best times to post on Instagram:

• Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon
• Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Best day of the week to post on Instagram: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Worst days to post on Instagram: Sundays

Instagram, a close second to Facebook in marketer usage, excels in customer service and short-form video content, with Reels being top-rated.

Best posting times for Instagram are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. It’s advisable to avoid early morning hours for posting.

Success on Instagram, with its diverse content options and nearly 2 billion monthly users, hinges on balancing high-quality, engaging content with the unpredictability of the Instagram algorithm. This strategy is vital for effective Instagram marketing.

Best Times To Post on LinkedIn

Best times to post on LinkedIn Company Pages: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon

Best day of the week to post on LinkedIn Company Pages: Tuesdays through Thursdays

Worst days to post on LinkedIn Company Pages: Weekends

LinkedIn, known for its professional focus, sees highest engagement during typical workday hours, especially around midday. Posting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and noon is most effective.

The platform is more than just a job board; it’s a space for professional storytelling and advocacy, attracting over 900 million members globally. Businesses leverage LinkedIn for lead generation, co-marketing, and talent attraction, aligning their engagement strategies with standard business hours.

Best Times To Post on Pinterest

Best times to post on Pinterest:

• Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

Best day of the week to post on Pinterest: Wednesdays through Fridays

Worst days to post on Pinterest: Sundays and Mondays

A visual search engine, Pinterest is optimal for brands focused on products, trends, and designs.

The best times to post are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays around 1 p.m., with an additional peak time at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays. This timing could be influenced by user activity and the platform’s algorithm.

Brands should consider these optimal times when planning their social media content calendars to gain the most engagement on Pinterest.

Best Times To Post on TikTok

Best times to post on TikTok:

• Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m.
• Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Best day of the week to post on TikTok: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Worst days to post on TikTok: Sundays

TikTok, a rapidly growing platform with over 1 billion active users, finds its peak engagement during weekday afternoons, especially Tuesdays to Thursdays.

The best times to post are generally between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on these days. This timing aligns with users seeking entertainment in the afternoon.

Understanding and proactively engaging with TikTok trends is crucial for effective social marketing strategies on this dynamic platform.

Best Times To Post on X (formerly Twitter)

Best times to post on Twitter:

• Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fridays 9 a.m. to noon

Best days to post on Twitter: Tuesdays through Thursdays

Worst days to post on Twitter: Sundays

Twitter, vital for real-time conversations (known as tweets) and news, has seen its highest engagement times shift to late mornings and midday during weekdays. The best time to post on Twitter is starting at 9 a.m. and tapering off around noon, from Tuesday to Friday.

This reflects the social platform’s role in sharing developing news, trends via hashtags and entertainment. Brands also use Twitter for customer service, enhancing trust and customer experience through proactive social listening and engagement.

How To Find the Best Time To Post on Social Media

Here are some general guidelines to help you determine the best time to effective times for your posts:

1. Understand Your Audience:

• Time Zones: Consider the time zones where your audience is located. If you have a global audience, this might mean posting at several different times.
• Demographics: Different demographics are active at different times. For example, professionals might be more active during lunch break or after working hours.

2. Use Analytics Tools:

• Built-in Analytics: Social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer built-in analytics to show when your audience is most active.
• Third-Party Tools: Tools like Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or Buffer provide more detailed insights and can aggregate data across multiple platforms.

3. Analyze Past Performance:

• Look at your most successful posts and note the days and times they were posted. Patterns that indicate when your audience is most engaged might emerge.

4. Experiment with Posting Times:

• Testing: Experiment by posting at different times and days of the week. Keep track of engagement levels (likes, shares, comments).
• Adjust and Refine: Based on your findings, optimize your posting schedule. Remember, the best times can change, so continue to test regularly.

5. Consider Industry Trends:

• Different industries may see higher engagement at different times. For example, the best time to post for a B2B company might differ from that of a retail brand.

6. Leverage Event-Based Posting:

• Align your posts with events or holidays relevant to your target audience. This can increase engagement metrics due to the topical nature of the content.

7. Stay Updated with Platform Algorithms:

• Social media platforms often change their algorithms, which can affect the visibility of your posts. Stay informed about these changes.

8. Quality Over Quantity:

• While timing is important, the quality of your social media content is crucial. Engaging, valuable content will perform well regardless of the posting time.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Regular testing and adjustment are key to finding your best posting times.

Use Social Media to Grow Your Email List

My most important tip, though, is to use social media to grow your email list.

Why? Glad you asked.

On social media, you don’t own your followers. If at any point the social network decides to delete or suspend your account, your audience will be gone.

However, if you’ve converted your followers to your email list, you’ll still have your leads. You own your email list which means no one can delete or suspend it at any time without warning.

The best way to grow your email list is with OptinMonster. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a New Campaign

Start by logging into OptinMonster and clicking Create New Campaign from the Campaign Dashboard.

Then, you’ll choose a campaign type. We’re going to use a Fullscreen campaign to create a landing page feel.

Next, choose a campaign template. We’re going to use Entrance for this tutorial.

Once you click Use Template you’ll name your campaign, choose the website you’ll use the campaign on, and click Start Building.

2. Edit Your Campaign

After you click Start Building, you’ll be taken into the campaign builder. You’ll see the default optin view design of the template you chose.

You can customize everything about your campaign.

To edit, just click on the element you want to edit on the live preview (right side of the builder). This will bring up the editing tools on the left side of the builder.

You can change fonts, colors, sizes, and so much more! If you want more guidance on editing, check out this tutorial to create a simple campaign.

Once you have your campaign edited to your liking, click Save in the upper right corner before moving on to the next step.

3. Set the Display Rules

Now we’ll set up the display rules to show the campaign when users click on the link. To do that, we’ll use MonsterLinks™.

Adding a MonsterLink™ to your campaign is as easy as choosing visitor clicked MonsterLink™ from the conditions dropdown.

Save your campaign.

4. Add Your Email Provider

To collect email addresses, you’re going to need to add an integration. Don’t worry if you haven’t chosen the right email service provider for you; you can still collect email addresses just using OptinMonster.

For this tutorial, we’re going to show you how to connect Constant Contact, our number one recommendation for email service providers.

From the Integrations tab, click + Add New Integration.

Choose Constant Contact from the Email Provider dropdown:

If this is your first time connecting Constant Contact to OptinMonster, you’ll click Register with Constant Contact and login to your Constant Contact account on the screen that pops up.

Once logged into Constant Contact, click Allow to give OptinMonster permission to connect to your Constant Contact account.

Add an account label to easily identify the account (internal use) and click the Connect to Constant Contact button.

Once connected, choose the email list you want to add new subscribers to:

Pro TipConnect Monster Leads to your campaign to create a backup of your leads.

Save your campaign.

5. Publish Your Campaign

Go to the Publish tab and toggle the Status to Live.

Save your campaign.

6. Add MonsterLink™ to Your Social Media Profiles

Now that you’ve created your campaign, you can copy and paste the MonsterLink™ wherever you want!

While you’re still on the Publish tab, scroll down to the Platform section and click on Shareable MonsterLink™. From there, copy the link provided and add it to your social media profiles.

Here’s what happens when someone clicks the link from your profile:

Ridiculously cool, right?

Also read How Social Media Examiner Added 250,000 Email Subscribers Using OptinMonster.

Boost your social media marketing ROI (and build an email list that you own) with OptinMonster. Join OptinMonster today!

Best Time To Post on Social Media – FAQ

1) When is the best time to post on social media?

The best time to post on social media is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during midweek, from Tuesday to Thursday.

2) What is the best time to put a post on Instagram?

The best time to put a post on Instagram is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

3) Do posting times matter on social media?

Yes, posting times do matter on social media. Posting when your audience is most active increases the likelihood of social media engagement, which is crucial for visibility due to the algorithms prioritizing popular posts.

However, it’s also important to consider the quality of content and consistency in posting.

4) What is the best time to post on Facebook for maximum exposure?

The best time to post on Facebook is 8 a.m, Monday to Thursday, extending to early afternoon around 1 p.m.

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• How to Raise Awareness on Social Media: 5 Totally Unique Strategies
• Social Media and SEO: Do Social Shares Really Matter for Ranking?
• How to Use Social Media for Affiliate Marketing
• 11 Social Media Metrics You Need to Nail Your Marketing Goals
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