Demystifying the Myth: The Best Times to Post on Social Media

Although the internet is always active, there are specific times when engagement on social media peaks. Generally, the optimal times to post are between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday, with some variations depending on the platform.

For marketers, Facebook remains the top choice, with peak engagement during mid-mornings on weekdays. Instagram sees high engagement from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, extending to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. LinkedIn, with its professional focus, sees peak activity during midday on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. TikTok, the newest major platform, has its highest engagement on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m., and mid-mornings on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Understanding these peak times can help your social media team effectively plan and execute a successful strategy. With over 5 billion users globally, social media offers vast opportunities for businesses of all sizes across various industries. Social media’s impact now extends beyond brand awareness to include customer experience, sales, product development, and marketing.

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Analyzing trends from over 34,000 customers reveals the most and least engaging times by platform and industry. For detailed platform-specific optimal engagement times, refer to our guides on:

• Best times to post on Facebook in 2024
• Best times to post on Instagram in 2024
• Best times to post on LinkedIn in 2024
• Best times to post on TikTok in 2024
• Best times to post on X (formerly Twitter) in 2024

Use this data to inform your publishing calendar. To find your best times to post globally, try a social media management tool with a feature like ViralPost® to test with your social profiles.

Disclaimer: The data includes users from various plans, industries, and locations. All times are recorded globally, so you should see positive engagement regardless of your time zone. Engagement numbers reflect total interactions during each hour. We recommend testing with your own accounts to find the most optimal times.

Best Times to Post on Social Media

According to the analysis of nearly 2 billion engagements across 400,000 profiles, the best times to post are:

• Mondays: 11 a.m. to noon
• Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fridays: 10 to 11 a.m.

Best days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Worst days: Sundays

Each social channel has its unique benefits depending on your goals, campaigns, content type, and target audience. Revisiting your social media KPIs can help you align your strategy with these insights. If increasing engagement is a goal, knowing the best days and times to post can be invaluable.

While Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. generally see the highest engagement across most platforms, it’s essential to consider other variables before scheduling posts.

Best Time to Post on Social Media in the UK

In the UK, the best times to post are Tuesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Weekday mornings are effective for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, while TikTok and Pinterest see higher engagement in the afternoons. Remember, industry, content, and goals also influence the optimal posting times for your business.

Best Times to Post on Facebook

• Mondays: 9 a.m. to noon
• Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Fridays: 9 to 11 a.m.

Best days: Mondays through Thursdays
Worst days: Sundays

Facebook remains the most used platform for marketers, with 89% usage and 3.05 billion monthly active users. Engagement peaks during mid-mornings on weekdays, aligning with business hours. Optimal times are from 9 a.m. to early afternoon, making these hours ideal for scheduling posts to reach your target audience.

With a solid Facebook marketing strategy, businesses can connect with their audience, share product information, and offer exclusive deals. Engagement depends on both the frequency and content of your posts.

Best Times to Post on Instagram

• Mondays: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Fridays: 11 a.m.

Best days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Worst days: Sundays

Instagram, used by 80% of marketers, ties with Facebook for the highest ROI at 29%. The platform continues to evolve, offering e-commerce and seamless user experiences. Reels, in particular, generate more engagement than static posts.

Optimal posting times are generally weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., extending to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Test these benchmarks against your metrics to refine your strategy.

Instagram, with 2 billion monthly users, supports diverse content types like images, videos, Reels, and live streams. Collaborating with other brands and leveraging its e-commerce features can enhance your strategy. Consistently posting high-quality content that engages your audience is key to success on Instagram.

Best Times to Post on LinkedIn

Optimal Times for LinkedIn Company Pages:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Thursdays: 10 a.m.

Best Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Worst Days: Weekends

LinkedIn engagement peaks during business hours, particularly around midday. Weekends see a significant drop in activity, making them less ideal for posting. Since LinkedIn content typically revolves around professional topics and career development, engagement is highest during the working day. To maximize visibility and interaction, post on LinkedIn during these peak times.

LinkedIn serves as a platform for professional storytelling and advocacy, allowing users to share expertise, spark conversations, and elevate professional voices globally. With over 1 billion members in 200 countries, LinkedIn offers numerous business opportunities, from lead generation to talent acquisition.

Best Times to Post on Pinterest

Optimal Times for Pinterest:

• Tuesdays through Fridays: 1 a.m.
• Thursdays: 3 a.m.

Best Days: Weekdays
Worst Days: Weekends

Pinterest engagement has shifted to the early morning hours. While known for DIY projects and inspiration, Pinterest also offers significant opportunities for brand awareness and community expansion. Posting at peak times can help tap into these benefits.

Best Times to Post on TikTok

Optimal Times for TikTok:

• Tuesdays: 4 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 to 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
• Fridays: 4 to 6 p.m.

Best Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Worst Days: Sundays

TikTok’s engagement is highest in the afternoons, especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays. With over 1.5 billion active users, TikTok trends evolve quickly. Understanding and leveraging these trends can enhance your content strategy.

Best Times to Post on X (formerly Twitter)

Optimal Times for X:

• Mondays: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesdays through Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fridays: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Best Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Worst Days: Sundays

X, known for real-time conversations and breaking news, sees peak engagement extending into weekday afternoons. Posting during these times can help align with trending topics and maximize reach.