What Are the Best Days and Times to Post on Social Media? All Major Platform

You might wonder: does it really matter when I post on social media? The short answer is, yes—it absolutely does. Every social media platform has its own user patterns and algorithms that determine how your content is shown.

Posting at the right time means you're reaching your audience when they’re online, and this can be the difference between a post that gets lost in the noise and one that goes viral.

Engagement is key when it comes to social media success. If you want to build your brand, grow a following, or drive traffic to a website, posting at the right time is crucial.

Social media algorithms reward posts that get high engagement early on. If your audience sees and interacts with your content as soon as you post, you're more likely to get a snowball effect of likes, comments, and shares that push your post to even more users.

Let’s jump into the core of the topic. One of the key aspects of boosting your social media engagement is knowing when your audience is most active. When people are online, they are more likely to interact with your posts, giving you the engagement you need to grow. But the trick is that the best times to post on social media vary depending on the platform.

Each platform caters to a different audience, and their usage patterns reflect that. The best time to post on Facebook might not be the best time to post on Instagram or LinkedIn. So, let’s take a deep dive into the best posting times by platform for 2024.

In this section, we’ll break down the perfect times to post on social media for each day of the week. Whether it’s Monday morning or Sunday evening, I’ll show you how to maximize your post's visibility.

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Saturday

Saturday is all about free time, and many people spend more of it on social media. This is an ideal day to post content that’s more lifestyle-oriented or geared toward leisure activities. If you’re in the e-commerce or entertainment space, Saturday can be one of the best days to drive engagement and sales.

The best time to post on Saturday is late morning, around 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. People are generally more relaxed and may spend a bit more time browsing social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook.

In the late afternoon, engagement may drop slightly as people head out for errands or activities, but early evening around 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM is another prime time to post. This is when users are back home and often checking their phones for evening entertainment or plans.

Key points for Saturday:

• Late Morning: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Early Evening: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Sunday

Sunday is another fantastic day to post on social media, particularly if you’re aiming for engagement related to personal interests, hobbies, or inspiration for the week ahead. Since many people use Sundays to relax and unwind, they tend to spend more time browsing platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

The best time to post on Sunday is generally mid-morning, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This window works especially well for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as users often scroll through their feeds while enjoying a slower start to the day.

Another great time to post on Sundays is late afternoon to early evening, around 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, as people prepare for the upcoming week. This is a good window for more reflective or motivational content, particularly on LinkedIn and Facebook, where users may be looking for inspiration or advice to kickstart their week.

Key points for Sunday:

• Mid-morning: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Early Evening: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Monday

Ah, Monday is the start of the workweek. For many, it’s a day filled with to-do lists and catching up after the weekend. But is it a good day to post on social media? Absolutely, but the key is catching people at the right time.

The most effective time to post on Monday is typically early in the morning around 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This is when people are checking their phones, easing into the day, and perhaps scrolling through their social feeds while they prepare for work or school.

Another prime opportunity is during lunch breaks between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. After a busy morning, many professionals take a break and check their social media, which makes it an ideal time to post.

Lastly, early evening can also be effective, especially for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Posting between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM allows you to catch people who are winding down after a long day.

Key points for Monday:

• Morning: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Lunch: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Evening: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Tuesday

Tuesday is often a more productive day than Monday, which means people might have a bit more flexibility when it comes to engaging with social media content. Tuesday mornings are generally a great time to post because users are still in work mode but are starting to find more time to scroll through their feeds.

The best time to post on Tuesday is typically between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, just before people get fully absorbed in their tasks for the day. Another ideal time is during the afternoon, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM when users are taking breaks or checking their feeds after meetings or calls.

For certain platforms like LinkedIn, Tuesday afternoon is a prime time to post. Professionals are often looking for new insights or articles that can help them with their jobs, so posting around 2:00 PM can get you a lot of engagement from the business crowd.

Key points for Tuesday:

• Morning: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Afternoon: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• LinkedIn Peak: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Wednesday

By Wednesday, also known as “hump day,” most people are well-integrated into their workweek routines. Social media usage tends to peak during mid-week, as users take breaks and engage with content more frequently than they do on Mondays or Fridays.

The best time to post on Wednesday is mid-morning, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This window works especially well for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as users tend to check these platforms throughout their day. If you're looking to drive engagement on Twitter or LinkedIn, late morning, just before lunchtime, tends to be a sweet spot.

In the late afternoon, around 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, there’s often another surge of activity as people start to wrap up their tasks and take a quick social media break before the end of the workday.

Key points for Wednesday:

• Mid-Morning: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Late Afternoon: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Thursday

Thursday is often considered one of the best days to post on social media. Engagement levels are high as users start thinking about the weekend and may be more inclined to check their feeds. It’s also a prime day for marketers to post content aimed at driving end-of-week sales or engagement.

The best time to post on Thursday is between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM when people are still fresh and actively engaging with their networks. For Instagram and Pinterest, early afternoon 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM can also be an effective window, as users often browse these platforms during their lunch breaks.

By Thursday evening, engagement tends to spike once again, particularly between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This is an excellent time to post on visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok, as users are starting to relax and look for entertainment or inspiration for the weekend ahead.

Key points for Thursday:

• Morning: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Lunch: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Evening: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Best Time to Post on Social Media on Friday

Friday is a tricky day when it comes to social media posting. Early in the day, people are still in work mode, but as the day goes on, their attention starts to shift toward weekend plans. However, this doesn’t mean that Friday is a bad day to post quite the opposite if you time it right.

The best time to post on Friday is early in the morning, between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, when people are getting ready for the day. This is particularly true for Twitter and Facebook, as users check-in for a quick social update before wrapping up their week.

By the afternoon, around 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, social media activity tends to dip as people focus on finishing their work. However, Friday evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM is when engagement picks back up, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. People are in a more relaxed mood, looking for weekend entertainment or plans, and this is a great time to capture their attention.

Key points for Friday:

• Morning: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

It’s important to remember that not all industries are alike. The best time of day to post on social media can vary significantly depending on the industry you’re in. For example, a B2B company will have very different peak engagement times compared to a fashion influencer or an e-commerce brand.

1. B2B: For B2B companies, LinkedIn is a prime platform and peak times often align with the workday, typically from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Avoid posting after working hours.
2. E-commerce: E-commerce brands often see the best engagement in the evenings and on weekends, especially on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest
3. Entertainment: If you're in the entertainment industry, platforms like TikTok and YouTube are crucial, with peak times in the late evenings and weekends, especially Friday and Saturday nights.

Understanding your audience’s behaviours and the platform you’re posting on will help you determine the best times for your industry.

While these general guidelines give you a great starting point, you’ll need to customize your social media strategy based on your audience. Fortunately, there are several ways to find the ideal time to post on social media using analytics tools.

Built-In Analytics Tools

Most social media platforms offer built-in analytics tools that give you insights into when your audience is most active. For example:

Facebook Insights shows you when your followers are online.

Instagram Insights helps you see which times of day your audience engages most.

LinkedIn Analytics provides similar data, showing when professionals engage with your content.

Third-Party Analytics

If you’re managing multiple platforms or need more detailed data, third-party analytics tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer offer more robust insights into audience behaviour, peak times, and engagement trends. These tools can help you compare different platforms and schedule posts for optimal times.

Social Media Management Software

Social media management software not only allows you to schedule posts in advance but also offers analytics to help you figure out the best times to post. Tools like CoSchedule, Later, and Loomly can automate the process and adjust your posting times based on real-time engagement data.

Market Research

Conducting your market research on your audience can also help you fine-tune your posting schedule. Ask your followers directly when they’re most active, or experiment with different times to see which performs best.

While timing is critical, it’s equally important to balance your posting schedule with high-quality content. You don’t want to compromise the value of your content just to post at the right time. Here’s how you can strike the perfect balance:

Plan Ahead

Planning your content allows you to post at the right times without scrambling to create last-minute posts. Use a content calendar to ensure that your posts are scheduled for optimal times without sacrificing quality.

Quality Over Quantity

It’s easy to get caught up in posting frequently, but quality over quantity should always be your priority. If you post subpar content, even at the best times, your audience may lose interest. Focus on creating valuable, engaging content, and use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to make your visuals stand out.

Test and Discover

Testing different times and measuring the results will help you find the balance between posting frequently and maintaining quality. Experiment with different posting schedules, and use analytics tools to track which times yield the best results for both engagement and quality.

Use Scheduling Tools

Scheduling tools like Hootsuite and Buffer allow you to automate your posts, ensuring they go live at the best times while freeing up your time to focus on creating high-quality content.

Get Your Audience Involved

Ask your audience when they would like to see more posts from you. Creating polls or directly asking for feedback on your stories or posts is a great way to ensure your audience is getting the content they want when they want it.

Timing is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are 10 key factors to consider when you’re crafting your social media posting strategy:

1. Your posting matches your goal: Tailor your posting schedule to match your goals, whether it’s to increase engagement, drive traffic, or grow followers.

2. Time zones: Consider the time zones of your audience, especially if you have a global following. Posting at the wrong time for a large segment of your audience can decrease engagement.

3. Frequency matters: Posting too often can overwhelm your followers while posting too little can make you irrelevant. Find the sweet spot for your audience.

4. Audience demographics: Different demographics engage with content at different times. Younger audiences may be more active on weekends, while professionals might be more active during work hours.

5. The algorithm: Social media platforms prioritize engagement. Posting at times when your audience is most active can

help you get in front of more users.

6. Don’t necessarily follow your competitors: While competitor research is important, what works for them might not work for you. Your audience and content are unique.

7. Content type: Some content types perform better at certain times. For example, video content may perform better in the evenings when users have more time to engage.

8. Platform: Each social media platform has its own best practices and ideal posting times.

9. Engagement windows: Post at times when your audience is likely to engage within the first hour. This is critical for boosting visibility in the algorithms.

10. Consistency: Once you’ve found your optimal posting times, be consistent. Your audience will come to expect your content at regular intervals.

There’s a lot of debate about whether posting times truly matter in the era of ever-changing algorithms. While it’s true that social media platforms focus more on content quality and engagement, timing still plays a role.

Some common myths to debunk include:

Myth 1: Posting at the best time guarantees success. Timing helps, but great content is the key driver.

Myth 2: You should post only during peak hours. While peak times are important, off-peak times can still deliver good engagement, particularly for niche content.

Myth 3: There’s one universal best time to post on all platforms. As we’ve seen, the best time varies based on platform, audience, and content.

One of the trickiest parts of social media marketing is accounting for different time zones. When you have a global audience, you need to consider the time differences between regions. Here’s a breakdown of the best times to post in different time zones:

Best Time to Post on Social Media in the UK

For UK-based audiences, the best time to post on social media is:

Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Many users check social media before work.

Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Engagement tends to spike after work hours when people are unwinding.

Best Time to Post on Social Media in the USA

The US spans several time zones, but in general:

The best time for the Eastern Time Zone (EST): is 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The best time for the Pacific Time Zone (PST): is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Best Time to Post on Social Media in Canada

For Canadian audiences, the best time to post is similar to the US, as both countries have overlapping time zones:

Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): People tend to check their social media before work or during their commute.

Lunchtime (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Engagement increases during work breaks.

Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Peak social media activity spikes after work hours.

Users' habits change as social media platforms evolve. In 2024, expect to see a few new trends in optimal posting times:

Short-form video content: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels will dominate, meaning engagement will likely be higher in the evenings when users relax.

Increased weekend engagement: With remote work becoming more common, users have more flexibility, leading to more weekend social media usage.

Personalized posting times: Algorithms are getting smarter, and social platforms may begin recommending posting times based on personalized user data.

Your social media strategy is never static—it should evolve as your audience and platform trends change. To continuously optimize your posting schedule, consider these steps:

1. Regularly review analytics: Keep an eye on platform insights to adjust your posting times based on your audience's habits.

2. Stay updated on trends: Social media platforms change frequently, so be ready to shift your strategy as necessary.

3. Experiment: Don’t be afraid to test different times and days. Sometimes, unexpected windows may yield better results.

4. Engage with your audience: Pay attention to when your audience responds and adjust your strategy accordingly.