Best Times to Post on Social Media in 2024: Maximize Your Impact

Time is money…cliché yet true…

You will find a lot of advice regarding social media post timing. However, the answers are more complex. There’s no one best time for all, and the right timing for posting will entirely depend on your audience’s behaviors. 

The purpose of this blog is to help you find out the best time for posting on social media and also give general timings for posting

We hope after reading this blog, you will have clarity on the following things

1. 1. Why timing matters?
   2. How often should a company post on social media?

Let’s get started. 

Why Timing Matters?

Think of your social media feed as a marketplace. If you’re broadcasting your message when everyone is asleep, chances are no one will hear you. But if you post when your audience is active, your content is much more likely to be seen, liked, shared, and commented on.

Engagement is the name of the game! When you post at the right time, you increase the chances of your content reaching more people, which in turn boosts your visibility and credibility. Plus, social media algorithms favor posts with higher engagement, meaning your well-timed posts could show up in even more feeds!

So this forms an endless loop. So yes, social media posting times matter much more than you think. 

Now, each social media platform has its own posting time. You won’t get the same engagement on Facebook at 7pm that you get on Instagram. As both audiences have a distinct user base. 

Best Time For Posting On Social Media Platform

Below, we have given the appropriate times for posting on various social media platforms.

1. Facebook

• Wednesday and Thursday: Between 11 AM and 2 PM

Facebook users tend to check their feeds during the day, especially around lunch breaks, when they have a moment to catch up on news, updates, and social interactions. Midweek (Wednesday and Thursday) is optimal because users are typically over the Monday blues and haven’t yet shifted focus to weekend plans. During this window, they’re more likely to engage with content. The worst days to post are the weekends—engagement tends to dip as people are out and about or distracted by weekend activities. Aim for those midweek lunch hours to get the most eyes on your posts.

2. Instagram

• Monday to Friday at 11 AM and 2 PM, with a notable spike in engagement on Wednesdays.

Instagram is all about quick, visual consumption, so users are often scrolling during breaks or commutes. Posts made around lunchtime or just after people wake up can capture their attention when they’re most likely to browse through their feed. Midweek (especially Wednesdays) sees a spike in engagement as people are looking for a quick distraction to break up their workweek. Posting around lunch (11 AM to 2 PM) aligns perfectly with when Instagram users tend to scroll the most, keeping your content front and center during peak hours.

3. X (formerly known as Twitter)

• Wednesday at 12 PM and between 5 PM and 6 PM on weekdays.

X is built for real-time updates and conversations, so best times to post on X is during busy moments in your audience’s day is crucial. Lunchtime (12 PM) sees a significant uptick in Twitter activity, as people take a break and catch up on news or engage in trending topics. Similarly, just before the workday ends (5 PM to 6 PM) is a key window when users are checking in to see what’s happening as they wind down their workday. Wednesday is often the peak day for engagement, as users are typically most active after the initial drag of the week.

4. LinkedIn

• Tuesday to Thursday between 8 AM and 2 PM.

Since LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, it’s essential to align your posts with the traditional workday. Users are most active during business hours, with engagement peaking in the morning when people are starting their workday and at lunchtime when they check their feed during breaks. Posting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays works best since Mondays can be hectic and people are often too focused on getting back to work, while on Fridays, people begin to tune out in anticipation of the weekend.

5. TikTok

• Tuesday through Thursday at 9 AM and 12 PM, and 7 PM on Friday.

TikTok has a young, energetic audience that engages most during the evening hours, when they’re winding down after school or work. Evening posts, particularly around 7 PM on Fridays, align with when users are most likely to scroll through short, entertaining videos to start their weekend. Mid-morning posts (around 9 AM) also perform well because they catch early risers before they dive into their day. Midweek engagement is particularly strong, as TikTok users love a quick escape during the workweek.

6. YouTube

• Thursday and Friday: Between 12 PM and 3 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: Early afternoon, between 9 AM and 11 AM

Unlike many social media platforms, YouTube thrives on long-form content, so viewers often engage when they have time to watch videos in their entirety. Weekdays, particularly Thursday and Friday, are great for posting during midday (12 PM to 3 PM) as people start winding down after work or school and seek out videos for a break. 

On weekends, users have more free time, so posting in the morning (9 AM to 11 AM) gives your content a head start before people begin their weekend activities. Keep in mind that YouTube’s algorithm needs some time to index and rank your videos, so uploading a few hours before your ideal audience is most active can give your video the best chance to gain traction.

7. Pinterest

• Saturday: mornings and evenings between 8 PM and 11 PM.

Pinterest is primarily a visual discovery platform where users go to find inspiration for everything from home décor to travel to meal planning. Because it’s used mostly for planning and visual exploration, activity peaks during downtime. Users are more likely to browse Pinterest on Saturday mornings while planning their weekend projects or on Saturday evenings when they have time to relax and browse for new ideas. Evening posts, especially between 8 PM and 11 PM, also see strong engagement as users pin content they want to revisit later.

8. Reddit

Best Times: Midday (12 PM to 1 PM) on weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday.
Reddit has a diverse user base that engages heavily with content based on real-time events, discussions, and community-driven posts. The ideal time to post is around lunch hours (12 PM to 1 PM) when users are taking a break from work or school and scrolling through their favorite subreddits. Engagement tends to be higher on weekdays, particularly from Tuesday to Thursday, when people are in the flow of the workweek and have time to participate in discussions. To make your post stand out, try to target moments when your post is most relevant or timely to ongoing discussions in specific subreddits.

How Often Should I Post On Social Media?

Now that we have cleared the best timings to post on social media, let’s talk a little about post frequencies. It’s always better to spread your post throughout the week instead of posting them all in one day and then nothing for a week. Below, we have given optimal social media posting frequency per platform. 

The optimal social media posting frequency varies by platform:

• Facebook: Post 3–5 times per week to maintain consistent engagement without overwhelming followers.
• Instagram: To answer how often to post on Instagram, it’s best to post daily or 3–5 times a week, depending on your content strategy, especially if you’re active with Instagram Stories.
• Twitter: Given the fast-paced nature of Twitter, it’s best to post 3–5 times a day to keep your feed active and visible.
• LinkedIn: Since the audience here is professional, 2–3 posts a week are sufficient to keep your profile active.
• YouTube: 1–3 videos a week is recommended for building a strong channel and consistent viewership.
• Pinterest: 5–10 posts per day is ideal, especially if you’re running a business or marketing campaign on the platform.

Wrapping Up

At last, choosing the appropriate and best time for posting on social media can make a world of difference in how your content performs. Whether you’re looking to increase engagement, boost visibility, or build credibility, understanding when your audience is most active can significantly improve your results. Every social media platform has its own unique peak times based on user behavior, and your success will depend on identifying the best times for your specific audience.

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