Determining the ideal time to post on social media can be a challenging task due to the diverse routines followed by people worldwide. The most suitable posting time may vary from year to year, making it crucial for social media marketers to stay updated to effectively reach a larger target audience. To shed light on this matter, Sprout Social conducted a comprehensive study, collecting data from 30,000 customers and encompassing various popular social platforms. Although the following findings provide insights into the best times to post, it’s important to note that individual results may vary, and conducting one’s own tests can yield valuable information for specific audiences.
Overall, the research suggests that the best time to post on social media is typically between 9 am and 10 am from Tuesdays to Thursdays. During this timeframe, people are often more engaged with social media platforms. However, let’s delve into platform-specific recommendations:
Best time to post on Facebook: In recent years, the peak engagement period on Facebook has shifted from the morning to the noon hours. The study suggests that the best time to post on Facebook is from Monday to Friday at 1 pm. Additionally, Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm has shown promising results. It is worth noting that posting on Saturdays may not yield optimal outcomes.
Best time to post on Instagram: Instagram has experienced a surge in popularity, with over 2 billion monthly users in 2022. Consequently, engagement on Instagram has significantly increased. According to the study, the best times to post on Instagram are Mondays at 11 am, as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Thursdays and Fridays between 10 am and 11 pm also exhibit high engagement levels.
Best time to post on Twitter: Compared to the previous year, the best times to post on Twitter have seen significant changes. Increased activity has been observed in the morning and afternoon hours. The study suggests that the optimal times to post on Twitter are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9 am. On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid posting on Sundays.
Best time to post on LinkedIn: LinkedIn consistently maintains high activity levels on all days except holidays, with a steady influx of new users each year. The study indicates that the best time to post on LinkedIn is on Tuesdays from 10 am to noon. Wednesdays and Thursdays also yield positive results. However, Saturdays and Sundays are generally not ideal for posting on this platform.
It is important to recognize that individual results may deviate from the study’s findings. Consequently, conducting personalized tests can provide valuable insights into the target audience’s behavior. Customers may respond at different times on social media, so there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Social media marketers should adapt their posting schedules based on their specific audience and continuously analyze engagement metrics to refine their strategies and maximize their reach.
