Best Times to Post on Social Media in 2024
Time is everything, and this is especially true in the world of social media. If you're a social media marketer or trying to get the hang of it, you should understand that posting new content isn't enough for success. Timing plays a crucial role too. The difference between a post that fades away and one that spreads far and wide could simply be when it was posted.
If you want to know the best times to post on social media, keep reading. We've got the answers for you.
Why Do the Best Times to Post on Social Media Matter?
In the social media world, algorithms decide the fate of content. A common rule across social platforms is "recency."
What's recency? It's a simple concept that determines how high your post appears in users' feeds. Content that's just been posted is more likely to be seen than content from a few days or a week ago.
So, if you post when lots of users are active, your content is much more likely to show up in their feeds. Picking the right time to post can not only get more eyes on your posts but also boost how much users interact with them.
But this doesn't mean that just picking the right time will automatically lead to high engagement. While timing can drive traffic to your content, holding users' attention depends on the quality of the content itself. Only high-quality content can truly encourage users to stick around and engage.
Overall Best Times to Post on Social Media
In general, the best time to post on social media during the week is at 9 AM on Wednesday.
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 11 AM to noon
Tuesday: 10 AM to 2 PM, and 3 PM to 4 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 2 PM
Friday: 10 AM to 11 AM
The least suitable day to post on social media during the week is Sunday.
Overall, it seems that more people enjoy scrolling through posts in the morning and at the start of the week.
However, you can't use one golden posting time for all your social media accounts because each platform has different user groups, popular content types, and times when users are most likely to engage. So, you'll need to understand the best posting times for each platform.
Best Times to Post on Facebook
Facebook, being one of the most widely used social media platforms globally, has surpassed 3 billion monthly active users according to the latest data. This vast user base offers a significant opportunity for businesses to grow their brands from the ground up to industry leaders.
Choosing the right time to post content on Facebook can help attract your target audience.
Here are the best times to post on Facebook according to different studies:
Buffer believes that 10 AM on Friday is the best time to post during the week.
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 10 AM
Tuesday: 9 AM
Wednesday: 9 AM
Thursday: 10 AM
Friday: 10 AM
Saturday: 9 AM
Sunday: 9 AM
Hootsuite suggests that 8 AM on Tuesday and Thursday are the best times to post.
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 8 AM
Tuesday: 7 AM
Wednesday: 7 AM
Thursday: 8 AM
Friday: 7 AM
Saturday: 10 AM
Sunday: 11 AM
Sprout Social considers 9 AM to 2 PM from Monday to Thursday as the best times to post throughout the week.
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 9 AM to noon
Tuesday: 9 AM to 2 PM, and 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 3 PM, and 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM to 2 PM, and 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 11 AM
Saturday: 8 AM to 11 AM
Sunday: 9 AM to 11 AM
Summary:
The morning hours during weekdays see higher user engagement, with 9 AM being the optimum time. This could be because people tend to browse Facebook during their commute as a way to start their day.
In contrast, weekend evenings are considered the least suitable times to post on Facebook.
Best Times to Post on Instagram
Facebook is the most used platform by marketers worldwide, with Instagram ranking second with an 80% usage rate.
Instagram boasts 2 billion active users monthly, with 90% following at least one business account. It has become a powerful platform for driving e-commerce, enhancing brand awareness, and building communities.
As a trailblazer in social media, Instagram evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a platform that embraces a variety of creative content types like photos, videos, Reels, and live streams, continually introducing new formats and features to enhance user experience.
Here are the best times to post on Instagram according to different studies:
Buffer: 7 AM to 8 AM on weekends
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 7 AM
Tuesday: 7 AM
Wednesday: 7 AM
Thursday: 7 AM
Friday: 4 PM
Saturday: 7 AM
Sunday: 7 PM
Hootsuite: 11 AM on Wednesday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 11 AM
Tuesday: 8 AM
Wednesday: 11 AM
Thursday: 11 AM
Friday: 2 PM
Saturday: 8 AM
Sunday: 6 PM
Sprout Social: 9 AM to 1 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 11 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM to 4 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 4 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 1 PM, and 2 PM
Friday: 11 AM
Saturday: 9 AM to noon
Sunday: 10 AM to noon
Summary:
Instagram's algorithm is similar to Facebook's, as they are both part of the Meta group. Many users are active on both platforms simultaneously, so the best times to post on Instagram are quite similar to those on Facebook.
Like Facebook, Instagram users are particularly active in the morning, especially between 9 AM and 10 AM.
It's recommended to avoid posting on Instagram from 3 PM to 4 PM every day of the week.
On Fridays, engagement is relatively high both in the morning and afternoon, indicating that people frequently use Instagram throughout the day to gear up for the weekend.
For business accounts, posting content in the morning is usually a good choice. However, for personal accounts, many prefer to post in the evening, especially between 8 PM and 9 PM.
Additionally, certain industries might find nighttime posting more engaging. For example, people browsing Instagram in the evening tend to look for real estate, shopping, or video content. Therefore, accounts in the real estate, retail, and entertainment industries might see better engagement by posting in the evening.
Best Times to Post on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional and business-oriented social networking platform predominantly used by professionals to network, share insights, seek job opportunities, and recruit employees.
Covering over 200 countries and regions, LinkedIn has a member base of over 700 million users, playing a crucial role in exploring a wide range of business opportunities.
Here are the best times to post on LinkedIn according to different studies:
Buffer: 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 4 PM
Tuesday: 4 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM
Thursday: 4 PM
Friday: 1 PM
Saturday: 10 PM
Sunday: 7 AM, noon, and 5 PM
Hootsuite: 9 AM on Tuesday and Wednesday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 11 AM
Tuesday: 6 AM to 8 AM
Wednesday: 9 AM
Thursday: 2 PM
Friday: 8 PM
Saturday: 4 AM to 5 AM
Sunday: 6 AM
Sprout Social: 10 AM to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10 AM on Thursday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM to noon
Wednesday: 10 AM to noon
Thursday: 10 AM
Friday: 8 AM to 3 PM
Saturday: 6 AM to 4 PM
Sunday: 8 AM to 2 PM
Summary:
LinkedIn is where professionals connect and is most frequented during typical working hours, hence higher engagement within office times.
On LinkedIn, it is considered best to post a variety of content types throughout the day. It's generally advised to share text-based content in the morning and videos in the afternoon. This is because people are more inclined to watch videos and read longer content in the evening, while mornings are when they look for digestible information.
It's best to avoid posting on weekends since professionals tend to reduce their social media use during this time in favor of more offline social activities.
Best Times to Post on Pinterest
Pinterest is widely recognized as a platform focused on visual discovery, where users can find creativity, suggestions, and inspiration across a multitude of interests and topics.
It also presents opportunities to expand community reach and brand recognition.
Here are the best times to post on Pinterest according to different studies:
Hootsuite: 12 PM on Tuesday and Friday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 10 AM
Tuesday: 12 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM
Thursday: 6 PM
Friday: 12 PM
Saturday: 1 PM
Sunday: 4 PM
Social Pilot: 2 PM to 4 PM and 8 PM to 9 PM on Monday and Tuesday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM
Tuesday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM
Thursday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM
Friday: 2 PM to 6 PM
Saturday: 11 AM, 4 PM to 7 PM, 11 PM
Sunday: 12 PM, 4 PM, 8 PM to 10 PM
Sprout Social: 1 AM from Tuesday to Friday, and 3 AM on Thursday
Summary:
Pinterest operates distinctly from other social media platforms; it's not driven by an algorithm that promotes endless scrolling. Users might plan a wedding or design a backyard renovation rather than endlessly scroll through videos.
Therefore, the timing and strategy for posting on Pinterest are different compared to other platforms. Your audience is less likely to start browsing Pinterest the moment they wake up; they prefer to use Pinterest in the evenings after work to plan their next project or hobby.
Additionally, it's important to focus on Pinterest's search engine optimization rather than just the timing of posts.
Best Times to Post on TikTok
As the youngest platform discussed here, TikTok's growth has been remarkable, achieving milestones in half the time compared to other established platforms. Currently, the app boasts over 1.5 billion monthly active users globally, with users spending an average of 23 hours per month on TikTok, indicating its strong competitive edge among various social platforms.
For businesses targeting Generation Z as their primary customer base, TikTok's influence cannot be overlooked in social media marketing strategies.
However, capturing attention and converting traffic into business outcomes on TikTok remains a challenge. Like all social media platforms, the level of user engagement on TikTok greatly depends on choosing the right times to post.
Here are the best times to post on TikTok according to different studies:
Buffer: 2 PM on Monday, 4 PM on Wednesday, and 8 AM on Saturday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 2 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM
Wednesday: 4 PM
Thursday: 4 PM
Friday: 10 AM
Saturday: 8 AM
Sunday: 10 AM
Hootsuite: 7 PM on Thursday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 10 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM
Wednesday: 7 AM
Thursday: 7 PM
Friday: 4 PM
Saturday: 11 AM
Sunday: 4 PM
Sprout Social: 4 PM to 6 PM on Tuesday and Friday, 9 AM to 11 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, 2 PM to 6 PM on Thursday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 3 PM to 6 PM
Tuesday: 4 PM to 6 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Friday: 4 PM to 6 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to noon
Sunday: 8 AM to 6 PM
Summary:
TikTok users have different peak times throughout the week, indicating diverse browsing habits with active engagement at various times of the day.
However, there is a noticeable trend of increased user engagement in the mornings (around 6 AM and 7 AM) as well as at night (around 10 PM and 11 PM).
As expected, TikTok users typically spend the longest time on the app during their free time, often in the evenings. Therefore, if your industry performs well on other channels during early morning hours (such as finance or politics), you might consider adjusting your TikTok posting times to later in the day.
Best Times to Post on X (Twitter)
Twitter, now referred to as X, has always been a platform for instant updates and breaking news, where users share news, personal thoughts, daily happenings, images, links, and other content.
X (Twitter) is widely used for social media marketing, allowing brands to engage with customers and build their reputation.
Here are the best times to post on X (Twitter) according to different studies:
Buffer: 11 AM on Monday and Friday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 12 PM
Tuesday: 11 AM
Wednesday: 2 PM
Thursday: 12 PM
Friday: 11 AM
Saturday: 10 PM
Sunday: 7 PM
Hootsuite: 7 AM on Monday and 10 AM on Wednesday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 7 AM
Tuesday: 7 AM
Wednesday: 10 AM
Thursday: 11 AM
Friday: 9 AM
Saturday: 9 AM
Sunday: 9 AM
Sprout Social: 9 AM to 3 PM from Tuesday to Thursday
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 10 AM to 12 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Friday: 10 AM to 12 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 1 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 4 PM
Summary:
During the weekdays, the hours between 6 AM and 10 AM see high levels of activity on X (Twitter), likely because many users prefer to catch up with the latest news and trending topics at the start of their day.
Weekends are generally not the ideal time for posting content, so strategizing your posts for weekdays is wise. However, you could experiment with posting between 8 AM and 11 AM on Sundays.
It's worth mentioning that X (Twitter) might be the most suitable of all social media platforms for sharing content at midnight or in the early hours of the morning.
Best Times to Post on YouTube
YouTube, with over 2.6 billion active users, is the world's second most-used social media platform, making it a hub for video marketing.
This video-centric platform is ideal for marketers who wish to showcase product features, demonstrate how a product works, or convey their brand's story.
Here are the best times to post on YouTube according to different studies:
Buffer: 3 PM to 4 PM on Fridays
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 5 PM
Tuesday: 2 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM
Thursday: 6 PM
Friday: 3 PM
Saturday: 4 PM
Sunday: 11 AM
Social Pilot: 2 PM to 4 PM on weekdays
The best times to post each day are:
Monday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Tuesday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Thursday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Friday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 11 AM
Sunday: 9 AM to 11 AM
Summary:
Statistics indicate that YouTube videos are indexed hours after being published, and data suggests that evenings on weekdays are peak times for video viewership. Therefore, posting videos from 2 PM to 4 PM on weekdays allows users to watch them after work in the evening.
During weekends, the peak times for watching are around noon.
Unlike other social platforms, YouTube requires time to process and index video content before it appears in search results or is recommended on the homepage. Thus, it is recommended to upload videos 2 to 3 hours before the target audience's prime viewing time, ensuring the video is visible to users when they are most likely to watch.
How to Find Your Best Times to Post on Social Media?
Determining the best times to post on social media isn't as simple as picking a random moment and hoping for the best. Several factors that influence audience online behavior need to be considered.
Your Audience
Your audience should not be viewed merely as a set of data; they are real people with their own personalities and habits. Understanding them is the first step to mastering the best times to post on social media.
Analyze your audience's characteristics, such as age, gender, location, interests, and their social media habits. Are they night owls or early birds? Is their work schedule 9-to-5, or do they have flexible hours? Knowing these details will help you deduce when they are most active online.
Further, take advantage of the analytics tools offered by social media platforms to delve deeper and find times when your audience is most engaged. They might be more active during workday lunch hours or after dinner. With this analysis, you can schedule posts accurately to catch their attention when they are most receptive to information.
Your Industry
Different industries have their own patterns of activity on social media. What works for the fashion industry might not necessarily work for a tech company.
Spend some time thinking about the characteristics of your industry and how your potential customers typically interact with businesses in your field. For example, those in the fitness industry might notice their followers are more active during morning or late afternoon workout times.
If you're in the entertainment business, then evenings or weekends when people are looking for relaxation and fun might be the best times for you to post.
Observe Competitors
Don't overlook what your competitors are doing. While you don't need to mimic their methods, observing their posting times can help you better understand when your target audience is most active.
Study the posts of your competitors that perform well and even conduct a comprehensive social media competitive analysis to discover potential patterns or try to reverse-engineer their strategies.
Platform Algorithms
Social media platforms continually optimize their algorithms to create a better browsing experience for users. While the specifics of these algorithms are often not public, one thing is certain: timing is crucial! Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter tend to reward content that quickly attracts engagement after being posted. This means that precise timing is essential for maximizing the visibility of your posts.
While some posts may generate immediate effects, others may continue to draw user engagement over time. Experiment with different posting times and record the outcomes to find times that best suit your target audience and content strategy.
Current Trends
Social media is influenced by current events, holidays, and popular trends. Keeping up with what's happening globally can help you seize opportunities to connect with your audience.
Is there a major industry event coming up? Is a significant national holiday around the corner? Or what topics are trending online? Incorporating these into your content publishing plan can make your content more relevant and help increase user engagement.
However, when posting, be mindful of the context and tone of your content, as what's appropriate for one event might not be for another. Stay sensitive to current affairs and be ready to adjust your strategy to accommodate different situations.
Time Zones
Understanding the time zones of your audience is crucial to ensuring your content appears when they're most likely to be online. If you have a global fan base, consider the time differences across regions.
To cater to everyone, you'll need to find a balance that maximizes your content's exposure across multiple time zones, which may require you to post at different times throughout the day.
For brands with a large following in a specific region, creating separate accounts dedicated to those audiences could also be a good approach.
Conclusion
Successful content publishing on social media relies not only on content quality but also on the timing of its release. Each social media platform has its unique optimal posting times, which require continuous testing, analysis, and refinement to fine-tune.
As businesses grow on social media, they might find themselves maintaining multiple accounts on a single platform. This approach can better target different audience segments with more personalized content but also introduces the risk of account association. Such links between accounts could lead to platforms flagging or restricting them, affecting marketing outcomes.
In such cases, using an antidetect browser can significantly reduce the risks associated with managing multiple accounts. These browsers can generate unique browser fingerprints for each social media account, thereby avoiding direct associations between accounts. In addition, it is necessary to use tools like BrowserScan to inspect the browser's fingerprint information, ensuring that the real fingerprint is perfectly concealed.