What’s the Best Time to Post in Each Social Media Platform?

There’s a key part of your social media strategy you may not have thought much about: when to post on your platforms. Data plays a huge role here—giving you the ability to use data analytics tools or other data insights to fine-tune your publishing schedules so you can ensure your content is reaching your customers at the right time for maximum engagement. Not only does this help boost your brand’s visibility, but it also helps you connect more deeply with your audience.

Of course, the best days and times to post aren’t the same across your platforms. What works well when you post on Instagram or make a post on Reddit might get little to no engagement on LinkedIn. Plus, because your business targets a unique audience, you need to find that sweet spot to really connect with them during posting times that align with their schedules.

Tons of research has been done on hundreds—if not thousands—of social media posts across platforms. From this research, experts have been able to determine the best times as well as the worst times to post on social media in 2024. That research has given organizations valuable insights into how to improve their social media presence and boost awareness of their brands on TiKTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms.

To help you improve your social media presence and marketing strategy on each of your social media channels, we’ll discuss the best day and time to post on Instagram, Tiktok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media platforms to maximize engagement.

When is the Best Times To Post on Social Media? A Look at Each Social Media Platform

Every social media platform is different. Each one is made up of different algorithms that determine how well content performs. The inner workings of each platform and its algorithms have a huge impact on the best times to post on them. We’ll look at six popular social media platforms, how they work, and their algorithms, giving you a better understanding of the different times to take advantage of when you post on social media.

Best Time To Post on TikTok

Only two years after its creation, TikTok was the most downloaded social media app in the U.S., with download rates of over 220 million. Currently, the platform has over 1.1 billion users worldwide.

TikTok continues to revolutionize the social media landscape with its unique algorithm, which, in its recency, prioritizes user engagement and content discovery. In 2024, the streaming platform enhanced its algorithm to analyze viewer behavior better and give tailored recommendations on how long users engage with videos. This means you can create more captivating content that hooks your viewers from the start. Plus, the platform’s focus on authenticity and creativity remains strong, with the algorithm rewarding genuine, relatable content that resonates more deeply with your audience.

When it comes to posting on TikTok, experts have identified key times during the week when users are most engaged. Here’s a look at the best times each day to post on the video platform:

• Mondays: 10 a.m.
• Tuesdays: 4-6 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to noon and 2-6 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9-11 a.m. and 2-7 p.m.
• Fridays: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In many cases, posting mid morning is a good idea to connect with people waking up for the day or taking early lunch breaks at work. The worst days to post on TikTok, according to the schedule above, are Sundays, a day when users hardly engage on the platform. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the ideal times as user rates are higher. Keep these times in mind when planning out your social media calendar.

The Best Days and Times to Post on Instagram

Instagram’s algorithm also plays a part in the best time to post. The algorithm has moved beyond engagement metrics to consider more deeply user behavior and preferences. Instagram prioritizes quality and consistency when posting. Keeping your content aligned with users’ interests, along with the use of relevant hashtags and engaging stories, helps you to increase your reach. The platform also rewards those who foster genuine connections with their followers, boosting your organic growth and brand visibility. As you schedule your posts with a scheduling tool like Sprout Social, keep the best and worst times in mind.

Timing is just as important on Instagram. For 2024, the best times to post with your scheduling tool include:

• Mondays: Mid-morning to mid-afternoon (between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
• Tuesdays: Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays: Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursdays: Mid-morning to mid-afternoon (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

When planning your Instagram strategy, keep in mind the best times to post. The best days to set up social media scheduling for are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, as these days show higher engagement, with users being more active during work breaks or downtime. Sundays, on the other hand, are the worst days to post as user activity tends to drop, making it harder for you to reach your audience.

Best Time To Post on Facebook

When it comes to Facebook, the best time to post varies throughout the week. But first, it’s important to understand how the platform’s algorithm has shifted. The algorithm prioritizes meaningful interactions over mere likes, focusing on content that sparks conversations among users. This means you need to engage authentically with your audience to boost your chances of getting seen. Plus, Facebook is increasingly using AI to personalize feeds, making it critical to create more meaningful content that’s tailored to your users.

With the information above in mind, here’s the most opportune times to post content on Facebook:

• Mondays: 8 a.m. to noon
• Tuesdays: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fridays: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Looking at the schedule above, the most opportune days to post on Facebook are Mondays through Thursdays. These are the most reliable days where you’ll have the best chance of reaching your audience. Similar to Instagram, Sundays are the worst time to post on Facebook, as people shift their focus away from social media, making it harder for your content to get noticed.

Best Time To Post on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a bit more tricky in terms of timing as the platform has adjusted its algorithm to foster more professional networking and knowledge sharing. The platform also emphasizes high-quality content and engagement within professional communities. For example, the algorithm pays more attention to posts that generate discussions and encourage interaction among industry peers.

If you’re looking to thrive on Linkedin, you need to share valuable insights at just the right time. Be sure to keep these times in mind as you’re creating your LinkedIn posting strategy:

• Mondays: 11 a.m.
• Tuesdays: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m.
• Thursdays: 2 p.m.
• Fridays: 8 p.m.

The best days to post on LinkedIn are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, as these mid-week days tend to see more activity from professionals looking to network or search for learning opportunities. Not surprisingly, weekends are the worst time to post, as engagement drops significantly when most people are off work and away from the platform.

By keeping your LinkedIn posts aligned with these prime times, you can avoid low-traffic periods and improve your chances of connecting with your audience.

When is the Best Time to Post on Twitter?

Twitter has become more refined since its creation and now uses machine learning to curate users’ feeds based on their interactions and interests. Now, the platform focuses on showing Twitter users the most relevant tweets first, which means you need to craft compelling, timely content that captures users’ attention quickly. Additionally, Twitter places more emphasis on trending topics, meaning you need to stay updated and engaged in conversations that really matter.

With that in mind, be sure you’re tweeting at the right time. Here’s the ideal times to post on Twitter in 2024:

• Mondays: Between 7 a.m. and noon
• Tuesdays: Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays: Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Thursdays: Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Fridays: Between 9 a.m. to noon

As the schedule above suggests, the best days to post content on Twitter are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Similar to other social media platforms, Sundays aren’t the best day to publish content as interaction rates and traffic are typically lower.

Best Times To Post on Pinterest

Finally, there’s Pinterest. The platform has made huge strides in improving its algorithm to better serve users’ interests and preferences. In 2024, Pinterest will focus on enhancing visual search capabilities and personalizing recommendations based on user behavior. What this shift means is that you need to prioritize creating visually appealing pins on your Pinterest boards. They should align with current trends and user interest. Plus, by using rich visuals and engaging descriptions, you can quickly capture the interest of users looking for inspiration on Pinterest.

The pinning platform also has optimum posting times:

• Mondays: 10 a.m.
• Tuesdays: 12 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 10 a.m.
• Thursdays: 6 p.m.
• Fridays: 12 p.m.

Weekdays are typically the best days to post on Pinterest as many individuals tend to browse the platform during their work breaks or throughout the day. Weekends, on the other hand, are not the best time to post as user activity typically drops as people focus on offline activities or existing projects.

Finding Your Opportune Posting Times for Your Social Media Channels

Here’s the bottom line: finding the ideal time to post on social media channels isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—it requires research and experimentation. General guidelines can give you a good starting point, but the real magic happens when you dive into your own analytics.

Every social media platform includes analytics that helps you understand your audience better. You can also use these insights to refine your social media posting schedule.

For example, with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you’ll have access to valuable analytics that help you understand exactly who your audience is. Using data like gender, age, location, etc., you can adjust your content and timing to more effectively target your audience. If you find your followers are young professionals in a specific time zone, you’ll want to post when they’re on their lunch breaks or winding down after work.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to test different posting times and track their performance. Look at metrics such as likes, shares, comments, or saves so you can identify patterns and adjust your social media strategy accordingly. Remember, social media is dynamic—what works today might change tomorrow. Keeping an eye on your analytics will help you stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your content gets the attention it deserves.

Maximize Your Impact: The Power of Timing in Your Social Media Posting

Posting your content at the right time in your time zone, on weekdays or weekends, can completely change how you connect with your audience, leading to increased engagement and, ultimately, sales. Knowing who your target audience is and when they’re most active allows you to adjust your schedule accordingly, maximizing the impact of your content and fostering stronger relationships with your customers.

With Podium, this process is also incredibly easy. Podium’s AI-powered lead conversion platform helps you effortlessly communicate with customers—anytime, anywhere. Additionally, our AI Reputation Specialist allows you to expand your visibility on social media platforms like Facebook with more positive reviews and quickly gathers and responds to reviews, helping you get more attention on the platform. And with all customer communication centralized in a single inbox, you can easily monitor, track feedback, and respond to all reviews and inquiries from one place.

Ready to elevate your social media strategy? Watch a free demo today to see how Podium can help your business thrive.