When is the best time to post on social media?

Overview

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Social media is constantly evolving. People don’t just look at their feeds for entertainment or to find out what their friend ate for lunch anymore. Instead, people get all kinds of information from social media — such as facts about a business, customer service help, and more. And now more than ever, social media has become a hub for online shopping and ecommerce.

Creating a strategy around when to post on each of your channels is a social media best practice. So, when is the best time to post on social media? This post will guide you on the best days and times to post on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

You probably know there’s no such thing as a “one schedule fits all” approach to getting your post timing right. The most reliable learnings on the best days and times to post will come from your own analytics and by monitoring your social media engagement rates. The timing of a given post depends on the platform, your target audience, seasonality (like national and regional holidays), global events (like a pandemic), and above all — the quality of your content.

However, this report covers general best practices for better engagement and reach, sourced through a study by Sprout Social as well as other sources linked throughout.

best time to post on social media platforms

The best times to post on social media

The best times to post on Instagram

People are spending more time on Instagram, which means there’s a higher chance of reaching your audience when they’re online. The peak time for posting on Instagram falls midday during the week.

The best times to post on Facebook

Facebook’s window of best times to post has also widened. Much like on Instagram, Facebook posts that go live on weekdays after 5pm or anytime on weekends get less engagement.

The best times to post on X (Twitter)

X is the destination for people looking for the latest news and hot takes. It’s also a key channel for your audience to @ you in their mentions or connect via direct messages. Wednesday is the strongest day to get engagements here.

The best times to post on LinkedIn

LinkedIn typically gets the bulk of its engagement from Tuesday to Thursday between 9am and 11am. It makes sense that people would be on LinkedIn most during their workweeks. Like other social media platforms, weekends are slow on LinkedIn.

The best times to post on Pinterest

Pinterest has a very different demographic compared to the other platforms. It skews female and caters to people looking to gain inspiration for crafts, events, projects, hobbies, passion projects, and small businesses. This variety of use cases helps explain why Pinterest’s peak days and times land outside of working hours, as opposed to the other social platforms we cover in this post.

The best times to post on TikTok

Target your captive TikTok audience mid-week, in the afternoon.

The best times to post on Snapchat

Snapchat is the nocturnal member of the group with most of its users being active at night, according to Lift. Keep the late-night habits of your Snapchat audience in mind when posting to this platform.

The best times to post on YouTube

It can take time for the YouTube algorithm to pick up on new content. Therefore, it’s best to begin your YouTube strategy by understanding the times when most users watch videos. According to HowSociable, the best time to post on YouTube is in the evening.

Understanding audience behavior

Finding the best time to post on social media isn’t just about following general guidelines, it requires understanding the nuances that influence audience behavior. Here are key factors to consider:

Audience behavior by industry

The ideal posting time varies by industry. For example:

Time zones & global considerations

If your audience is spread across multiple regions, using a single posting schedule may not work. You should:

Algorithm updates & engagement trends

Social media algorithms continuously evolve, impacting how content is distributed. Staying informed of these updates can help you optimize your posting strategy. For example:

Common mistakes to avoid

Even with the best timing strategy, you can fall into common pitfalls that hinder social media success. Avoid these mistakes:

Relying solely on generic best times

General guidelines are helpful, but they shouldn’t replace data-driven decisions. Always analyze your own engagement metrics to refine your posting schedule.

Each platform has unique user behavior patterns. What works on Instagram might not work on Twitter. Tailor your posting times and content formats accordingly.

Posting too much or too little

Neglecting audience interaction

Engagement doesn’t stop after posting. Failing to respond to comments, messages, and shares can make you seem unapproachable. Actively engaging with followers helps build community and trust.

How to maximize reach and engagement

While posting at the right time can increase visibility, engagement ultimately depends on content quality and interaction. Here’s how to maximize your reach:

Prioritize quality over quantity

Rather than posting frequently at suboptimal quality, focus on creating engaging, high-value content. Posts that spark conversations and shares will perform better regardless of timing or frequency.

Encourage audience participation

Now that you know the best days and times to post on social media, start brainstorming on the actual content you’ll distribute. Wondering what to post next? Get inspired with our list of 33 social media post ideas.

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https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/social-media-branding-strategy

https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/global-social-media-trends

https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/discovering-brands-on-tiktok