If you’re using social media to promote your business or personal brand, that’s great! But here’s the thing: when you post can be just as essential as the content itself. Timing your posts correctly can increase the number of people who check out and interact with what you share.
The best times to post usually line up with the period your prospects are most likely scrolling through their feeds. This could be during their morning rides to work, lunch breaks, or in the early evening. On the other hand, posting way too late at night or early on Monday mornings might leave your content lurking in the shadows.
In this article, we’ll explore the best and worst times to post on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
When Is the Most Effective Time to Boost Content on Social Media?
Before we discover the specific platforms, let’s talk about why timing is important. Social media algorithms usually favor the newest content, so if you post when your audience is most active, your publications are more likely to be seen and get some engagement. But keep in mind that these are just general tips. Your audience might have their own habits, so it’s smart to check your own data and tweak your strategy as needed.
Well, let’s find out when is the safest time to post on social media. This data is brought to you by Sprout Social, a well-known platform for social media management and analytics. They’ve analyzed data from numeroususers to give you these tips. Remember that all the times we’ll discuss are in Central Time (CST).
Prime Facebook Posting Time
Facebook is a leading platform, with billions of users spending time there. Here’s the best time for posting on Facebook:
- Monday to Friday at 3 a.m.
- Tuesday at 10 a.m. and noon
- Best days: Tuesday to Friday
- Worst day to post on social media: Saturday
Posting early in the morning (3 a.m.) might sound strange, but it can work well for reaching leads in different time zones or those who wake up early. Plus, there’s less noise since not many people are posting at that hour. The midday posts on Tuesdays fit nicely with many people’s lunch breaks, which is a popular time for scrolling through social media.
Facebook’s algorithm tends to prioritize content from friends and family, so businesses have to be smart about their posting times. And don’t forget that Facebook has multiple content formats, like text posts, images, videos, and live streams. Try combining them during these peak times to find out what clicks best with your audience.
The Best Time to Post on Instagram
Instagram is a visual social network, so it’s a great spot for brands and influencers. Here’s the best time to post on Instagram:
- Mondays at 11 a.m.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Thursdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Best days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Worst day: Sundays
Have you noticed that the best times are usually late morning to early afternoon? Again, that’s when a lot of people are taking quick breaks from work or school to scroll their phones. Plus, Instagram’s users tend to be younger and more active during the day compared to some other platforms.
The platform also takes into account how interested users are in your content and your relationship with them when deciding what shows up in their feed. And don’t neglect Instagram Stories and Reels! These features have their own feeds and are awesome for keeping your audience engaged all day long.
Also: This Instagram Trick Will Generate Sales
The Best & Worst Times to Post on Twitter
Twitter moves fast, with nunerous tweets appearing each day. If you want to get noticed, post at these times:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays around 9 a.m.
- Best days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Worst day: Sundays
People often turn to Twitter for news, so posting in the morning can catch those looking for updates when they start their day. Twitter’s timeline is normally in chronological order, although there are some algorithm adjustments. This means it’s critical to time your tweets right if you want them to be seen. Also, tweets don’t stick around as long as posts on other platforms, so you should keep posting regularly.
Plus, when posting on a social media platform, think about using Twitter’s features, like polls and threads, to boost engagement. These tools can help your content encourage people to interact, which can amp up your visibility on the platform.
Best Time to Post on Linkedin
LinkedIn is about professional networking and the best times to post to fit the business week. Here are the best times to post on Linkedin:
- Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon
- Best days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Worst days: Saturdays and Sundays
It makes sense that weekends aren’t great for LinkedIn engagement since a lot of professionals take a break from work tasks during their time off. The best times during the week, especially around midday, are when people often pause to check out industry news or do some networking.
LinkedIn’s algorithm likes posts that spark conversations. If you post during these prime times, you’re more likely to get your content seen and interacted with, which can help it reach even more people.
Just keep in mind that LinkedIn is a professional site, so your posts should fit those specifics. Share insights from your industry, news about your company, personal achievements, and thought-provoking articles. Using LinkedIn’s native video feature or writing articles directly on the platform can also help increase your visibility.
When Is the Best Time to Post on Pinterest?
Pinterest is totally different because it’s a go-to spot for planning ahead, whether you’re looking into recipes, home decor, or travel ideas. Pay attention to the best time to post on Pinterest:
- Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Best days: Fridays and Saturdays
- Worst times: Evenings during after-work commuting hours
The late-night posting times show that a lot of users are browsing Pinterest when they’re relaxing, probably mapping out weekend fun or future projects. People love using Pinterest for inspiration and planning, especially when they’ve got some free time in the evenings and on weekends.
Pinterest’s Smart Feed algorithm takes into account how good and relevant the pins are and how users interact with them. If you want your content to be discovered, post high-quality, vertical images with great descriptions during these peak times.
A pin can keep getting discovered and repinned for months or even years after you first share it. So, while timing is key, the quality and SEO of your pins are just as important for staying popular on the platform long-term.
The Best & Worst Times to Post on TikTok (in EST)
TikTok has taken off, especially with younger people. According to data from Recurpost, here is the best time to post on Tik-Tok:
- 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
- Thursdays at 12 p.m.
- Fridays at 5 a.m.
Even though there isn’t a clear “worst day” to post on TikTok, some times during the week usually see less engagement:
- Mondays: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thursdays: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays: 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Saturdays: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sundays: 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Posting early in the morning and late at night aligns with the time when people are scrolling through TikTok before they start their day or when they’re getting ready for bed. What’s impressive about TikTok’s algorithm is that it doesn’t just care about how many followers you have or when you post. It’s all about how users engage with your content and how good this content is.
The “For You” page on TikTok shows content based on what users like instead of just what accounts they follow. Sure, posting during peak hours can help you get noticed at first, but the real secret to becoming successful on TikTok is to make content that’s fun and taps into current trends to get people interested.
Remember to use trending sounds, join in on challenges, and take advantage of TikTok’s features like duets and stitches to increase your chances of going viral. The younger crowd on the platform values authenticity and creativity, so let your brand’s personality shine through!
Also: How to Boost Your Social Media Presence
Which Are the Best Days to Post on Snapchat?
Snapchat is famous for its disappearing messages and fun augmented reality filters. The days when people are most active on Snapchat are typically:
- Thursdays
- Fridays
- Saturdays
Here are the best times of day:
- Late afternoon to evening: anytime from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Late at night: around 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
When you’re creating content for Snapchat, it’s about being spontaneous. Unlike other social media where you can plan your posts ahead of time, Snapchat works best when things feel fresh and in-the-moment. Make the most of Snapchat’s features like Stories, Snap Map, and AR filters to put together fun, interactive content.
So, while these timing tips are useful, what works best is when you focus on producing genuine, engaging content that captures Snapchat’s playful atmosphere. Try out different times and types of content to see what attracts your audience.
Best Time to Post on YouTube
YouTube is the top video-sharing platform, which provides creators and businesses with an excellent space to display all kinds of content. Even though the platform’s algorithm doesn’t prioritize recency as heavily as other social networks, detecting the best times to post can still help your videos get noticed.
The perfect time to upload can change based on your audience, but here are some general trends:
- Best days: Thursdays and Fridays
- Best times: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends
That said, it’s essential to check out YouTube Analytics to see when your specific audience is most active so you can adjust your posting schedule to fit them.
Videos on YouTube can get views longer than publications on other social media. Sure, posting at the best times is helpful, but for lasting success, the quality of your content and how well it’s optimized for search usually matter way more.
Thus, make sure to create valuable content that speaks to what your audience wants or cares about. A regular posting routine can build up excitement among your viewers and streamline your channel’s performance in the long run.
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FAQ
If you wonder, when is the most effective time to boost content on social media, the best frequency for posting depends on the platform, but as a rule, try to post 1-2 times a day on Facebook, 3-5 times a day on Twitter, and 1-2 times a day on Instagram. For LinkedIn, aim for 1-5 times a week.
The social media posting rule, known as the 80-20 rule, says that 80% of what you share should be informative, educational, or just plain entertaining for your audience. Meanwhile, only 20% should be focused on promoting your brand or products. This strategy will keep your audience engaged and stop your content from being too pushy.
When you’re posting on social media, make sure to adjust your content to fit the platform and its audience. Use great visuals, add some relevant hashtags, and connect with your followers by replying to their comments. Also, ensure that your content is useful for your audience and matches your brand’s objectives.