Optimal 2024 Social Media Posting Times

At Buffer, we recently embarked on an ambitious project to uncover the best times to post on social media in 2024 for every major platform. Our exhaustive analysis included millions of posts, Reels, Tweets, Shorts, videos, and more. Through this, we pinpointed the optimal times for sharing content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. We also identified peak times for TikTok and YouTube based on metrics such as reach and video views.

From this data, we observed clear patterns indicating that specific timeslots consistently yield higher engagement. These insights are crucial for optimizing your social media marketing strategy. While these times provide a strong starting point, remember that posting at the ‘right’ time alone isn’t a guaranteed recipe for success. Engagement, including likes, comments, shares, and clicks on your posts, is the true ‘secret sauce.’ Algorithms across social media platforms use engagement as a key indicator to showcase popular content to broader audiences.

Therefore, the more engagement your content garners, the more likely it is to appear prominently in newsfeeds. While post recency also plays a role, as users prefer fresh content, engagement holds greater significance. This is where social media management tools like Buffer can make a difference. By experimenting with scheduling posts during these optimal times and tracking their performance, you can fine-tune your strategy to suit your target audience.

Is There a Universal Best Time to Post?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all best time to post on all social media platforms. Different platforms cater to different user behaviors. For example, LinkedIn, primarily used for professional networking, gets more engagement during working hours, while Instagram sees higher interaction during typical break times. On Twitter, Mondays are best for tweets, whereas Fridays dominate YouTube engagement.

Quick Guide: Best Times to Post on Social Media

Here’s a concise overview of the best times to post on various platforms. For detailed insights, scroll down for more options:

• Facebook: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. on weekdays
• Instagram: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. on weekdays
• LinkedIn: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays
• TikTok: 2 p.m. on Mondays, 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, 8 a.m. on Sundays
• YouTube: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Fridays
• X/Twitter: 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday

The Optimal Time to Post on Facebook

The best time to post on Facebook is 10 a.m. on Friday. Other high-engagement slots include Monday at 10 a.m. and Tuesday at 9 a.m. We found that posts published on weekday mornings generally attract more engagement, with Friday being the peak day.

The worst time to post on Facebook is during the weekends, especially Saturday, followed by Sunday.

For a comprehensive guide to the best time to post on Facebook, explore our complete analysis.

The Optimal Time to Post on Instagram

The best time to post on Instagram is Friday at 7 a.m. Weekday posts between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. also see high engagement rates. The best day to post is Friday, with Monday as a close second. Conversely, Sunday and Saturday are the worst days to post.

For a detailed guide on the best time to post on Instagram, check out our in-depth review.

The Optimal Time to Post on LinkedIn

The best time to post on LinkedIn is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Unsurprisingly, Friday sees the highest engagement, followed closely by Thursday. As LinkedIn is a professional network, the end of the workweek appears to be optimal for user activity. The least engaging times are weekends.

For more insights, delve into our full guide on the best time to post on LinkedIn.

The Optimal Time to Post on TikTok

The best times to post on TikTok are 2 p.m. on Mondays, 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. on Sundays. Unlike other platforms, TikTok engagement is less predictable, likely due to its younger user base, of which 53 percent are under 25. The best day to post is Tuesday, while the worst is Saturday.

For a comprehensive exploration, read our guide on the best time to post on TikTok.

The Optimal Time to Post on YouTube

The best time to post on YouTube is between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays. Additional times include Tuesday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. Fridays exhibit the highest engagement, while Sundays are less favorable.

For further details, refer to our full guide on the best time to post on YouTube.

The Optimal Time to Post on X (formerly Twitter)

The best time to tweet is 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday. Twitter engagement peaks late morning to midday during the workweek. Midnight and early morning slots also perform well on certain days.

For a detailed breakdown, read our guide on the best time to post on X.

Finding Your Best Times to Post Using Buffer

While these guidelines provide a solid foundation, your best times to post depend on your unique audience. Use your social media metrics to discover what works best for you. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube offer analytics that highlight high-engagement times.

If you don’t have access to native analytics, social media management tools like Buffer offer invaluable insights. Buffer’s Analytics feature evaluates historical data to recommend the best times, content formats, and posting frequencies.

Here’s how to find these recommendations:

1. Connect the desired social network to Buffer (refer to our guide for steps). Note that it may take up to a week to gather sufficient data.
2. Navigate to the Analytics tab at the top left.
3. In your Analytics Overview, use the date dropdown to set the period for your report.

4. Select the platform in the left column.
5. Click the Answers tab to find all recommended times and formats for posting.

Timing Matters — But It’s Not Everything

While timing your posts appropriately can enhance performance, it isn’t the sole determinant of success. Prioritize creating engaging content that resonates with your audience. Unsure where to start? Check out our guide to building a solid social media strategy from scratch.

Share your insights on the best times to post @buffer on all social media accounts!

Click Here For More Marketing tips and strategies.