Best Time to Post on Social Media platforms: A New Study

Social media has emerged as a potent tool for networking, sharing content and yes, even generating money, depending on your social media goal(s). But here's the twist: You might be doing everything right, yet your goals will remain elusive if the timing of your posts is off. Simply put, your post timing is just as important for social media success as the rest of your social media strategy. 

So, get ready to learn about the prime days, peak hours for every platform and content type and other expert insights that will make your social media presence masterfully timed. Buckle up because we're going to demonstrate how, in the realm of social media marketing, the clock can be your best friend! 

Why does posting time matter on social media?

Posting time is crucial because it directly impacts your content’s visibility and engagement on social media. When you post at the right times, your audience is more likely to see, interact with and share your content. This means higher engagement rates and better overall performance for your posts. Studies reveal that posting at the optimal time can increase engagement rates by as much as 50%. Think of it like this: if you post when your followers are most active, you’re more likely to catch their attention and spark meaningful interactions. 

But there’s more to it! Social media algorithms play a significant role in how your posts are ranked and displayed. It loves fresh content. If your post is the newest one when your audience is scrolling through their feeds, it’s more likely to catch their eye. This initial nudge of visibility can set off a chain reaction of likes, comments and shares, amplifying your reach. 

“If yours is the freshest post when your audience is most active, more people are likely to see it.” 

Source: WordStream 

But remember, timing alone isn’t the magic formula. Quality content is key. Even the best timing won’t help if your content isn’t relevant or engaging. Think of it this way: The best time to post mediocre content is never. 

Engagement — those likes, comments, shares and clicks — is the real MVP. Social media algorithms use these signals to determine if a post is worth showing to more people. The more engagement your content gets, the more likely it is to appear in newsfeeds. So, while posting time is important, combining it with high-quality content will maximize your reach and effectiveness.   

Key summary: Optimal days and times to post on social media  

Striking the right balance in your posting frequency is key to maintaining engagement without overwhelming your audience. Over-posting can lead to fatigue, while under-posting may cause your content to get lost in the shuffle. Knowing the optimal days and times to post simplifies this process, allowing you to maximize your reach and impact. Here’s a snapshot of the best days and times to get the most bang for your online buck. 

Engagement is generally highest from Tuesday to Thursday, particularly between 9 AM and 2 PM

Best time to post on social media by platform

Selecting the ideal platform is the first step to a successful social media strategy. With the right platform in place, optimizing when you post is the next crucial step. 

Each platform has its own unique pulse and knowing when to share your content is key to making it shine. Whether you're looking to spark conversations, drive clicks or simply get more eyes on your message, timing is everything. Aligning your posts with the rhythms of your audience can unlock a whole new level of engagement and growth. 

In this section, we'll break down the ideal posting times for seven key social media platforms.   

Let’s explore the best times to post on each platform to ensure your content shines at its peak. 

What are the best times to post on Facebook?  

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 9 AM – 11 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM; Thursdays and Fridays show higher engagement. 

🔍 Reason: Users check their feeds during work breaks and are more active as the weekend approaches. 

🏢 Best for: Retail, consumer services, entertainment. 

📈 Outcome: Expect steady engagement with higher likes and comments, especially on posts shared in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. 

Learn More: The A-Z of Facebook Marketing 

What are the best times to post on Instagram? 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 11 AM – 1 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM; Wednesdays are particularly effective. 

🔍 Reason: Users are most active during lunch and in the evening, with mid-week being a peak time for engagement. 

🏢 Best for: Fashion, lifestyle, travel, food. 

📈 Outcome: High visual engagement with lots of likes and shares, particularly effective for brand visibility and interaction. 

Deep Dive: Best Times to Post on Instagram in 2024 [Latest data] 

What are the best times to post on X?

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 10 AM – 11 AM, 6 PM – 7 PM; Wednesday and Thursday show increased activity. 

🔍 Reason: The fast-paced nature of X requires timely posts; late mornings and early evenings catch users in peak engagement periods. 

🏢 Best for: News, technology, sports, entertainment. 

📈 Outcome: Quick and frequent interactions, ideal for real-time updates and engagement. 

Here are 13 Essential X Metrics for Brands to Monitor in 2024 

What are the best times to post on LinkedIn? 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 10 AM – 11 AM, 12 PM – 1 PM; Tuesday is the most active day. 

🔍 Reason: Professionals are most engaged during mid-morning and lunch breaks on business days. 

🏢 Best for: B2B/B2C marketing, professional services, career development. 

📈 Outcome: Strong engagement with higher levels of shares and professional interactions. 

Learn more on the Best Days and Times to Post on LinkedIn for 2024 

What are the best times to post on Pinterest? 

🕒 Key times: Evenings: 8 PM – 11 PM; Saturday is the busiest day. 

🔍 Reason: Users browse for inspiration and ideas in the evenings and on weekends when they have more free time. 

🏢 Best for: Home decor, fashion, DIY, recipes. 

📈 Outcome: High engagement with repins and saves, particularly for visually appealing and inspirational content. 

Learn how you can use Pinterest Advertising for the Holidays

What are the best times to post on TikTok? 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 6 AM – 10 AM and 7 PM – 11 PM; Most ideal: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. 

🔍 Reason: Users are most active in the mornings and evenings, exploring content before starting their day and after winding down from work or school. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are particularly effective as engagement tends to peak during these days. 

🏢 Best for: Viral content, trends, music, dance challenges. 

📈 Outcome: High levels of engagement and virality, ideal for reaching a younger audience with creative content. 

Download The Ultimate Guide to TikTok Marketing 

What are the best times to post on YouTube? 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM; weekends are also effective with Sunday being the best day to post (9 AM – 11 AM). 

🔍 Reason: Users watch videos in the late afternoon and evening when they’re home from work or school, with weekends offering more flexibility. 

🏢 Best for: Long-form content, tutorials, vlogs, educational videos. 

📈 Outcome: Strong viewership and engagement, particularly for in-depth content and educational material.

Best time to post on social media by content type 

Each content type has its own peak engagement periods, influenced by user behavior and platform algorithms. In this section, we’ll explore the optimal posting times for various content types, so you can tailor your strategy and ensure your content gets the attention it deserves. 

Video content

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM; Weekends: Early afternoons. 

🔍 Reason: Users are most likely to watch videos during late afternoons and evenings when they’re winding down from work or school. Weekends provide additional leisure time for longer videos. 

📈 Outcome: Higher engagement rates with more views, likes and shares. Ideal for in-depth content, tutorials and entertainment that requires more time and focus. 

Learn More: Video Marketing Statistics for 2024 

Image-based posts 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 9 AM – 11 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM; Saturdays: 11 AM – 1 PM. 

🔍 Reason: Images perform well during mid-morning and early afternoons when users are taking breaks and scrolling through their feeds. On weekends, users are more relaxed and receptive to visual content. 

📈 Outcome: Increased likes and shares, especially for visually appealing and engaging images that capture users’ attention quickly. 

Interesting Read: Reverse Image Search on Social at Scale 

Text-based posts 

🕒 Key times: Weekdays: 7 AM - 9 AM, 8 PM - 10 PM; Wednesdays and Thursdays are particularly effective. 

🔍 Reason: Users check updates before starting their day and before going to bed. Midweek engagement is high as users seek informative and interactive content. 

📈 Outcome: Enhanced engagement with comments and shares, ideal for updates, thoughts and engaging discussions that prompt user interaction. 

Read More: A Guide to 5 Go-to Social Media Content Types 

Stories and short-lived content 

🕒 Key times: Evenings: 7 PM – 9 PM; Weekends: 8 PM – 10 PM. 

🔍 Reason: Stories and temporary content see peak engagement in the evening when users are more likely to interact with ephemeral posts. Weekends also provide a relaxed time for engaging with short-lived content. 

📈 Outcome: Increased viewer interactions and engagement, ideal for time-sensitive updates, behind-the-scenes content and personal or informal interactions. 

Learn More: How to Use Social Media Stories 

How to identify best posting times on your own 

1. Use social media analytics 

To determine the best times to post on social media and refine your posting schedule, consider the following data from your social media analytics: 

1. Analyze engagement metrics 

• Likes, comments, shares: Identify when your posts receive the highest engagement. 
• Views and impressions: Check the times when your content is most viewed. 

 Quick Read: Social Media Metrics: All Types Explained [2024]  

2. Review audience insights 

• Social media demographics: Understand the age, location and interests of your audience. 

Active hours: Look at when your followers are most active online. 

3. Track post performance 

• Top-performing posts: Note the times and days when your best posts were published. 
• Content type analysis: Determine which types of social media content perform best at different times. 

 4. Use platform analytics tools 

• Facebook Insights, Instagram Insights, Twitter Analytics: Utilize built-in tools to gather data on post performance and audience behavior. 
• Third-party tools: Consider using social media analytics tools like Sprinklr for more detailed insights. 

 5. Experiment and adjust 

• Social media A/B testing: Try posting at different times and compare the results. 
• Continuous monitoring: Regularly review your analytics and adjust your posting schedule based on the latest data. 

 6. Consider industry trends 

• Benchmarking: Compare your data with industry standards to see if your posting times align with general trends. 
• Seasonal variations: Be aware of how engagement might change during holidays or special events. 

Here are Social media benchmarks every marketer must know

By consistently analyzing and interpreting your social media analytics, you can refine your posting times to maximize engagement and reach. 

2. Use an all-in-one tool like Sprinklr Social 

If using social media analytics seems like a task (honestly, it is), consider using an all-in-one social media management tool like Sprinklr. Our Smart Scheduling feature is designed to auto-schedule posts at optimal times after factoring in all key parameters – platform algorithms, audience insights and content types. With this one feature, you can: 

1. Analyze historical data: Smart Scheduling uses up to 30 days of data from your account to assess previous post performance. It looks at engagement metrics such as shares, comments, likes, impressions and fan count (for Facebook and Instagram) to determine optimal posting times. 

 2. Get AI-driven recommendations: Instead of guessing, Sprinklr’s AI recommends the best times to post. The Smart Scheduler calculates a score for every hour of the day based on engagement metrics and identifies peak times for the upcoming week. 

3. Choose optimal time slots: When scheduling a post, it provides multiple recommended time slots for your chosen date. This ensures your posts go live during high-traffic periods, tailored to each social account. 

4. Avoid overlapping posts: This tool takes into account your existing scheduled posts to avoid conflicts and ensure optimal spacing between posts. 

5. Automate and adjust: It continuously updates its recommendations based on daily data, eliminating manual scheduling and guesswork. If data is not yet available for an account, you can manually set the date and time until the scheduler can provide recommendations. Simply click the edit icon, set your preferred timing and schedule as usual. 

Intrigued by the possibilities? Jump in and explore how Sprinklr’s scheduler can turn your social media strategy into a well-oiled machine with our free trial! 👇  

Ready to post on social media at the best time? 

The timing of your social media postings may have a big influence on your return on investment. You can make your content more visible and encourage deeper conversations by knowing when your audience is most interested and active. Remember to modify your posting schedule according to your target market and industry. Staying adaptable and regularly reviewing your data can help you remain ahead of the curve and provide a greater return on investment in the quick-paced world of social media.   

As stated, with Sprinklr Social, you can engage customers on more than 35 social and messaging platforms with ease and use integrated listening to join in on relevant conversations that don't specifically involve your brand. Moreover, Sprinklr was set up with the explicit goal of assisting businesses in expanding their reach, speeding up content creation and enhancing their ROI. So, all set to take Sprinklr for a test run?