The Best Times to Post on Social Media: A Guide for Maximum Engagement
Timing is everything when it comes to social media success. Posting at the right moment can mean the difference between a post that goes viral and one that gets buried in the feed. But when exactly should you be hitting that “publish” button?
In this guide, we’ll break down the best times to post on different social media platforms to maximise your reach and engagement.
Why Posting Time Matters
Social media algorithms prioritise engagement. The more interactions (likes, shares, comments) a post gets early on, the more likely it is to be shown to a wider audience. Posting when your target audience is most active increases the chances of your content being seen, interacted with, and shared.
Different industries and audiences have unique habits, so while these times provide a general guideline, it’s essential to test and refine your strategy based on your own analytics.
Best Times to Post on Each Social Media Platform
📘 Facebook
✅ Best Days: Tuesday – Thursday
⏰ Best Times: 9 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 3 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Evenings after 8 PM
Facebook engagement is highest during mid-morning and early afternoon when people take breaks or scroll during lunch. Weekends tend to have lower engagement, except for special promotions or event-related posts.
🐦 X (Twitter)
✅ Best Days: Monday – Thursday
⏰ Best Times: 8 AM – 10 AM, 6 PM – 9 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Late night
X (Twitter) is fast-paced, and peak times are when people check news updates in the morning and during their commute home. Engaging with trending topics in real-time also boosts visibility.
📷 Instagram
✅ Best Days: Monday – Friday
⏰ Best Times: 7 AM – 9 AM, 11 AM – 1 PM, 6 PM – 9 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Mid-afternoon (2 PM – 4 PM)
Instagram engagement peaks in the early morning when people wake up, during lunch breaks, and in the evening when they relax. Stories and Reels often perform well later in the evening too.
💼 LinkedIn
✅ Best Days: Tuesday – Thursday
⏰ Best Times: 7 AM – 9 AM, 12 PM – 2 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Weekends
As a professional platform, LinkedIn sees the most activity during work hours, particularly at the start of the day and lunchtime when people browse industry updates. Avoid posting on Fridays and weekends, as engagement significantly drops.
🎥 TikTok
✅ Best Days: Tuesday – Saturday
⏰ Best Times: 6 AM – 10 AM, 7 PM – 11 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Midday
TikTok audiences are highly active in the mornings before work/school and in the evenings. Weekend engagement is also strong, making it a great platform for brands targeting younger audiences.
📌 Pinterest
✅ Best Days: Friday – Sunday
⏰ Best Times: 8 PM – 11 PM
🚫 Worst Time: Work hours
Pinterest is popular for weekend planning, DIY projects, and shopping inspiration. Posting in the evenings when users are relaxed and browsing works best.
How to Find the Best Posting Time for YOUR Audience
While these guidelines provide a great starting point, every business and audience is unique. Here’s how to refine your timing:
✔ Check Platform Analytics: Social media platforms provide insights into when your followers are most active.
✔ A/B Testing: Experiment with different posting times and track performance.
✔ Understand Your Audience: B2B audiences are more active during work hours, while B2C engagement is higher in the evenings.
✔ Consistency Matters: Posting at consistent times helps train your audience to expect your content.
Let Buzz Design Take Your Social Media to the Next Level
Understanding the best posting times is just one piece of the digital marketing puzzle. At Buzz Design, we specialise in social media strategy, content creation, and engagement to help businesses thrive online.