Timing is essential in the quick-paced world of social media. Knowing when to post could be the difference between your material becoming viral or going into the deep, especially with algorithms getting more and more complex. It will be more important than ever in 2024 to know when to publish on social media.
So, what are the ideal times to share content on social media?
When developing their plan for social media posting, businesses ask themselves this question more than any other. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, though, as every platform has different user demographics and habits.
To determine the optimal periods, we examined 50,000 accounts from various businesses. You may increase the likelihood that your audience will see and interact with your posts by making use of the many appropriate times that are discussed in this blog.
The best times of day to publish on social media will help you gain followers, but the post’s real success depends on the quality of the content you offer.
Check out the times and let’s get excited!
First, Understanding Your Audience
Before diving into specific posting times, it’s essential to understand your audience. Consider factors like:
- Time Zones: If your audience is global, consider scheduling posts that accommodate multiple time zones.
- Demographics: Different age groups and professions have varying social media usage patterns.
- Behavior Patterns: Identify when your audience is most active on social media. Are they morning scrollers or late-night users?
Use analytics tools to track when your followers are most engaged. This data will help you tailor your posting schedule to your specific audience.
Best Time to Post on Social Media in 2024
The ideal times to post on social media are in the early afternoons (1 pm to 3 pm), in the evenings (7 pm to 9 pm), and on midweek days (Wednesday and Thursday). We came to this conclusion by keeping an eye on the activity of more than 50,000 accounts in a variety of sectors and places.
| 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 |
| Saturday: 12 pm, 7 pm, or 8 pm |
| Sunday: 8 am, 11 am, or 4 pm |
Monday Is the Greatest Day to Post on Social Media
On Mondays, 11 a.m. to noon is the ideal time to post on social media.
Mondays are the best times to post on social media because individuals start their workweek by monitoring their emails and taking regular breaks. When they’re ready to interact with the material, this window helps to capture their interest.
Posting during this time allows your content to reach an audience that is actively engaging with their devices. It’s a prime window for grabbing attention, as many users are taking short breaks or are in between meetings.
Engaging content posted at this time is more likely to be seen, liked, shared, and commented on, giving it a greater chance of going viral.
Additionally, the mid-morning slot aligns well with the time when people are most alert and receptive to new information, making it an excellent opportunity to maximize visibility and interaction.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Tuesday
Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. is the ideal time to post on social media.
Tuesday is a good time to post on social media since people are seeking fast distractions, are taking breaks from their workweek, and are completely engaged in it. This increases the likelihood that they will interact with your content.
By Tuesday, people have settled into their routines, and they tend to take breaks around these times to check social media. Posting during these windows ensures that your content is seen when users are most likely to interact.
The mid-morning to early afternoon period is especially effective for reaching professionals who might check their feeds during lunch breaks or between tasks.
Additionally, the 3 pm to 4 pm window taps into the post-lunch slump, a time when many people turn to social media for a quick mental break before finishing their day.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Wednesday
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the ideal time to post on social media.
Wednesday is the best time to post on social media Network because it’s midweek and people are in the mood for it. During these hours, people search for interesting information and beneficial breaks.
This midweek window is crucial for reaching audiences who are deep into their work routines and are likely checking social media as a form of distraction or during breaks.
Posting during these hours aligns with the peak activity on platforms, as users tend to engage more with content during the middle of the week when they’re looking for a mix of professional insights and entertainment.
The morning hours capture early risers and those settling into their workday, while the late morning to early afternoon period hits the sweet spot when users are most active online.
By targeting this time frame, your posts have a better chance of being seen, liked, and shared, ensuring higher engagement rates.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Thursday
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the ideal period for social media posts.
People are finishing up workweek activities by Thursday and looking for quick distractions. When they are most engaged and active on the internet, this is the time frame that grabs their attention.
As the workweek nears its end, people tend to become more active on social media, looking for inspiration, news, or a break from their tasks. Posting during this window allows your content to reach an audience that is engaged and likely to interact.
The morning hours are particularly effective for capturing attention as users are starting their day and checking their feeds for updates.
The period leading up to early afternoon is also optimal because people are often looking for content to consume during lunch breaks or in between meetings. By posting during these peak hours, you maximize the chances of your content being seen, shared, and driving meaningful engagement.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Friday
Friday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. are the ideal times to post on social media.
It’s best to post on social media on Fridays between 10 and 11 am, when people are finishing off work, preparing for the weekend, and winding down their week. They are most responsive and energetic at this time, so you may grab their attention.
This time slot is crucial because it catches users who are winding down their workweek and are more inclined to engage with content that offers entertainment, inspiration, or insights.
By late morning, many people are in a relaxed state, preparing for the weekend, and may be more likely to scroll through their social media feeds during breaks. Posting during this window ensures that your content is seen at a time when users are in a receptive mood, ready to like, share, and comment.
Additionally, Friday mornings often see increased social media activity as people start to plan their weekend activities, making it an ideal time to capture their attention with engaging posts.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Saturday
On Saturdays, the ideal times to post on social media are around 12 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.
The optimal times to post on social media on Saturdays are 12 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. These times help us maximize audience engagement by capturing them during their relaxed weekend activities and evening downtime.
These times capture different segments of the weekend audience, ensuring your content reaches users who are active at various points throughout the day. Posting at noon targets those who are just starting their day, perhaps after a morning of leisure, and are checking their feeds for updates.
The 7 pm and 8 pm slots are particularly effective for reaching users who are relaxing in the evening, likely winding down from the day’s activities, and more inclined to spend time on social media.
These evening hours are prime for engagement, as users are more likely to interact with content that resonates with their weekend mood, making it an ideal time for posts that entertain, inform, or inspire.
Best Time to Post on Social Media on Sunday
On Sundays, the optimal times to post on social media are 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m.
The optimal times to post on social media on Sundays are at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. These are the times, including morning routines, late morning breaks, and late afternoon relaxation, when people are most likely to be checking their feeds.
The ideal time to publish on social media varies depending on the platform and numerous other circumstances, although there are some common patterns. Therefore, it’s best to choose the posting window for each unique platform.
These times capture different phases of the day when users are most likely to be active on their devices. Posting at 8 am targets early risers who are starting their day with a scroll through their feeds.
The 11 am slot hits the late morning crowd, often those who are preparing for the day ahead or relaxing after a leisurely start.
Finally, 4 pm is a key time when users are winding down their weekend, perhaps reflecting on the week ahead, and are more likely to engage with content that helps them relax or provides value.
By posting at these times, you can ensure that your content reaches users when they are most likely to engage, maximizing visibility and interaction.
Here’s a brief overview of the ideal times broken down by platform:
- Facebook: On midweek days, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, the optimal times to post on Facebook are from 7 to 9 a.m., from 1 to 3 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Twitter: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, as well as early afternoon to evening, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, are the ideal times to post on Twitter.
- YouTube: On weekdays, the optimal times to publish on YouTube are often from 2 to 4 p.m., and on weekends, from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday is the ideal day to upload on YouTube.
- TikTok: Tuesday from 2 to 9 a.m., Thursday from 9 to 7 a.m., Friday from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. are the ideal times to upload.
- LinkedIn: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. are the ideal times to post.
- Pinterest: 3 p.m. on Friday, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Sunday are the ideal times to post.
Best Time to Post on Social Media by Platform
We analyzed over 700,000 posts from over 50,000 accounts on each social media site that was connected to Nova Growth to perform a thorough investigation on the optimal times to post on social media.
The effectiveness of these posts was examined in the study, with particular attention paid to how their engagement rates changed based on the precise days and hours of the week that they were shared. The optimal times to post on social media each day of the week are identified by the research.
Let’s move on to the in-depth explanation of these main social media networks’ posting hours now that you have a general understanding of when it is ideal to post on them.
First, let’s get going on Facebook!
1: Facebook
For the most impressions on Facebook, posting between 7 and 9 a.m. is the best time to do so. After observing the interaction of more than 50,000 accounts in a variety of sectors and regions, we came to this conclusion.
| Monday: 9 am to 10 am |
| Tuesday: 9 am to 10 am |
| Wednesday: 5 am, 11 am, and 3 pm |
| Thursday: 12 pm and 5 pm |
| Friday: 9 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 6 pm |
| Saturday: 8 am to 12 pm |
| Sunday: 10 am to 2 pm |
Posting during this early morning window allows content to be among the first things users see as they start their day, leading to higher engagement and visibility.
Morning posts tend to catch users during their initial social media check-ins, which are often done while commuting, having breakfast, or before starting work.
This timing also aligns with when people are more likely to interact with content, as they are often looking for a quick distraction or information at the start of their day. By targeting this window, you can maximize the reach and impact of your Facebook posts.
2: Instagram
| Monday: 9 am to 10 am |
| Tuesday: 9 am to 10 am |
| Wednesday: 5 am, 11 am, and 3 pm |
| Thursday: 12 pm and 5 pm |
| Friday: 9 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 6 pm |
| Saturday: 8 am to 12 pm |
| Sunday: 10 am to 2 pm |
Posting during this timeframe allows your content to reach users as they begin their daily routines, often checking Instagram after breakfast or upon arriving at work.
This window is particularly effective because it coincides with when people are likely to be in a more relaxed state, casually scrolling through their feeds.
Morning posts also benefit from being seen by users who check their Instagram multiple times a day, ensuring that your content is fresh and at the top of their feeds.
By posting between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., you increase the chances of engaging a wider audience.
3: Twitter (X)
| Monday: 7 am to 10 am |
| Tuesday: 10 am to 1 pm |
| Wednesday: 6 am to 9 am |
| Thursday: 10 am to 1 pm |
| Friday: 8 am to 11 am |
| Saturday: 8 am to 11 am |
| Sunday: 8 am to 11 am |
On weekends, the ideal posting time shifts to early afternoon through evening, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. These time slots have been identified as peak periods for user activity, ensuring that your tweets are more likely to be seen and engaged with.
Morning posts capture users who check Twitter as part of their daily routine, often looking for the latest news and updates. Evening posts take advantage of users unwinding after work or catching up on what they missed throughout the day.
By timing your posts strategically, you can tap into these high-traffic periods and boost your Twitter engagement.
4: YouTube
| 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 |
Posting during these times aligns with peak viewing periods when users are most likely to be active on the platform.
Weekday afternoons are ideal as they coincide with the time when people are likely to take breaks or finish their workday, leading to increased video consumption.
On weekends, morning posts capture the attention of users who have more leisure time and are more likely to watch longer content.
By scheduling your uploads during these optimal windows, you increase the chances of your videos being viewed, shared, and engaged with, ultimately driving more traffic to your channel.
5: 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 am, 7 pm |
| Friday: 5 am, 1 pm, 3 pm |
| Saturday: 11 am, 7 pm, 8 pm |
| Sunday: 7 am, 8 am, 4 pm |
This recommendation comes from analyzing the engagement of over 50,000+ accounts across various industries and locations.
Posting during this late morning window allows your content to reach users when they are most active on the platform, often taking breaks during their day to browse TikTok.
Tuesday and Thursday have been identified as particularly strong days for engagement, likely due to users seeking midweek entertainment.
By targeting these specific times, you can maximize your content’s visibility and engagement, ensuring that your videos reach a broader audience when they are most likely to be online.
6: LinkedIn
| Monday: 11 am |
| Tuesday: 6 am to 8 am |
| Wednesday: 12 am |
| Thursday: 2 pm |
| Friday: 8 am |
| Saturday: 4 am to 5 am |
| Sunday: 6 pm |
These mid-morning hours are ideal for reaching professionals who are active on LinkedIn during their workday.
By posting during this window, you ensure that your content is seen by users who are checking LinkedIn for updates, industry news, or networking opportunities during breaks or before important meetings.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are peak days for LinkedIn engagement, as they are often when professionals are most focused on their work and career development.
By timing your posts to coincide with these high-traffic periods, you increase the likelihood of reaching your target audience and driving meaningful interactions.
7: Pinterest
| Monday: 8 pm to 9 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm |
| Tuesday: 8 pm to 9 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm |
| Wednesday: 8 pm to 9 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm |
| Thursday: 8 pm to 9 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm |
| Friday: 2 pm to 6 pm |
| Saturday: 11 am, 4:00 pm to 7 pm, and 11 pm |
| Sunday: 12 pm, 4 pm, and 8 pm to 10 pm |
These timeframes have been identified as peak periods for user engagement after monitoring the activity of over 50,000+ accounts across various industries and locations.
The late afternoon to evening window is particularly effective because it aligns with when users are likely to be winding down for the day, often seeking inspiration or planning activities for the next day.
Evening posts capture users who are more relaxed and likely to spend more time browsing Pinterest.
By scheduling your pins during these optimal times, you can increase your content’s visibility and engagement, reaching users when they are most receptive to discovering and saving new ideas.
How to identify the ideal times for you to post on social media?
Identifying the ideal times to post on social media involves a combination of understanding your audience, analyzing data, and experimenting with different posting times. The goal is to ensure that your content reaches the maximum number of people when they are most active and engaged.
Start by analyzing your audience demographics. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide insights into when your followers are most active. This data can give you an initial understanding of the peak times when your audience is online.
For example, if your audience primarily consists of working professionals, they might be more active during early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings.
Next, review the analytics provided by your social media platforms. Tools like Instagram Insights, Facebook Analytics, or Twitter Analytics offer detailed reports on your post-performance, including engagement rates.
By looking at the times when your posts receive the most likes, comments, and shares, you can identify patterns and pinpoint the hours or days that yield the highest engagement.
It’s also crucial to consider the nature of your content and the platform you’re using. Different platforms have different user behaviors. For example, LinkedIn is more business-focused and tends to see higher engagement during weekdays, particularly during work hours.
In contrast, Instagram and Facebook might have higher engagement in the evenings or weekends when users have more leisure time.
Experimentation plays a significant role in refining your posting schedule. Test posting at various times and monitor the results. Over time, you’ll be able to identify which times consistently generate the best engagement.
It’s important to revisit and adjust your posting schedule regularly, as audience behavior can change due to factors like holidays, changes in work habits, or even shifts in the algorithm of the social media platform itself.
Finally, consider using social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social. These tools often have features that suggest the best times to post based on your account’s historical data.
They can also help you schedule posts in advance, ensuring that your content is consistently shared during optimal times, even if you’re not actively online.
By combining audience analysis, data review, content consideration, and continuous experimentation, you can identify the ideal times to post on social media, maximizing your reach and engagement.
Conclusion
To be honest, there isn’t just one ideal time to post on social media.
However, it’s a positive thing in some ways. Who would want to live in a world where there was just one ideal time to share something?
When you truly work hard to produce exceptional material, you naturally want as many eyes to see it as possible, don’t you?
Well, you can seize the opportunity with ease now!
You may increase the likelihood that your audience will notice and interact with your posts by using the program that publish to tiny media platforms and determines the optimal times.
Additionally, you may automate your publishing on seven social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok—by utilizing the unmatched scheduling features of your preferred platform.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1: What is the best time to post on social media in 2024?
The best time to post on social media in 2024 can vary depending on your audience, industry, and platform.
However, studies suggest that posting during weekdays between 9 AM to 12 PM tends to yield the highest engagement across most platforms. For example, on Instagram and Facebook, late mornings to early afternoons are peak times.
On LinkedIn, posting between 8 AM to 10 AM or during lunchtime is optimal. These time slots align with when people are most likely to check their social media during breaks or while commuting.
2: How do I determine the best posting time for my specific audience?
To find the best posting time for your audience, analyze your social media insights or analytics tools. Look for patterns in engagement rates, such as likes, comments, and shares, across different days and times.
Experiment with posting at various times and track the performance. Consider the demographics of your audience, including their location, age, and occupation, as these factors influence when they are most active online.
Use tools like Facebook Insights, Instagram Analytics, and Twitter Analytics to identify peak times specific to your followers.
3: Do different social media platforms have different optimal posting times?
Yes, different platforms have unique optimal posting times based on user behavior. For example:
- Facebook: Best times are generally from 9 AM to 1 PM, with Wednesdays showing the highest engagement.
- Instagram: Late mornings to early afternoons (9 AM to 11 AM) on weekdays tend to work well.
- Twitter: Posting between 9 AM and 3 PM on weekdays, especially Wednesdays and Fridays, is effective.
- LinkedIn: Best times are 8 AM to 10 AM or 5 PM to 6 PM on weekdays, as professionals check LinkedIn before or after work.
- TikTok: Evenings (7 PM to 9 PM) and weekends see high engagement due to the platform’s entertainment-focused content.
4: How does posting frequency affect the best time to post?
Posting frequency can influence the effectiveness of your posting times. If you post multiple times a day, you’ll have more flexibility to experiment with different time slots.
However, if you post less frequently, it’s crucial to choose your times wisely to maximize reach and engagement. Posting at consistent times helps train your audience to expect content at those times, potentially boosting engagement.
Keep an eye on your engagement metrics to adjust your posting frequency and timing as needed.
5: Should I consider time zones when planning my social media posts?
Absolutely. If your audience is spread across different time zones, you’ll need to adjust your posting times to accommodate them.
For a global audience, consider posting during times that align with multiple time zones. For instance, posting at 12 PM EST can reach both East Coast and West Coast audiences in the U.S. as well as some European followers.
Social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite and Buffer allow you to schedule posts for specific times in different time zones, ensuring maximum visibility.
6: How often should I reassess the best times to post on social media?
It’s a good idea to reassess your posting times regularly, especially as your audience grows or changes. Social media trends and user behavior can shift, so what worked a few months ago might not be as effective today.
Review your analytics at least quarterly to identify any changes in engagement patterns. Also, keep an eye on industry trends and any platform algorithm updates that might affect the optimal posting times.
Continual reassessment ensures your strategy remains effective and aligned with your audience’s habits.
I’m Ibrar Ahmed, a WordPress and SEO expert with 5+ years of experience helping businesses of all sizes improve their online visibility and organic traffic. Proven track record of success in increasing search engine rankings, leads, and sales.
