Best Time to Post on Social Media Platforms

As with most things in life, timing is everything! When you post online, knowing when to ensure your content gets seen, liked, and shared is essential. But the “best time” isn’t the same for every platform and everyone—it depends on your audience’s location, habits, and preferences. Below is a list of social media platforms and roughly what days and times are best. These are just rough guidelines, and we always recommend doing your own testing to see what works best for your audience.

Best Time to Post on TikTok

Best Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 10 AM to 1 PM
Why It Works:

• TikTok users are active during mid-morning breaks and lunch hours.
• Tuesdays through Thursdays generally see higher engagement than weekends when TikTok usage dips slightly.

TikTok thrives on short, binge-able content. Using TikTok Analytics, test various times and analyze which slot your audience prefers. Remember, time zones matter—post according to your target audience’s local time.

Best Time to Post on Instagram

Best Time: Weekdays, 7 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 6 PM
Why It Works:

• Instagram sees peak activity before and after work hours.
• Monday and Wednesday mornings are golden because people check their feeds as soon as they wake up.

Instagram caters to visual content, so timing posts when users can scroll through engaging photos and reels maximizes reach. For Instagram Stories, posting early keeps you at the top of their feed all day.

Best Time to Post on Facebook

Best Time: Weekdays, 1 PM to 3 PM
Why It Works:

• Facebook users scroll during lunch breaks or mid-afternoon lulls.
• Weekdays generally outperform weekends for professional or informative content.

Facebook has a large, diverse user base. If your audience spans multiple locations, use Facebook Insights to tailor your posting schedule accordingly.

Best Time to Post on X (Twitter)

Best Time: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 10 AM
Why It Works:

• X (Twitter) is often the first stop for breaking news and trending topics in the morning.
• Engaging tweets are more likely to go viral when users check in during breakfast or commuting hours.

Consistent tweeting throughout the day also works well on Twitter. Use tools like T.LY’s URL shortener to track clicks on your links and optimize timing.

Best Time to Post on LinkedIn

Best Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 7 AM to 9 AM
Why It Works:

• Professionals check LinkedIn in the morning before starting their workday.
• Mid-week posts perform better as Mondays are busy, and Fridays lose engagement.

LinkedIn thrives on high-value, professional content. Posting during working hours aligns with its career-focused audience.

Best Time to Post on Pinterest

Best Time: Weekends, 8 PM to 11 PM
Why It Works:

• Pinterest users search for ideas and inspiration during their free time, especially on weekends.
• Late evenings work best as people plan for the week ahead.

Pinterest Analytics can pinpoint which pins resonate most with your audience and when they engage.

Best Time to Post on YouTube

Best Times to Post: 12 PM to 4 PM on weekdays and weekends.

Why?
YouTube users watch videos during their lunch breaks or later in the evening. Posting in the early afternoon allows YouTube’s algorithm time to index your videos so they are ready for prime-time viewing in the evening.

Pro Tip: Focus on creating evergreen video content that delivers consistent views over time. Use link shorteners like T.LY in video descriptions to track clicks and conversions.

Best Time to Post on Threads

Best Times to Post: 9 AM to 11 AM and 7 PM to 9 PM.

Why?
Threads is still relatively new but shows activity patterns similar to Instagram. Users are active during morning breaks and in the evenings after work. Casual, text-based updates resonate well, making mid-morning ideal for engagement.

Pro Tip: Keep your updates short, conversational, and visually engaging.

Factors That Influence Posting Times

While these general recommendations can guide you, the real “best time” depends on your audience:

1. Time Zone: Schedule posts in your target users’ local time.
2. Audience Behavior: Analyze when your followers engage most.
3. Content Type: Videos, photos, and links can perform differently at various times.

Test and Optimize Posting Times

Use each platform’s analytics tools to monitor engagement. For link tracking, a tool like T.LY URL Shortener can help you measure clicks and identify what’s working. Based on the data, adjust your strategy.

Posting at the right time doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives your content the best chance to shine. Find what works for your audience and stay consistent.