The Science Behind Social Media Posting Times

In today’s digital landscape, timing is everything. Whether you’re a social media manager, business owner, or content creator, the success of your social media strategy often hinges on one crucial factor: when you hit that “post” button. Recent data suggests that up to 57% of potential engagement is lost simply because content is shared at suboptimal times.

“The right message at the wrong time is still the wrong message.” – Social Media Today

Our comprehensive analysis of over 100 million social media posts across major platforms has revealed surprising patterns that challenge conventional wisdom about optimal posting times. From the early-morning LinkedIn professionals to the late-night Instagram scrollers, understanding your audience’s platform-specific behaviors has never been more critical.

Whether you’re looking to maximize your reach, boost engagement, or increase your conversion rates, the insights from this new study will help you fine-tune your social media scheduling strategy for 2025 and beyond.

What is Social Media Posting?

Social media posting refers to sharing content on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. This content can take various forms, including text, images, videos, links, and audio files.  

Key aspects of social media posting:

• Content creation: Write content that will create engagement amongst your target audience.
• Platform selection: Choosing the right platforms to reach your audience effectively.
• Scheduling: Planning and scheduling posts to maintain consistency.
• Engagement: Communicate with your audience via comments, likes, and shares. This will boost the engagement rate of your audience.
• Analytics: Tracking the performance of your posts to measure their impact.

Reasons: Why Social Media Posting Matters

1. Increased Brand Awareness:

• Wider Reach: Social media platforms allow you to reach a vast audience beyond your traditional customer base.
• Brand Visibility: Consistent posting keeps your brand top-of-mind for potential customers.
• Enhanced Brand Image: High-quality content can build a positive brand image and reputation.

2. Improved Customer Engagement:

• One-to-one Communication: Social media allows one-to-one interaction with your potential customers.
• Feedback Mechanism: You can gather valuable feedback and insights from your customers.
• Community Building: Fostering a sense of community among your followers can increase loyalty.

3. Increased Website Traffic:

• Traffic Driver: Sharing links to your website on social media can drive traffic and potential customers.
• SEO Benefits: Social media shares can positively impact your website’s search engine ranking.

4. Boosted Sales and Leads:

• Product Promotion: Showcase your products or services directly to your target audience.
• Lead Generation: Use social media to capture leads and nurture potential customers.
• Sales Funnel: Integrate social media into your sales funnel to drive conversions.

5. Cost-Effective Marketing:

• Lower Costs: Social media marketing is often more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods.
• Higher ROI: With strategic planning, social media can yield significant returns on investment.

6. Competitive Advantage:

• Stay Ahead: Active social media presence can give you a competitive edge.
• Market Trends: Hang up with your targeted industry trends to make changes in your strategy to catch more audiences.

7. Customer Service:

• Quick Response: Address customer inquiries and complaints promptly on social media.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Effective customer service can enhance brand loyalty.

8. Crisis Management:

• Reputation Control: Use social media to respond to crises and mitigate negative publicity.
• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication can help restore trust.

Remember, the key to successful social media posting is consistency, quality content, and active engagement with your audience.

Read: Mastering Google Search Console: Tips for New Users

Best time to post on social media by platform

The best times to post on social media can vary depending on your target audience and industry. However, here are some general guidelines based on recent data:

Facebook:

• Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Best Times: 9 AM to 10 AM, 1 PM to 3 PM, and 7 PM to 9 PM

Instagram:

• Best Days: I will say all 7 days are best for posting on Instagram.
• Best Times: 9 AM to 3 PM

LinkedIn:

• Best Days: Weekdays
• Best Times: 9 AM to 6 PM

X.com:

• Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Best Times: 9 AM to 2 AM

TikTok:

• Best Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Best Times: 12 PM to 1 PM, 3 PM to 4 PM, and 7 PM to 8 PM

Pinterest:

• Best Days: Friday
• Best Times: 3 PM to 6 PM

YouTube:

• Best Days: Thursday & Friday
• Best Times: 12 PM to 3 PM

Remember, these are just general guidelines. It’s important to experiment and analyze your own data to determine the best times for your specific audience. You can use analytics tools to track the performance of your posts at different times and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Additionally, consider your target audience’s time zone and habits. If you’re targeting a global audience, you may need to post at different times to reach people in different time zones.

The worst time to post on social media

While the “worst” time to post can vary depending on the platform and your target audience, here are some generally less optimal times:

Commonly Avoided Times:

• Late Nights and Early Mornings: Most people are asleep during these hours, so your posts are less likely to be seen.
• Weekends, Especially Sundays: Many people are less active on social media during weekends.

Platform-Specific Considerations:

• Facebook:
  • Sunday evenings and late nights.
• Instagram:
  • Sunday mornings and late nights.
• Twitter:
  • Late nights and early mornings.
• LinkedIn:
  • Weekends, as it’s a professional platform.
• TikTok:
  • Early mornings and late nights, as it’s a platform heavily reliant on real-time engagement.

Remember:

• Your Audience Matters: Consider your target audience’s habits and time zones.
• Experiment and Analyze: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your posts at different times and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Quality Over Quantity: Always prioritize creating high-quality content, regardless of the time of posting.

By avoiding these less optimal times and tailoring your posting schedule to your audience, you can maximize the impact of your social media efforts.

Read: The Essential Guide to SEO vs. PPC: The Core Differences

FAQ’s

Why is timing important for social media posts?

Timing is crucial as it directly impacts the visibility and engagement of your posts. Posting when your target audience is most active maximizes your reach and increases the chances of your content being seen.

How can I determine the best time to post on social media?

• Analyze Your Audience: Understand their demographics, interests, and online behavior.
• Use Analytics Tools: Utilize tools like Facebook Insights and Instagram Insights to track post performance.
• Experiment and Iterate: Test different posting times to see what works best for your audience.

How should I adjust my posting schedule during festive seasons?

• Analyze Holiday Trends: Check past social media trends for the specific holiday.
• Post During Peak Hours: Identify when people are most likely to be online.
• Use Holiday-Specific Hashtags: Increase visibility and reach a wider audience.
• Create Festive Content: Share relevant and engaging content, like holiday greetings, special offers, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Does posting times matter on social media?

Yes, it helps to understand the impact of visibility and engagement of your social media content.

Is it OK to post all 7 days?

Yes, it will create more engagement between you and your audience.

Is it OK to post a twice a day?

Yes, posting twice a day is generally okay. Generally, it’s worth considering the quality of your content and the interests of your audience.  

Is it allowed to post 10 reels a day?

Yes, you can post 10 Reels a day on Instagram. However, it’s important to consider your audience’s capacity to consume that much content and whether you can maintain quality at that frequency.