Best Times to Post on Social Media: 2025 Complete Guide

So, what are the optimal times for posting on social media?

It's a perennial question for seasoned social media marketers and a curious one for newcomers. But no one can pinpoint it for sure.

Why? Because there isn't one. The landscape has changed significantly due to the pandemic disrupting schedules and altering how people engage on social platforms.

But don't despair just yet.

Fortunately, there are time windows that have proven to yield the best results in terms of generating substantial engagement. These windows can serve as a guide to discovering your own ideal posting times on social media later on.

Let's dive in and explore these timeframes!

Why Do the Best Times to Post on Social Media Matter?

It all comes down to the algorithm.

Freshness is a key factor in determining the visibility of your posts on social media feeds. Recent posts are prioritized and tend to rank higher on feeds than older ones.

By scheduling posts during optimal times on social media platforms, you can increase the chances of your audience seeing and engaging with your content.

However, this doesn't mean you'll crack the engagement code by simply posting at the best times.

The quality of the content you share on social media determines your audience engagement, while the timing of your posts plays a vital role in grabbing their attention.

Will These Times Work For Everyone?

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all best time to post. Discovering your personal optimal posting times on social media requires frequent posting and continual performance evaluation. (Ideally using Hootsuite analytics, which provides precise posting time recommendations based on your audience's unique behaviors).

These suggested posting times serve as a helpful starting point for those new to social media without extensive data or audience insights.

Indeed, experimenting with different posting times is advisable. Begin by posting in the morning, afternoon, and evening, noting which times yield the most engagement. After a few weeks, based on your observations, you'll determine what works best for you.

The General Best Times To Post On Social Media

Typically, the best time to post across social media platforms is 9:00 AM PST (12:00 PM EST) on Mondays. However, each platform has its own peak times.

Here's a concise summary of our findings

• The optimal time to post on Facebook is 10:00 AM PST on Mondays.

• Instagram sees the highest engagement at 9:00 AM PST on Mondays.

• Twitter's prime posting time is 9:00 AM PST on Fridays.

• LinkedIn's peak time is 1:00 PM PST on Mondays.

Is there truly a universal best time to post on social media?

Since newsfeed algorithms, particularly those of Twitter and Instagram, prioritize recency, posting when your followers are active is a straightforward method to enhance organic reach.

However, it's challenging to establish a single standard "best time to post" on social media. While numerous studies on industry benchmarks exist, the most reliable insights come from analyzing your own follower data.

We've all experienced the disappointment of crafting a fantastic post that doesn't gain the hoped-for traction. Understanding when your audience is most active online helps mitigate this issue.

Universal best posting times, like those identified in our research, are most valuable as initial guidelines for new accounts lacking an established audience to test on.

Once you've built an audience, determining the optimal posting times for your social media channels becomes remarkably straightforward—especially with the right tools at your disposal.

Read also: Learn the Power of SEO to Build Your Brand Awareness

After thorough research, we've found that the most effective times for posting on social media fall between 6PM to 9PM and 12PM to 3PM. Additionally, Friday emerges as the prime day for social media posting.

Here are the general best times to post on social media

• Weekdays: 1 pm-3 pm and 5 pm-6 pm

• Weekends: 9 am-2 pm and 8 pm-11 pm (Saturday)

However, before you start scheduling all your social media posts based on these time frames, it's crucial to note that these are merely general recommendations. The ideal times for posting on social media can vary depending on the specific platform and target audience.

That’s why it’s important to grasp the fundamentals of how users engage with different social media platforms!

While we're all acquainted with the major social media platforms, understanding their fundamental usage patterns is essential to comprehending why optimal posting times vary.

Let’s delve into it!

Facebook is a premier platform boasting one of the largest user bases that can be accessed from various devices at home and work. Hence, the optimal posting time depends on the audience demographics and usage habits.

Twitter is an ideal platform for marketers to engage with end-customers, especially during commuting hours and breaks. Like Facebook, the best posting times largely hinge on audience habits.

LinkedIn caters to professionals and the working community, who utilize it daily based on their work schedules and breaks.

Pinterest is predominantly browsed during leisure hours, such as while watching TV or spending time with family in the evenings.

Instagram boasts a massive following of smartphone users, making it accessible virtually anytime.

By now, you should understand how different users engage with these major social media platforms, resulting in varying optimal posting times. Now, let’s delve into a detailed discussion of the best times to post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more, to achieve optimal results.

Let’s start with Facebook!

1. What Are the Best Times to Post on Facebook in 2025?

   

   According to the latest statistics, Facebook stands out as one of the most widely used social media platforms, boasting a staggering 2.91 billion monthly active users. With such a vast user base, Facebook provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to expand their reach and engagement from the ground up.

   Strategically timing your posts on Facebook can significantly impact your reach and engagement. There are optimal windows during which you can effectively connect with your target audience.

   Here’s a detailed note on the most suitable times to post on Facebook

   Ideally, between 1 pm and 4 pm is the best time to post on Facebook to get maximum impressions. However, there are different criteria for posting on weekdays and weekends, which can help you get the highest click-throughs.

   1. Best Times to Post on Facebook

      • Ideal posting hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

      • Best posting days: Weekdays

      • Least favorable day for posting: Sunday

      Moreover, some social media experts have suggested their views on the most suitable posting schedules

      • Viralpep suggests targeting Thursdays and Fridays due to increased reader traffic, with a notable 10% spike in Facebook usage on Fridays.

      • Elle & Co. recommends 1 pm-3 pm as an optimal posting window on Facebook.

      • Hubspot's analysis highlights 9 am as a reasonable, coinciding with users' departure for work. Additionally, 1 pm-3 pm from Thursday to Sunday proves advantageous.

      • Fast Company suggests 3 pm on Wednesdays as an ideal posting time on Facebook.

   2. #SMM Tip for Facebook

      Consistently track and monitor your Facebook analytics to pinpoint peak user activity times. Once you zero down on the best times of day to post on social media, use Viralpep’s Facebook scheduling feature to automate your posting for the selected times.

      Here's your key takeaway: if you’re aiming at a higher number of likes & shares, your safest move of posting on Facebook must be at 1 pm, 3 pm, or 4 pm.

      Now, let's delve into Instagram!

2. What Are the Best Times to Post on Instagram in 2025?

   

   Instagram boasts a highly engaged user base, particularly among the 18–30 age group, with about 6 in 10 users logging in daily. Posting at optimal times can significantly enhance your reach and followership.

   Like Facebook, there's no one-size-fits-all best time to post on Instagram. However, posting during specific time frames can yield superior results.

   1. Best Times to Post on Instagram

      • Ideal posting hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

      • Best posting day: Wednesday

      • Least favorable posting day: Sunday

      Additionally, if you aim to engage users through video content on Instagram, consider posting throughout the week from 9 pm to 8 am.

      However, beware of posting between 3 pm-4 pm on any day, as it may negatively impact engagement. Utilize tools like Viralpep or SocialPilot’s Instagram scheduling tool to manage your posting schedule effectively.

      Let's also consider insights from social media experts regarding the best times for Instagram posting

      • Viralpep recommends 9 pm to 8 am, particularly on Thursdays and Mondays, for optimal engagement with pictures and videos.

      • Hubspot favors the time between 2 pm and 3 pm (CDT), with Thursday emerging as the most favorable day.

      • Search Engine Journal suggests Monday, Tuesday, Friday at 11 am and Tuesday at 2 pm as prime posting times.

      • Marketing pros recommend 1 pm - 2 pm as the peak posting window on Instagram.

   2. #SMM Tip for Insta

      Ensure your content is compelling and posted optimally to drive traffic to your business, as 81% of Instagrammers use the platform for product/service research.

      In conclusion, the best times to post on Instagram for top-notch performance are 6 am-9 am, 12 pm-2 pm, and 5 pm-6 pm.

      Stay tuned for insights on Twitter!

3. What Are the Best Times to Post a Tweet in 2025?

   

   Formerly known as Twitter, X has long served as a vital platform for marketers to connect, engage with their audience, participate in trending conversations, and foster community.

   X's real-time nature sets it apart from other social platforms, allowing for spontaneous and reactive marketing strategies. With CEO Elon Musk's ambitious plans for the app, it's poised for continued growth.

   X boasts nearly 330 million monthly active users worldwide. Savvy social marketers recognize Twitter's value in gathering insights about their target audience.

   So, why not capitalize on this opportunity? By focusing on posting at optimal times and closely monitoring activity on Twitter, you can significantly enhance the impact of your tweets.

   1. Best times to post on X (Twitter)

      • Best times to post on X (Twitter): 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

      • Best days to post on X (Twitter): Wednesday and Friday

      • Least favorable posting day to post on X (Twitter): Sunday

      Our research has found that posting between 2 am-3 am, 6 am-7 am, and 9 pm-10 pm can maximize your chances of getting more clicks. These are prime times to post on X!

      Now, you might have a good understanding of the best times to post on Twitter, but... Hold on! Are you forgetting something? Yes, indeed!

      Let's consider what social media experts have to say about the best times to Tweet:

      • Viralpep suggests the 9 am to 4 pm time frame during weekdays, with Fridays showing the highest engagement at 3 pm.

      • Kissmetrics recommends Wednesday as the best day to tweet and 5 pm as the optimal time.

      • HowSociable proposes 9-10 am as the ideal time, with Fridays being the most effective day to post on Twitter.

      • Jay Mehta Digital advises posting between 5 pm-6 pm for maximum impact.

   2. #SMM tip for Twitter

      Twitter users access the platform via smartphones and desktops, treating it like an RSS feed. Utilize effective Twitter analytics tools to identify when your target audience is most active, then leverage Viralpep’s Twitter scheduling feature to automate your tweets during those times.

      So, after understanding the nuances of when to tweet, here's the bottom line: The optimal times to tweet and reach a broader audience on Twitter throughout the week are between 9 am-6 pm.

      Now, let’s move on to YouTube!

4. What Are the Best Times to Post on YouTube in 2025?

   

   As the second most visited site globally and the second most used social platform, YouTube presents unparalleled opportunities for brands and individuals to engage audiences through video content.

   With its continuous evolution, including features like YouTube Shorts and expanded creator payment options, the platform remains a dominant force in online video.

   While recent data on the best times to post on YouTube may be scarce, these recommendations should be considered:

   1. Best Times to Post on YouTube

      • Best times to post on YouTube: 2 - 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 - 11 a.m. on weekends

      • Best days to post on YouTube: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

      • Least favorable posting day on YouTube: Tuesday

      Industry experts offer insights into optimal posting times

      • Viralpep recommends posting from 12 to 4 pm (EST) on weekdays and from 9 to 11 pm (EST) on weekends.

      • Frederator Networks suggests weekdays from 2 to 4 PM (EST) and weekends between 9 to 11 AM (EST).

      • Boosted recommends posting on Sundays at 11am or 5pm (EST).

      • HowSociable favors posting between 2 to 4 PM (EST), with Thursday and Friday being the most effective days.

   2. #SMM tip for YouTube

      Unlike other social platforms, YouTube requires time to process and understand video content before presenting it to viewers. Therefore, upload your YouTube videos 2-3 hours before your target audience’s optimal viewing time.

      With video marketing covered, let’s turn our attention to LinkedIn!

5. What Are the Best Times to Post on LinkedIn in 2025?

   

   Though primarily a platform for professionals, LinkedIn has evolved into a hub of engagement and a leading social network.

   It's a vital tool for businesses seeking to reach executives, decision-makers, and potential candidates. Well-crafted LinkedIn content can shape public perceptions and provide value to target audiences.

   1. Best Times to Post on LinkedIn

      • Ideal times to post on LinkedIn: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

      • Best days to post on LinkedIn: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

      • Least favorable posting day on LinkedIn: Weekends

      LinkedIn advises against posting during overnight hours (10 pm-6 am) when your target audience is inactive.

      Let's consider expert recommendations for posting times

      • Viralpep suggests posting between 7.30 am-8.30 am and 5 pm-6 pm.

      • Oberlo recommends 10-11 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

      • Forbes proposes posting on LinkedIn between 8 am-5 pm on workdays for optimal results.

   2. #SMM tip for LinkedIn

      Utilize LinkedIn analytics tools to track audience engagement and schedule posts for optimal times using our LinkedIn scheduling tool.

      In short, to maximize click-through rates and engage more readers, consider posting on LinkedIn between 7 am-8 am, 5 pm-6 pm, or 12 pm.

      Last but not least, let's explore Pinterest!

6. What Are the Best Times to Post on Pinterest in 2025?

   

   Once merely seen as an inspiration board-style website, Pinterest has become a vital player in e-commerce.

   Businesses can utilize Pinterest to showcase their products, drive conversions, and enhance brand awareness and sentiment.

   Success on Pinterest hinges on sharing brand-specific imagery, optimizing for mobile, and tapping into your audience’s aspirations and inspirations.

   1. Best Times to Post On Pinterest

      • Ideal times to post on Pinterest: 3-6 p.m.

      • Best day to post on Pinterest: Friday

      • Worst day to post on Pinterest: Sunday

      Friday and other weekdays consistently emerge as prime times for posting. Specifically, the late afternoon to early evening window, roughly between 3-6 p.m., is optimal for maximizing engagement.

      While these are the opportune times to post on Pinterest to target your audience, it's crucial to consider the less favorable times.

      Yes, there are times when posting on Pinterest should be avoided. Namely, during working hours! Posting during these times won’t likely yield more clicks or responses for your Pins.

      Let’s see what the experts have to say on this…

      • Viralpep suggests the best times to Pin are between 8 pm-11 pm and 2 pm-4 pm.

      • Hubspot recommends pinning between 2 am-4 am and 2 pm-4 pm for optimal audience engagement.

      • SurePayroll highlights Saturday mornings as the prime posting times on Pinterest.

   2. #SMM tip for Pinterest

      With 444 million active pinners, Pinterest content has a long lifespan. Utilize appealing content with keyword-rich descriptions and schedule your pins at specific times using our Pinterest scheduling tool to attract a more engaged audience. Pinterest’s built-in analytics tool is also highly effective for tracking your audience's behavior.

      This brings us to the final answer: the best time to pin on Pinterest is 9 p.m., especially on Saturdays!

And That’s a Wrap!

Honestly, there isn’t a single best time to post on social media. But in a way, that’s a good thing. Who wants to live in a world with only one perfect time to post?

When you put genuine effort into creating great content, you naturally want it to reach as many people as possible, right?

By pinpointing the best times to post on social media, you can greatly increase the likelihood of your audience seeing and engaging with your posts.

Plus, you can take advantage of Viralpep's exceptional scheduling features to automate your posts on seven social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

Feeling stuck and overwhelmed with managing your online presence across various social channels? Don't worry! Jay Mehta Digital offers personalized recommendations and efficient solutions to help you implement the most effective marketing tactics. Contact us today and witness your online presence flourish in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions for Optimal Social Media Posting Times