The Best Times to Post on Social Media: What Actually Works?

As a marketer, social media manager, and business owner, I’ve asked the same question over and over: When is the best time to post on social media? If you've ever wondered why some posts go viral while others get buried, you're not alone. Finding the perfect time to post can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with constantly shifting pieces. But after years of trial and error—along with a little help from data—I’ve discovered the key to posting at the right time is understanding your audience.

Whether you're growing a personal brand, running a business, or managing multiple client accounts (hello, SocialBrains!), knowing when your audience is actually scrolling can be the difference between crickets and conversions. Let’s break it down.

What the Data Says About Posting Times

Recent studies from Buffer, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social show that engagement rates vary by platform—and there’s no universal "best" time that fits all. Here’s what we know:

📱 Best Times to Post by Platform

Instagram:

⏰ Best Times: 7 AM - 9 AM, 11 AM - 1 PM, and 7 PM - 9 PM
📅 Best Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
🚫 Avoid: Sundays

Instagram is heavily used during morning routines, lunch breaks, and evenings when people are winding down. If your audience consists of professionals, early morning engagement works. For Gen Z and Millennials, evenings are a hotspot.

Facebook:

⏰ Best Times: 8 AM - 10 AM, 12 PM - 1 PM, 6 PM - 8 PM
📅 Best Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
🚫 Avoid: Saturdays

Facebook's audience still engages the most during lunch breaks and after work hours. It’s a prime space for older demographics, local businesses, and community-driven content.

LinkedIn:

⏰ Best Times: 7 AM - 9 AM, 12 PM - 1 PM
📅 Best Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
🚫 Avoid: Weekends

Since LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, users are most active before work, during lunch, and sometimes right after work. Avoid weekends—most people unplug.

TikTok:

⏰ Best Times: 6 AM - 10 AM, 7 PM - 11 PM
📅 Best Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
🚫 Avoid: Mid-afternoons

TikTok’s algorithm is highly engagement-based. Prime times are late evenings and early mornings when users are doom-scrolling.

So… When Should YOU Post?

Truthfully, the best time to post depends on your audience. I’ve learned this firsthand while running social media for realtors, beauty studios, and dance studios—what works for one brand doesn’t always work for another.

Here’s how to find YOUR best posting times:

Use Insights & Analytics: Check Instagram and Facebook Insights, TikTok Analytics, and LinkedIn data to see when your audience is online.
Test & Optimize: Try different posting times and track engagement. Over time, patterns will emerge.
Consider Time Zones: If your audience is national or global, stagger your posts accordingly.
Be Consistent: The algorithm rewards consistent posting—don’t just post at the “best time” but post often.

Final Thoughts: Timing Matters, But So Does Content

Knowing when to post is important, but great content will always win. You could post at the “perfect” time, but if your content isn’t valuable, engaging, or scroll-stopping, it won’t perform well. Focus on quality first, then optimize your posting schedule.

At SocialBrains, we help businesses turn followers into customers through strategic branding, engaging content, and smart social media management. If you’re struggling to figure out your best posting times—or just want content that converts—let’s chat!

What has been your experience with posting times? Drop a comment and let’s compare notes!