Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it is no secret that it can be a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their audience. However, with so much content being shared on social media, it can be challenging to make your posts stand out. One way to increase engagement and reach is to post your content at the optimal times. In this blog, we will discuss the best posting times for social media platforms.
Facebook is the most popular social media platform, with over 2 billion active users. According to research, the best time to post on Facebook is between 1 pm and 3 pm on weekdays. Engagement rates are generally higher during this time as people take a break from work and check their social media accounts. However, it is also recommended to post during off-work hours, such as early mornings and evenings, as many people check their Facebook accounts outside of work hours.
When you use Facebook's built in scheduling tools, you can also look out for tips and tricks. Example, on our Cay Marketing page, we can see a list of recommended times based on our followers' online time in the last 7 days:
Instagram is a visual platform that is popular among millennials and Gen Z. The best time to post on Instagram is during off-work hours, but also between 9 am and 11 am on weekdays and on weekends. Engagement rates are generally higher during these times as people are more likely to have free time to browse through their feeds. Additionally, posting during lunchtime (12 pm to 1 pm) and after work hours (7 pm to 9 pm) can also increase engagement rates. As usual you can check more custom options for your feed by looking at your Instagram insights. This shows our audience's most active times on Saturdays. You can check days of the week as well.
Twitter is a fast-paced platform that is popular among journalists, politicians, and celebrities. The best time to post on Twitter is during work hours, particularly between 9 am and 11 am on weekdays. Engagement rates are generally higher during these times as people are checking their Twitter accounts for news updates and current events. Additionally, tweeting during lunchtime (12 pm to 1 pm) and after work hours (5 pm to 6 pm) can also increase engagement rates.
This platform as also been changing a lot and we are guilty of not using it that much (really because our target audience does not really live there). However, for our clients that use Twitter, we like to take advantage of /analytics.twitter.com. This helps break down the numbers by days/months. Here you can see when your followers (or when your new followers) interacted with your page and content the most.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that is popular among professionals and businesses. The best time to post on LinkedIn is during work hours, particularly between 10 am and 12 pm on weekdays. Engagement rates are generally higher during these times as people are checking their LinkedIn accounts for job updates and industry news. Additionally, posting during after-work hours (5 pm to 6 pm) can also increase engagement rates.
LinkedIn does have page analytics were you can check on more than just followers but also visitors, leads, and competitors. Because LinkedIn is a job platform for B2B interactions, these analytics are ideal for HR teams, real estate teams, or anyone trying to reach businesses vs individuals.
In conclusion, the best posting times for social media platforms can vary depending on your audience's demographics and location. It is essential to experiment with different posting times and analyze your engagement rates to determine the optimal posting times for your business. By posting at the right times, you can increase your reach and engagement, which can lead to higher conversion rates and better overall social media performance.