When is the best time to post on social media
The best measure for when to post on social media is to use your platform’s analytics to find when your specific audience is most active. While general best times exist for each platform (often mornings and lunch breaks), they are only a starting point. You should also factor in your industry, time zones, and current trends, and then experiment to see what works best for your own account.
How to determine the best time to post
- Check your own analytics: Use the built-in analytics on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to see when your specific followers are online.
- Use platform-specific guidelines as a starting point:
- Facebook: Weekdays during business hours (approx. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) show high engagement, not just a single “golden hour”.
- X (Twitter): Generally best in the morning, particularly 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Mondays and 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. on other weekdays.
- LinkedIn: Peaks in the middle of the work week (Tues-Thurs), with optimal times from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m..
- Instagram: Often has high engagement in the early morning (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.), midday (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.), and evening (5 p.m. – 6 p.m.).
- Consider your industry and content type:
- A B2B tech company may find success during business hours, while a lifestyle brand might perform better in the evenings.
- Written content may do well in the morning, while videos might get more engagement in the afternoon.
- Don’t forget about time zones: If you have a global audience, consider how different time zones affect when your followers are online.
- Stay flexible and test: Based on your specific audience’s behavior, you may find that afternoon or evening times work best, even if general guidelines suggest otherwise. Experiment with different times and monitor your results to find what works best for your account.
