For marketers, business owners, and content creators alike, one question always comes up in the changing world of social media: “When is the best time to post to get the most engagement?” * This question can make the difference between a post that gets a lot of likes, shares, and comments and one that doesn’t get any attention at all. As a top blog writer who has been through these waters for years, I can tell you that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you have the most up-to-date information and a plan, you can make a big difference on social media.
This in-depth guide will be your go-to source for learning about the subtleties of social media timing. We’ll look into the best times to post on each major platform in 2025, using recent research and expert opinion as our guide. But that’s not all we’ll do. We’ll also talk about how to make a strong engagement strategy and a unique post schedule that works for your specific audience and goals. So, get out your notebook, and let’s change your social media presence from boring to magnetic.
Why the timing of your social media posts is more important than ever
Before we get into the details of posting times, it’s important to understand why this part is so important to your success. In the age of algorithmic feeds, when content is chosen for each user, timing is an important factor that shows platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok that something is relevant.
If you post when a lot of your audience is online and scrolling, you are more likely to get immediate engagement. This first wave of interaction lets the platform’s algorithm know that your content is interesting and useful, which makes it show your post to even more people. This makes things snowball, where more engagement leads to more reach and interaction.
On the other hand, if you post when most of your audience is offline, your content will probably get lost in their feeds by the time they log on. By that time, it’s up against a lot of newer posts, which makes it less visible and less likely to get people to interact with it.
A post at the right time can lead to:
- More Reach and Impressions: More people will see your content.
- Higher Engagement Rates: You’ll get more likes, comments, shares, and saves.
- Better Brand Awareness: Being seen all the time keeps your brand in people’s minds.
- Building a Stronger Community: Talking to your audience in real time helps them feel like they are part of a community.
- More Likely to Convert: More engagement usually means more leads and sales for businesses.
Let’s look at the best times to post on each of the major social media sites in 2025.
The Best Times to Post on Instagram in 2025
With more than 2 billion active users every month, Instagram is still a visual powerhouse. Your posting schedule needs to be smart in order to get the attention of this huge audience. Here’s the most recent information on when to post on Instagram to get the most likes and comments.
Best Times to Post on Instagram (EST):
- Mondays: 6 AM, 10 AM, and 10 PM
- Tuesdays: 2 AM, 4 AM, and 9 AM
- Wednesdays: 7 AM, 8 AM, and 11 PM
- Thursdays: 9 AM, 12 PM, and 7 PM
- Fridays at 5 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
- Saturdays: 11 AM, 7 PM, and 8 PM
- Sundays: 7 AM, 8 AM, and 4 PM
Later’s analysis of millions of posts shows that early mornings and evenings are often the best times to get people to interact. This is when most people are getting up, going to work, or getting ready for bed.
Sprout Social’s research gives a slightly different but related view that stresses how important the work week is:
- Best Days: Wednesdays and Tuesdays
- Best Times: Weekdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Times to Post on Instagram by Industry:
Depending on your field, the best time to post on Instagram can also change a lot. Here are some things that different studies have found:
- B2C Businesses: 8 AM, 1 PM, and 9 PM
- B2B Businesses: 12 PM to 1 PM, 5 PM to 6 PM, and 8 PM to 9 PM
- Healthcare: 6 AM to 9 AM and 12 PM to 2 PM
- Media and Entertainment: 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM
- Retail: Weekdays at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
- Technology: Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Helpful Hints for When to Post on Instagram:
- Use Instagram Insights: The data you have about your own audience is the most valuable thing you have. Go to your professional dashboard, then “Insights,” and “Total Followers.” To see when your followers are most active, scroll down to “Most Active Times.” This will show you a daily and hourly breakdown of when they are on the platform.
- Try out Reels and Stories: The best times to post Reels and Stories might not be the same as the best times to post to your feed. Try out different time slots and see how well each format does.
- Think About Time Zones: If your audience is all over the world, you’ll need to either post at times that work for people in multiple time zones or use a scheduling tool that lets you post at the best time for each area.
- Get involved right away after posting: Answer comments and direct messages as soon as you get them. This makes people want to interact more and tells the algorithm that your post is getting people talking.
Check out our article on The Art of Instagram Storytelling for more information on how to make a successful Instagram strategy.
The Best Times to Post on Facebook in 2025
Facebook is still a major player in the world of social media, even though newer platforms are becoming more popular. To cut through the noise, it’s important to find the best times to post, since the site has a wide range of users.
Best Times to Post on Facebook in General (EST):
- Mondays: 8 AM to 1 PM
- Tuesdays: 8 AM to 2 PM
- Wednesdays: 8 AM to 3 PM
- Thursdays: 8 AM to 1 PM
- Fridays: 8 AM to 11 AM
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Sundays: 9 AM to 11 AM
Sprout Social says that mid-mornings on weekdays are always good times for people to interact with Facebook. People are probably taking a break from work or catching up on their feeds at this time.
According to Metricool’s data, the best times to post on Facebook are between 12 PM and 2 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Posting Times on Facebook by Industry:
- B2C Businesses: 9 AM to 10 AM, 12 PM to 1 PM, and 4 PM to 5 PM
- B2B Businesses: 9 AM to 3 PM and 4 PM on weekdays
- School: 8 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM on weekdays
- Healthcare: 6 AM to 7 AM, 9 AM, and 11 AM to 12 PM
- Media Companies: 7 AM, 11 AM, and 6 PM
- Nonprofits: Weekdays from 9 AM to 11 AM
Useful Advice for Your Facebook Posting Schedule:
- Use Facebook Business Suite: This powerful tool gives you detailed information about what your audience is doing. Use the “Insights” tab to find the best times for you to post.
- Try Out Different Types of Content: Video content, especially Facebook Live and Reels, usually gets more interaction than static posts. Try out different formats at different times to see what works.
- – Focus on Community-Building Content: Ask questions, run polls, and encourage users to make content to get people talking and get them more involved.
- Don’t Forget About Weekends: Weekdays are usually more active, but don’t completely ignore weekends. Try posting on Saturday and Sunday mornings to see how your audience reacts.
The Best Times to Post on X (Formerly Twitter) in 2025
X is all about talking to people in real time and getting the latest news. Tweets have a very short lifespan, so timing is very important for getting people to see and interact with them.
Best Times to Post on X (EST):
- Mondays: 9 AM to 12 PM
- Tuesdays: 10 AM to 2 PM
- Wednesdays: 9 AM to 3 PM
- Thursdays: 10 AM to 2 PM
- Fridays: 10 AM to 1 PM
- Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM
- Sundays: 12 PM
According to LitCommerce’s research, the best times for X engagement during the workweek are mid-mornings and early afternoons. This is when people usually take breaks and look for quick updates.
According to Metricool’s study, the best time to post on X is at 9 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This shows that there is a strong audience in the evening as well.
X Posting Times for Each Industry:
- B2B Brands: Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM
- B2C Brands: Saturdays and Wednesdays, with the most activity in the early afternoon.
- Media and Journalism: Every weekday from 8 AM to 1 PM, with real-time posting for breaking news.
- Technology: Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Useful Tips for Your X Post Schedule:
- Post More Often: Because X moves so quickly, it’s usually best to post more often than on other platforms. Try to tweet 3 to 5 times a day.
- Use X Analytics: Your built-in analytics will tell you when your followers are most active. Use this information to plan when you will post.
- Get Involved in Trending Conversations: Use popular hashtags and join in on trending topics to get more people to see your posts.
- Plan Your Content Ahead of Time: Use a social media scheduling tool to stay active on X even when you’re not online.
The Best Times to Post on LinkedIn in 2025
For professional networking, B2B marketing, and thought leadership, LinkedIn is the best place to go. As a result, the best times to post are very similar to the times when people are at work.
Best Times to Post on LinkedIn (CST):
- Tuesdays: From 10 AM to 12 PM
- Wednesdays: 10 AM to 12 PM
- Thursdays: 10 AM to 12 PM
Sprout Social’s research shows that mid-mornings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best times to post. This is when most professionals are working and reading or watching things related to their field.
Buffer’s analysis backs this up, showing that the most engagement happens on weekdays between 9 AM and 12 PM.
The Worst Times to Post on LinkedIn:
- Weekends: People stop working on the weekends, so engagement drops a lot.
- After 5 PM: Most users have gone to bed for the night.
Useful Advice for Your LinkedIn Posting Schedule:
- Share Value-Driven Content: To show that you know what you’re talking about and get people interested, share case studies, industry insights, and useful tips.
- Talk to Your Network: Don’t just post and leave. Answer comments, join group discussions, and interact with content from other people in your field.
- Use LinkedIn articles and newsletters to get more in-depth content. This can help you get your ideas out to more people and make you look like a thought leader.
- Encourage Employee Advocacy: Get your employees to share and interact with your company’s content to help it reach more people.
The Best Times to Post on TikTok in 2025
The algorithm on TikTok is very strong, and the timing of your posts is very important if you want them to show up on the “For You” page.
Best Times to Post on TikTok (EST):
- Mondays: 6 AM, 10 AM, and 10 PM
- Tuesdays: 2 AM, 4 AM, and 9 AM
- Wednesdays: 7 AM, 8 AM, and 11 PM
- Thursdays: 9 AM, 12 PM, and 7 PM
- Fridays: 5 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
- Saturdays: 11 a.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.
- Sundays: 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM
This information comes from a study by Influencer Marketing Hub and shows that people use TikTok at different times of the day, with big spikes in the early morning and late evening.
CoSchedule says that the best times to post on TikTok are usually in the afternoon and evening, from 2 PM to 9 PM on weekdays.
Useful Advice for Your TikTok Posting Schedule:
- Change to a Pro Account: This will let you see TikTok’s built-in analytics, which include data on how your followers are interacting with your content.
- Know Where Your Audience Is: If your audience is spread out over different time zones, you’ll have to try different times to see which ones work best for the most people.
- Get on the Trends Fast: TikTok trends change very quickly. As soon as you see a trend that fits with your brand, make your own version of it and post it.
- Consistency is key: to keep things going and stay relevant on the platform, try to post at least once a day.
The Best Times to Post on Pinterest in 2025
Pinterest is a visual search engine that helps people plan for the future. This unusual way of using the site affects the best times to post.
Best Times to Post on Pinterest (EST):
- Evenings, from 8 PM to 11 PM: This is when Pinners are most likely to be browsing and planning.
- Afternoons, from 1 PM to 3 PM: This is another time when people like to get involved.
- Fridays and Saturdays: These are usually the best days to post because people are getting ready for the weekend and their next projects.
Useful Tips for Your Pinterest Posting Schedule:
- Plan Your Pins Ahead of Time: Use a scheduling tool to make sure you always have a presence and post at the best times.
- Use High-Quality, Vertical Images: Since Pinterest is a visual platform, your videos and pictures need to be well-designed and stand out.
- Include Relevant Keywords in Your Pin Descriptions: This will help your content show up in search results on the platform.
- Make More Than One Pin for Each Piece of Content: This makes it more likely that more people will find your content.
Making a strong plan for posting and getting people involved
Now that you know when the best times to post on each platform are, it’s time to make a full engagement strategy and a custom post schedule.
Step 1: Set Your Goals for Social Media
What are your goals for using social media? Your whole plan will be based on your goals. Some common goals are
- Making more people aware of your brand
- Getting people to visit your website
- Getting leads and sales
- Creating a community around your brand
- Helping customers
Step 2: Get to know your audience very well
As we’ve said many times in this guide, the data you have about your own audience is the most useful. Use the analytics tools on each platform to learn:
- Demographics: age, gender, where they live, and what language they speak.
- Interests: What kinds of topics and content do they like to read and watch?
- Behavior: What times of day are they most active online?
Step 3: Pick the Right Platforms
You don’t have to have an account on every social media site. Put your time and energy into the platforms where your target audience spends the most time and where your content will have the biggest effect.
Step 4: Make a calendar for your content
A content calendar is a must-have for planning and putting together your social media posts. It will help you:
- Keep a regular posting schedule
- Make sure there is a good mix of content types
- Make plans for holidays and events that are coming up
- Work with your team
You can use a spreadsheet as your content calendar, or you can use a social media management tool like Sprout Social or Buffer.
Step 5: Try things out, look at the results, and make changes
There is no one right time to post or way to get people to interact with your posts. The world of social media is always changing, and what works today might not work tomorrow. That’s why it’s so important to:
- Try Posting at Different Times: Post the same content at different times on different days to see which times get the most interaction.
- Check your performance on a regular basis. Use the analytics tools on each platform to keep an eye on important metrics like reach, engagement rate, and clicks.
- Keep Up with Algorithm Changes: The algorithms on social media sites are always changing. Keep up with these changes and change your plan as needed.
To learn more about making a complete plan, read our guide on How to Create a Winning Social Media Marketing Strategy.
Useful Advice for Using Social Media Every Day
Here are some things you can do every day to get the most out of your social media interactions:
- Set aside time to engage: Don’t just post and leave. After you post, take 15 to 30 minutes to answer comments and talk to your audience.
Use a scheduling tool to save time. Tools like Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer can help you plan your posts ahead of time so you can stay active without being glued to your phone or computer all day. - Repurpose your content: Make a long piece of content, like a blog post or a YouTube video, and then break it up into smaller pieces for each social media site.
- Be real: Your audience doesn’t want to connect with a robot; they want to connect with a real person or brand. Let your personality show in the things you write and say.
Your Plan for Success on Social Media
Learning how to time your posts on social media is a never-ending process of trying new things and making changes. The “best posting times” we’ve given you in this guide are a great place to start, but the real key to getting the most engagement is to know your audience and adjust your “post schedule” and “engagement strategy” to fit them.
https://bigezwehotv.rw/category/digital-marketing
https://bigezwehotv.rw/category/digital-marketing/social-media-marketing-smm
Source
