Best times to post on social media
Know the best time to post on social media and boost your social media presence.
“Best time to post on social media”, if you are familiar with this search term then you must be well aware that posting on prime times on different social media platforms can increase the chances of attracting a lot of engagement. And with the increased use of social media, businesses, as well as content creators, should definitely adapt to this practice.
By posting during the best times you do yourself a favor. The post that you have created with all your creative might gets pushed through the algorithm, resulting in increased likes, comments, and shares. It ultimately also helps in increasing the follower count, every creator’s dream.
The best time to post on various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and TikTok are tactically recognized to accelerate engagement, as is confirmed, based on RecurPost’s analysis, for about 400,000 social profiles. Our data-driven code of conduct is rooted in elaborate research, thus verifying that publishing during these optimal windows greatly enhances visibility and interaction. Here at RecurPost, we anchorage these insights to make sure that our customer’s content goes far and wide. Faith in Recurpost to present your content when your audience most active and engaged in 2024.
Q. Why is it necessary to follow the best time to post on social media?
Social media has become a tool for success and this tool comes with a price, the algorithm. Yes, be it Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, every social media platform has its own algorithm that determines which posts should be shown in the feed and which shouldn’t be. Cracking the social media algorithm is a hard task, but posting at the right time can prove to be an aid.
Here are some solid benefits that will convince you why you should pick the best times to post on social media.
👀 More Eyes on Your Posts
Posting at the best times pushes your content towards the audience when they are online.
👍 More Likes and Comments
More online audience leads to more likes and comments.
🚀 Helps in Follower's Growth
As your post garners more engagement, the algorithm recommends it to other people, resulting in follower’s growth.
💸 Boost Your Post Without Paying
Helps boost your social media profile better without spending a penny.
🔍 Understand Your Audience Better
By timing your post you can understand the likes and dislikes of your followers.
🤝 Build a Strong Connection
Posting at the best times means more people are bound to interact, building a strong community.
Best times to post on social media platforms
Until now you must have gotten an idea of why the best times to post on social media matter. Moving forward, we have identified some general timings for the overall social media scene, which will help you get started.
For instance, if you are planning to post on weekdays, then it is better to post between the early morning hours (7 AM to 9 AM) as people prefer to check their social media first thing in the morning.
Another good time is the lunch break hours (12 PM to 2 PM) when people look for a leisure experience during their break time.
Lastly, 7 PM to 10 PM is your last chance to knock on the social media doors, as people are looking to consume light and entertaining content before they sleep.
Weekends are best avoided because people are in a vacation mood and refrain from using social media excessively.
Apart from the best times, talking about the best days overall, then Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are your safe bet.
Now, if we had to state one common time range and day that is a good time to post for almost all the social media platforms, that would be 11 am – 1 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
However, these general timings and days can vary depending on your social media platform, niche, and location. So, we advise you to move to the next section and analyze what days and times suit your favorite social media channel.
Best time to post on Facebook:
Facebook is like the popular hangout spot where 3.5 billion people share and connect. It’s still the go-to place, even with other new spots around. Getting noticed here is all about sharing your stories at the right time when everyone’s online.
Facebook has various types of content formats such as images, videos, reels, text posts, stories, Facebook lives, groups, and discussions among many others. Videos, however, are most popular in Facebook users, for captures more attention than posts containing images and texts.
That’s when Facebook’s algorithm helps more people see what you’ve posted. Knowing the best times to post on Facebook is your secret pass to being part of the coolest conversations. Understanding more about one’s Facebook demographics can also boost outcome for you.
Best time to post on Facebook: 8 am – 12 pm
Worst time to post on Facebook: 11 pm – 12 am
Best day to post on Facebook: Thursday
Worst day to post on Facebook: Monday
Here is a breakdown that shows you the best time to post on Facebook:
- Monday: 6 AM – 12 PM
- Tuesday: 4 AM – 10 AM
- Wednesday: 8 AM – 2 PM
- Thursday: 8 AM – 2 PM
- Friday: 8 AM – 12 PM and 7 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM and 7 PM – 9 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 2 PM
Apart from the best times, there are some worst times that one shouldn’t follow while posting on Facebook. Here is a table representing worst times to post on Facebook:
Day | Worst Times |
Monday | Early mornings before 6 AM |
Tuesday | 1 PM – 3 PM afternoons |
Wednesday | Midnight after 11 PM |
Thursday | Weekday early afternoons 2 PM – 4 PM |
Friday | Post-evening nights after 10 PM |
Saturday | Friday late nights after 8 PM |
Sunday | All mornings before 10 AM |
Best time to post on Instagram:
Instagram, with over 2.4 billion users, is where everyone shares cool photos and videos. Getting noticed means posting when lots of people are online. The Instagram algorithm helps posts that get quick likes and comments get seen by more people. So, posting at the right time is your secret to standing out.
While there are a lot of content formats on Instagram such as single image posts, carousel posts, reels, stories, live videos, shopping posts and so much more. Among all of these, stories work best on Instagram, for they give so much scope for engagement, activity, and appear on the very top of the feed, which makes it all the more preferred.
Best time to post on Instagram: 5 pm – 7 pm
Worst time to post on Instagram: 6 am – 7 am
Best day to post on Instagram: Friday
Worst day to post on Instagram: Sunday
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on Instagram:
- Monday: 7 AM, 4 PM & 8 PM
- Tuesday: 9 AM, 1 PM & 2 PM
- Wednesday: 9 AM & 11 AM
- Thursday: 11 AM to 1 PM
- Friday: 7 AM, 11 AM, & 2 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM, 9 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM to 1 PM, 6 PM to 9 PM
Like Facebook, Instagram too has some of the worst timings that can affect your engagement very badly. Here is a table representing the worst times to post on Instagram:
Time Frame | Weekdays | Weekends | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Late Night and Early Morning | After 9 PM and before 6 AM | After 10 PM and before 8 AM | Low engagement as most are sleeping or inactive |
Standard Work Hours | 9 AM to 5 PM | N/A | Lower engagement due to work/school activities |
Weekend Afternoons (Saturday) | Not Applicable | Afternoon (Time Varies) | Drop in engagement due to outdoor activities |
Sunday Evenings | Not Applicable | Evening (Time Varies) | Mixed engagement as users prepare for the week |
During Major Events | Varies (During event times) | Varies (During event times) | Engagement drops as attention shifts to events |
Best time to post on TikTok:
With over 1 billion users, TikTok is where short, fun videos can quickly turn into big hits. It’s great for anyone looking to get noticed, from everyday people to businesses.
The trick is TikTok’s algorithm, which loves videos that get lots of likes and shares fast. So, posting when everyone’s watching is key. This way, the algorithm shows your video to more folks, helping you become a star on this lively platform; all glories to the algorithmic feed, creative tools, short-term videos, community engagement and diverse user base!
TikTok, among it’s other amazing features, also has many other content formats like short videos, stitch, TikTok live, stories and duets. But since TikTok is particularly known for it’s short-videos, it is probably the best type of content format that works for TikTok, due to it’s versatile, creative and entertaining nature.
Best time to post on TikTok: 10 am – 12 pm
Worst time to post on TikTok: 1 pm
Best day to post on TikTok: Tuesday
Worst day to post on TikTok: Sunday
Here is a breakdown of the best time globally to post on TikTok:
- Monday: 6 AM, 10 AM & 10 PM
- Tuesday: 2 AM, 4 AM & 9 AM
- Wednesday: 7 AM, 8 AM & 11 PM
- Thursday: 9 AM, 12 PM & 7 PM
- Friday: 5 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM, 7 PM & 8 PM
- Sunday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM
TikTok too has some of the worst timings to post. Here is a table that represents the worst time to post on TikTok:
Days of the week | Worst timings to Post |
|---|---|
Monday | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM |
Wednesday | 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
Thursday | 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Friday | 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM |
Saturday | 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Sunday | 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM |
Best time to post on LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is a giant online hotspot for over 1 billion folks looking to boost their careers. It’s key for making smart connections and discovering job opportunities.
LinkedIn is not just the world’s largest professional network, but also a space for connection, and it’s features are what make it all-the-more accommodating, some of which are text posts, articles, images, graphics, videos, polls, and so much more! However, long-term articles are most preferred and favorite type of content format for the users.
The trick? Post engaging stories or news when everyone’s online, mainly on weekdays. LinkedIn’s algorithm then shows your posts to more people, helping you shine and build great professional relationships.
Best time to post on LinkedIn: 12 pm – 2 pm
Worst time to post on LinkedIn: 10 pm – 5 am
Best day to post on LinkedIn: Thursday
Worst day to work on LinkedIn: Saturday
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on LinkedIn:
- Monday: 11 AM, 12 PM to 2 PM
- Tuesday: 6 AM to 8 AM, 12 PM to 2 PM
- Wednesday: 12 PM to 2 PM
- Thursday: 2 PM
- Friday: 8 AM, 12 PM to 2 PM
- Sunday: 6 PM
The worst time to post on LinkedIn is typically during non-business hours, such as late at night from 10 PM to 5 AM. Posting during weekends, especially on Saturdays, tends to have lower engagement as many professionals are less active on the platform during their leisure time. It’s best to avoid posting during these times if you want to maximize your reach and engagement on LinkedIn.
Best time to post on X (Twitter):
X is like a giant chat room where people talk about all sorts of things, from news to what they love. It’s perfect for sharing your thoughts quickly and connecting with people all over the world. The secret to getting noticed? Post cool stuff when lots of people are online.
X’s algorithm looks for posts that people enjoy and talk about, so the more likes and retweets you get, the more people will see your tweets.
Best time to post on X (Twitter): 5 pm – 6 pm
Worst time to post on X (Twitter): 10 pm onwards
Best day to post on X (Twitter): Wednesday
Worst day to work on X (Twitter): Saturday
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on X (Twitter):
- Monday: 10 AM to 2 PM
- Tuesday: 9 AM to 12 PM, 5 PM to 6 PM
- Wednesday: 9 AM to 12 PM, 5 PM to 6 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM to 2 PM
- Friday: 10 AM to 2 PM
Best time to post on YouTube:
YouTube, with over 2.7 billion users, is the go-to spot for all kinds of videos. It’s perfect for sharing your talents or learning new things. What’s cool about YouTube is it lets anyone become a star. To get noticed, post your full-length videos or shorts when lots of people are watching.
YouTube’s algorithm loves videos that quickly get lots of views and likes, helping your videos reach more people.
Best time to post on YouTube: 12 pm – 3pm
Worst time to post on YouTube: 9 pm onwards
Best day to post on YouTube: Saturday
Worst day to work on YouTube: Monday
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on YouTube:
- Monday: 3 PM to 6 PM
- Tuesday: 3 PM to 6 PM
- Wednesday: 3 PM to 6 PM
- Thursday: 3 PM to 6 PM
- Friday: 3 PM to 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 11 AM
- Sunday: 9 AM to 11 AM
Like other social media channels posting on YouTube at the worst timings can cost your engagement rate, and hence knowing the worst time to post on YouTube is a must. According to our social media experts, the worst time is before 10 AM (Monday to Sunday), while the worst day is Monday, as most people are returning to their 9-5 schedule.
Best time to post on Pinterest:
Pinterest is known for letting people collect and share photos of things they love or want to try, making it super important for creators and businesses to get noticed. To make your pins pop, try posting when people are most likely to be planning and dreaming.
Pinterest’s algorithm looks for pins that people love and save a lot, so posting at the right time can help more people see your ideas.
Best time to post on Pinterest: 8 pm – 11 pm
Worst time to post on Pinterest: 7 am – 8 am
Best day to post on Pinterest: Friday
Worst day to work on Pinterest: Tuesday
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on Pinterest:
- Monday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 11 PM
- Tuesday: 8 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday: 2 PM to 4 PM
- Thursday: 12 PM, 6 PM to 8 PM
- Friday: 12 PM, 6 PM to 8 PM
- Saturday: 2 PM to 4 PM, 8 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM to 11 AM
Best time to post on Google My Business:
Google My Business is like your shop’s online spotlight for millions searching on Google. It’s key for businesses to be seen online. By keeping your info fresh and posting updates or offers when people are most searching, like lunch deals at noon, you stand out. The Google My Business algorithm favors updated and complete profiles, so staying active helps you pop up in searches more.
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on Google My Business:
- Monday: 8 AM to 10 AM, 1 PM to 3 PM
- Tuesday: 7 AM – 9 AM, 2 PM – 4 PM
- Wednesday: 8 AM – 10 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM
- Thursday: 7 AM – 9 AM, 3 PM – 5 PM
- Friday: 8 AM – 10 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 11 AM
- Sunday: 3 PM – 5 PM
Talking about the worst days to post on LinkedIn, then here a table:
Time of Week | Less Optimal Posting Times |
|---|---|
Early Mornings | Before 7 AM |
Late Nights | After 9 PM |
Sunday | Evenings |
Midday Weekends | 12 PM – 2 PM (Saturday & Sunday) |
Major Holidays | Throughout the day |
Best time to pot on Reddit
Lately, Reddit has become a place where everyone goes to ask questions and share advice. So, try posting your stuff when more people are online. This will help your post get seen. Reddit’s algorithm boosts posts that get a bunch of upvotes fast, so timing is key to catching everyone’s eye.
Here is a breakdown of the best time to post on Reddit:
- Monday: 6 AM – 8 AM
- Tuesday: 7 AM – 9 AM
- Wednesday: 8 AM – 10 AM
- Thursday: 7 AM – 9 AM
- Friday: 6 AM – 8 AM
- Saturday: 7 AM – 9 AM
- Sunday: 8 AM – 10 AM
To maximize visibility on Reddit, it’s wise to avoid posting during the worst timings to post on Reddit such as late night and early morning hours (12 AM to 5 AM), when most users are less active. Additionally, standard work or school hours (9 AM to 5 PM) see reduced engagement, making it harder for posts to get noticed. Posting during major holidays also tends to see a dip in user activity, as many people are offline, celebrating with family or friends, making these periods less ideal for gaining traction on the platform.
Note: While posting on social media according to the timings that work best according to their algorithm is ideal, it may also vary according to one’s audience and ardent followers. Which is why, you can take a good scan through your tool’s analytics reports, for it guides you towards what is the best time for you to post that also aligns with the audience’s browsing time, for maximum reach and engagement!
Best practices to conquer social media
👥 Know Your Audience
Study your audience and create posts that cater to their taste.
📅 Consistent Posting
Posting consistently and timely can do wonders for your social media presence.
🚀 Helps in Follower's Growth
As your post garners more engagement, the algorithm recommends it to other people, resulting in follower’s growth.
💬 Engage With Your Followers
Regular interaction with your followers builds a strong, engaged community.
📸 Use Great Images and Videos
High-quality visuals capture attention and can significantly increase engagement.
🔑 Hashtags and Keywords are your friends
Hashtags and keywords are the heart of social media, so use them nicely and wisely.
📊 Learn From Analytics
Analytics is your alibi, so properly utilize it to your advantage and study it for future betterment.
💖 Be Authentic
Authenticity is the key, and the same goes with social media. So, be authentic and do what you love.
🔄 Stay Updated
Stay updated on the latest trends and updates on social media. It will help you in the content-making process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got more questions about best time to post on social media?
You’re not alone! Here are some of the most commonly asked scheduling questions and their answers.
Why don't my posts get more likes and comments, even when I think they're good?
Sometimes, it’s all about timing. Even if your posts are great, posting when your followers are asleep or busy can mean they miss your content. Finding the right time when most of your audience is online can help a lot!
How do I find out when my followers are most active on social media?
Most social media platforms have a tool called “analytics” or “insights.” These tools tell you when your followers are online and interacting with your posts. Check those out to see the best times to post on social media!
What should I do if my audience lives in different time zones?
Try to find a time that works for most of your audience. You can also post at different times on different days to reach everyone at least once. Some social media tools like Recurpost and Buffer let you schedule posts, so you don’t have to do it manually.
Do weekends have different best posting times than weekdays?
Yes, they often do! People usually have more free time on weekends so they might be online at different times than on weekdays. It’s a good idea to check your social media insights to see the difference.
How often should I post on social media?
It depends on the social media platform. For example, once a day is good for Instagram, but Twitter can handle more, like 3-5 tweets a day. The key is to be consistent but not too overwhelming. Find a balance that keeps your followers interested without spamming them.