The best times to post to social media

This blog aims to discuss the notion that timing is everything. Knowing the best times to post to social media can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your content. Whether you're aiming to increase likes, comments, shares, or overall reach, understanding when your audience is most active on relevant social media platforms is crucial. 

Creating content and understanding your audience

When creating content, a good starting point is to consider the type of content that works best on each platform and that is relevant to your target audience. For instance, Instagram is highly visual, making it perfect for photos and short videos. TikTok thrives on creative, fast-paced videos, while LinkedIn is ideal for professional and educational content. Facebook, with its diverse user base, is versatile and accommodates a wide range of content types.

Creating content that resonates with your audience is the foundation of any successful social media strategy. However, even the most engaging content can fall flat if it's posted at the wrong time and to the wrong place. To ensure your content reaches its full potential, it's essential to understand your audience's behaviour and preferences.

Once you've created compelling content, the next step is to determine the best time to share it. Timing your posts correctly can increase their visibility, engagement, and overall effectiveness.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE - While general guidelines exist, the best time to post can vary greatly depending on your specific audience and industry. Even if there is more information available on optimal posting times for your industry, the best way to gauge when the best posting time is for your business is through trial and error. Content quality, audience consideration and thorough planning and strategy are things to focus on first and that we consider most important, however, we saw this was a frequently asked question, so decided to make a blog on the topic anyway as a guide.

Best time to post on Instagram

Instagram's algorithm favours posts that generate early engagement, meaning the timing of your posts can significantly influence their reach. While the best time to post on Instagram can vary, studies suggest that the most effective times are generally during mid-morning and mid-afternoon when users are most active.

Weekdays

The best time to post on Instagram during the weekdays is typically between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. This is for when people are starting their day, taking a break from work, or scrolling through their feed during lunch.

Weekends

On weekends, engagement tends to peak a little later in the day, between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, as users are more likely to sleep in and check their phones later in the morning.

Keep in mind that Instagram's user base is global, so it's important to consider the time zones of your target audience. If your audience is spread across different regions, you may need to experiment with different posting times to find what works best for you.

Best time to post on TikTok

TikTok's unique algorithm prioritises content that engages users quickly, making timing crucial for maximising views and interactions. The platform's audience tends to be younger and more active in the evenings, but the best time to post on TikTok can vary depending on your specific target audience.

Weekdays

The optimal times to post on TikTok during the weekdays are generally between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. This is when users are likely to be relaxing after school or work, ready to consume entertaining and engaging content.

Weekends

On weekends, posting earlier in the day, around 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, can be effective. However, evening posts, particularly around 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, also tend to perform well as users are winding down and spending time on the app.

Given TikTok's rapidly changing trends, it’s also worth experimenting with different posting times and monitoring your analytics to identify the best time to post for your specific audience.

Best time to post on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional network, so its users tend to be active during traditional working hours. The best time to post on LinkedIn aligns with the start of the workday, the lunch break, and just before the end of the workday.

Weekdays

The ideal times to post on LinkedIn are typically between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, around 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. These times coincide with the moments when professionals are preparing for their day, taking a lunch break, or wrapping up their workday.

Midweek

Posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to perform better than those on Mondays and Fridays, as users are more focused on work and professional development midweek.

LinkedIn is less active on weekends, so it’s generally advisable to concentrate your posting efforts on weekdays. Additionally, content that is educational, industry-specific, or related to career development tends to perform best on LinkedIn.

Best time to post on Facebook

Facebook's diverse user base and vast reach make it a powerful platform for brands. However, the best time to post on Facebook can vary widely depending on your audience's demographics, location, and behaviour.

Weekdays

The most effective time to post on Facebook during the weekdays is generally between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. This timeframe captures the attention of users who are likely to check their Facebook during lunch breaks or as they begin to wind down in the afternoon.

Weekends

On weekends, engagement is often higher in the late morning to early afternoon, around 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, as users catch up on their social media during their downtime.

Given Facebook's extensive reach, it's also important to consider your specific audience's time zones. If your followers are located across different regions, scheduling your posts at different times throughout the day can help maximise their visibility.

Conclusion

Understanding the best times to post to social media can help maximise the reach and engagement of your content. By aligning your posting schedule with the habits of your audience, you can significantly improve the effectiveness of your social media strategy.

Remember, while these guidelines offer a strong starting point, the best times to post can vary depending on your unique audience and industry. Regularly monitoring your social media analytics and being willing to adjust your strategy based on the data will help you find the optimal times to post for your brand.

At BuiltForYou Digital, we specialise in helping businesses develop effective social media strategies that drive results. Whether you're looking to increase engagement, boost conversions, or simply reach a wider audience, our team is here to help you succeed on social media (find more information here).