If you’re here, you’ve probably been searching for the best times to post on social media in 2024. Well, you’re in the right place. Timing your posts can have a huge impact on your engagement, whether you’re looking to increase likes, comments, or shares. The right time can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best times to post on each major platform, so you don’t have to guess anymore. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Overall Best Times to Post on Social Media in 2024
Let’s start with the general best times to post across social media. While different platforms have their own peak times, there are patterns that remain consistent. Most people tend to check their social media feeds either first thing in the morning or after work. It makes sense, right? Those are the times people have a moment to scroll through their feeds.
Best Days and Times for Engagement
Here are the best times to post in 2024:
- Best engagement hours: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Best days to post: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday usually see the most interaction.
Of course, these are just general guidelines. To get the most out of your social media strategy, it’s important to tailor your posting times for each platform. Let’s break that down next.
Best Time to Post by Platform
Each platform has its own audience and peak times, so what works on one might not work on another. Below, we’ll break down the best posting times for each major social media platform in 2024.
Facebook remains one of the most widely used platforms, and its users are active at different times compared to other networks. So, when should you post to get the most engagement on Facebook?
The best time to post on Facebook in 2024 is between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on weekdays, particularly on Tuesday and Thursday. Why? Most users tend to check their feeds during late mornings, especially around lunch breaks.
If you’re posting outside these hours, you might notice your engagement drop. Keep in mind that Facebook’s algorithm is designed to prioritize content that generates interactions, so timing really matters here.
Instagram’s audience is a little more fast-paced, and visual content thrives here. So, when’s the best time to post?
In 2024, mid-mornings and early afternoons are your sweet spots. Aim for Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The best days for engagement tend to be Wednesday and Thursday. Users love to scroll during their breaks, so catching them at this time increases the chances of your post being seen and interacted with.
LinkedIn is all about professional networking, so its peak times are naturally tied to the workday. If you’re sharing articles, job updates, or business-related content, you’ll want to post when professionals are most active.
For LinkedIn in 2024, the best times to post are Tuesday to Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. This is when people are starting their workday and checking in on industry news or job updates.
For promoting articles or ads, aim for mid-morning on weekdays—that’s when users are likely to click through and engage with your content.
Pinterest is different from other social platforms because it serves more as a visual discovery engine than a typical feed. It’s often used for planning and inspiration, which means users are active during various times.
In 2024, the best time to post on Pinterest is between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. That’s when people tend to search for ideas, whether they’re planning an event, a project, or a purchase.
TikTok
TikTok’s younger and highly engaged audience means timing can be a bit more flexible. However, there are still peak times when your content is more likely to get noticed.
The best time to post on TikTok in 2024 is between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, especially on Friday. This is when people are winding down and ready to be entertained, which is perfect for TikTok’s bite-sized, engaging videos.
X (formerly Twitter)
When it comes to X (formerly Twitter), timing your tweets is key. X’s fast-paced nature means your posts can get buried quickly, so posting at the right moment is crucial.
In 2024, the best time to post on X is between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., or 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with Wednesday being the day you’re likely to get the most engagement.
Does it matter what time you tweet? Absolutely. If your tweets don’t go out when people are most active, they could easily get lost in the feed.
YouTube
For video content on YouTube, timing plays a huge role in visibility. Posting when your audience is online increases the likelihood of your videos being recommended and shared.
The best time to post on YouTube in 2024 is between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Why? Most people are settling into their afternoons and looking for something to watch. Weekends also see higher activity, so posting on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. can work well, too.
Threads
Threads is the new kid on the block, but its fast growth means there’s already data on when to post. Since Threads is connected to Instagram, it shares similar posting habits.
For Threads in 2024, the best time to post is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday being the most active days for engagement.
Best Times to Post on Social Media by Day
Sometimes, it’s not just about which platform you’re using but which day of the week you’re posting. Different days can see varying levels of engagement depending on when users are most active. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best times to post, day by day, in 2024.
Monday
Mondays can be a little tricky. Most people are just getting back into their routines after the weekend, so engagement might be lower in the morning. However, things usually pick up by late morning and early afternoon. If you have to post on Monday, aim for around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.—when people are taking a break from work or settling into their week.
Is Monday a Bad Time to Post on Instagram?
Monday isn’t ideal for Instagram, but it’s not a lost cause either. If you need to post, aim for noon or early afternoon, when users are likely to check their phones during a break.
Tuesday
Tuesday is a much better day for social media engagement. By now, people are back in full swing and more likely to interact with your content. The best time to post on Tuesdays is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., when users are starting their day and more open to engaging with what’s on their feed.
Wednesday
If you’re looking for the absolute best day to post, Wednesday is your winner. Engagement peaks mid-week, especially between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. It’s the perfect time to share big updates, announcements, or any content you want to get maximum visibility.
Thursday
Thursday is another solid day for engagement. It comes right after Wednesday in terms of peak activity. The best time to post is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as people are still active and preparing for the weekend. It’s a good day to keep your audience engaged as the week winds down.
Friday
Fridays can go either way depending on your audience. For many, engagement dips in the afternoon as people begin shifting their focus to the weekend. The best time to post on Friday is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., before the afternoon slowdown. If your content is geared toward weekend planners, Friday morning is a great opportunity to catch them.
Saturday
Social media engagement on weekends tends to slow down, but it doesn’t mean you should avoid posting altogether. Saturdays are best for more relaxed, casual content. Posting between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. can help you reach people while they’re taking it easy and casually browsing their feeds.
Sunday
Sundays are a bit unpredictable. Some people are wrapping up their weekend, while others are getting ready for the week ahead. The best time to post on Sundays is late afternoon, around 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., when users are more likely to check their feeds before Monday kicks in.
7 Factors That Affect the Best Time to Post on Social Media
Knowing the best times to post is great, but it’s only part of the equation. To truly nail your posting strategy, you need to consider a few other factors that can directly influence when your content will perform best. Here’s what you need to focus on.
1. Your Audience
Not all audiences behave the same. Some might be active first thing in the morning, while others check social media late at night. Use your platform’s analytics to identify when your followers are most engaged and adjust your posting times accordingly. This step is essential.
2. Your Industry
Different industries have different peaks. For example, a B2B brand will likely see more engagement during work hours, whereas a fashion or entertainment brand might perform better in the evenings or on weekends. Know your industry’s patterns and post when it’s most active.
3. The Competition
Posting at the same time as your competitors might not always work in your favor. In fact, you could get buried. Look for times when your competitors aren’t posting. This can give you a window to get more visibility.
4. Time Zones
If your audience is spread across different time zones, you’ll need to account for that. Posting at 9 a.m. in your time zone may completely miss other regions. Plan your posts to cover multiple time zones so you’re reaching more people when they’re online.
5. Algorithms
Each social media platform’s algorithm plays a huge role in how your content is shown. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook favor posts that generate immediate engagement, so make sure you’re posting when your audience is actually online to trigger that early interaction.
6. Current Events
Big events or trending topics can shift attention away from your posts. If something major is happening, it’s better to wait or adjust your content to tie into the current trend. Otherwise, you risk being overlooked.
7. Testing and Adapting
There’s no magic formula. The best way to find what works for your audience is through testing. Try different times, analyze the results, and adjust accordingly. Keep testing until you know what times give you the best engagement.
How to Find Your Own Best Times to Post on Social Media
The best times to post for your brand will depend on your audience. To really get results, you need to dig into your own data. Let’s walk through how to figure out the best posting times for your social media accounts.
How Can I Monitor Social Media Engagement?
Most platforms give you the tools to track when your followers are online and when your posts are getting the most interaction. Here’s how to make use of those tools:
- Facebook Insights: Shows you when your audience is online.
- Instagram Insights: Tracks follower activity and engagement times.
- LinkedIn Analytics: Offers data on post performance and audience activity.
- X (Twitter) Analytics: Helps you understand when your tweets are getting the most reach.
- Pinterest Analytics: Lets you see when your Pins get the most attention.
Using these insights, you can adjust your posting schedule based on when your followers are most active.
Best Time to Publish: Recommended Times in Composer
If you’re using a scheduling tool, it will likely recommend the best times to post based on your audience’s previous activity. These suggestions are helpful, but you should still test and analyze on your own. Keep adjusting your schedule until you find the times that consistently bring in the best results.
Why Does the Time You Post on Social Media Matter?
Let’s get real—timing matters. You could create the best content ever, but if no one’s online when you post, it’ll just vanish. Posting at the right time means you’re catching your audience when they’re ready to engage. That means more likes, comments, shares, and the magic of the algorithm working in your favor. Social media platforms reward posts that get quick engagement by showing them to more people.
But post at the wrong time? It could be a flop. No engagement means your content could get buried before it even has a chance. So yes, timing is everything—it could be the difference between a viral post and one that goes totally unnoticed.
How Often Should You Post on Social Media?
Consistency is important, but you don’t want to overdo it. Flooding your audience with too many posts can be annoying, but going silent is just as bad.
Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown for 2024:
- Facebook: Post 1-2 times a day max. Anything more feels spammy.
- Instagram: One post a day for your feed, and 2-3 Stories for variety.
- LinkedIn: Stick to 1 post a day, and only during the workweek. People unplug here on weekends.
- Pinterest: 3-5 Pins a day. Pinterest is all about consistent discovery.
- TikTok: 1-3 posts per day, depending on how fast your content churns out. TikTok’s audience is fast-moving!
- X (Twitter): You can post more often here—aim for 3-7 tweets per day. It’s a fast-paced platform, so you can get away with it.
- YouTube: 1-2 videos per week. It’s better to focus on quality here.
Test what works for your audience. Some people need daily posts, others prefer fewer but higher-quality updates. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
How Long Does Posting on Social Media Take?
Social media might seem like quick work, but we all know it’s a bit more involved than that. From coming up with the content to actually hitting “post,” there’s a lot that enters into it. Here’s a breakdown of how long the process really takes:
- Content Creation: This takes the most time. Whether you’re designing, writing, or shooting videos, expect it to eat up anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how detailed your content is.
- Scheduling Posts: Save time by using tools like Buffer or Hootsuite. Once your content is ready, scheduling posts for the week will take about 30 minutes to an hour. It’s a lifesaver when it comes to hitting those optimal times.
- Engaging with Your Audience: Don’t forget the engagement side of things. You need to respond to comments, DMs, and keep the conversation going. Depending on how active your audience is, this could take 10 minutes or stretch to an hour daily.
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