TL;DR: The best social media post schedule
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Across all platforms, peak social media times tend to be weekday mid-mornings at the start of the week. Our studies find the overall prime posting window is 9am–12pm on Monday–Wednesday, when engagement spikes.
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That makes the best time to post on social media on Monday and the best time to post on social media on Wednesday perfect for content that needs maximum visibility and early-week momentum.
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As the week progresses, attention shifts slightly. The best time to post on social media on Thursday captures people as they start thinking about wrapping up tasks and easing into weekend mode, while the best time to post on social media on Fridays aligns with users winding down work and scrolling for inspiration or entertainment.
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Weekends behave differently. The best time to post on social media on Saturday tends to be late morning to early afternoon, when people are awake, relaxed, and scrolling at their own pace — not in a rush but open to inspiration, discovery, or planning. Similarly, the best time to post on social media on Tuesday falls within those mid-morning hours, when audiences are fully back in the groove of their week and actively exploring new content.
The best day to post on social media by country
The best time to post on social media in USA
In the U.S., the magic posting hour is usually mid-morning on weekdays. Our research shows 9am–12pm (especially Tue–Thu) consistently sees high engagement.
Why? Folks have grabbed their coffee and are on a mid-morning break, so your post catches them as they scroll. For example, New York data highlights that the break-time window (9–11am) on midweek days is a sweet spot.
West Coast markets show a similar pattern: Los Angeles sees peaks around 8–10am and again in the early afternoon. In short, tapping into that weekday “coffee break” scroll is gold because people check news & social as they ease into the workday.
The best time to post on social media in India
India’s audience tends to peek at social media first thing in the morning and again after work.
Posting around 9–11am and early evening (4–7pm) hits home.
Why? Culturally, many Indians start the day with a cup of chai and a quick feed-check (data confirms a lot of activity around 7–9am), then later unwind online in the evening. Those morning hours are prime, and another surge comes once people are off work. In practice, shooting content just as people break for lunch or leave the office lines up perfectly with their scroll-time. (Weekend use is strong too, but for a general rule, morning/evening on weekdays is key.)
The best times to post on social media UK
In the UK, the best social media posting times are late-afternoon on weekdays, especially towards the end of the week.
Thursday is the best day to post, with engagement peaking from about 4pm to 10pm. Put another way, aim to post on a Thursday afternoon or early evening.
Why? By Thursday many Brits are winding down their week and have more free time to scroll (and Friday’s just around the corner). Also, catching people after work on weekdays (around 4–7pm) often yields strong responses as they check social on the commute home or after dinner.
(By the way, Saturday is usually the slowest day for UK engagement, so better to strike on Thu-Fri evenings.)
The best time to post on social media in Egypt
Egyptian social media habits center on midday and late evening. In Cairo (GMT+2), the highest engagement windows are roughly 12pm–3pm and 8pm–10pm.
In practical terms, a post just before or during lunch catches people taking a mid-day break (when schools or offices pause), and the evening slot hits right after dinner. So, if you’re targeting an Egyptian audience, think of dropping posts over the lunch hour or late evening when folks unwind — those are proven peak scroll times.
The best time to post on social media in Pakistan
The best time of day to post on social media in Pakistan is weekday late-mornings (around 9am–12pm) are golden, with a secondary bump in the early evening.
Radaar data for Islamabad also finds that the best days to post on social media are Tues/Wed mornings (9–12pm). They see a traffic surge, and there’s another spike roughly 5–7pm as people log back in after work.
In other words, catching people just before and after the workday is smart. Lunch-hour timing is also strong (many check updates during a lunch break).
The best time to post on social media in UAE
In the UAE (e.g. Dubai, GMT+4), the lunch and afternoon hours reign. 10am–3pm on weekdays as the best posting window.
This midday range hits when many people are on breaks or checking in at work, including the large expat workforce and night-shift schedules.
The best time to post on Facebook and Instagram in UAE is also in the early evening, but midday holds the overall edge. So for UAE audiences, aim to go live around late morning or early afternoon (around 1pm also tends to catch everyone over a meal break).
The best time to post on social media in Nigeria
For Nigeria (Lagos, GMT+1), evenings are prime. Users in Nigeria most often hop online after the workday ends.
The 6pm–8pm slot is the peak engagement window.
Why does that make sense? People are home from work or school, having dinner, and scrolling through social media. Citing that same research, “when most people are off work” in the evening, engagement spikes. If you post around 7pm Nigerian time, you’re likely hitting Nigerians during prime relaxation hours on their phones.
Overall, the pattern is clear: the best time to post on social media today is when people are free to scroll. Whether it’s an early-morning commute, a lunch break, or post-work downtime, these routine habits drive social-media traffic. The times above reflect when audiences in each region are most likely browsing (and thus engaging) – if you hit those peaks, your content gets seen by more eyes.
When to post on Instagram (by day of the week)
Different days of the week actually behave differently, and knowing when your audience is scrolling can make a huge difference.
So, grab your coffee, because I’m about to spill the real tea on the best days to post, no fluff, just the stuff that actually works.
Best time to post on Instagram on Monday
US (Eastern/Central): ~1–2 PM and 4–6 PM local
Canada (Central): ~10 AM–12 PM and 6–8 PM local
UK: ~12–1 PM and 5–10 PM local
Europe (CET): roughly 7–9 PM CET
On Mondays, the best time to post on Instagram is around 1–2 PM and 4–5 PM, aligning naturally with user routines: a quick scroll after lunch and another during the late-afternoon slowdown.
These times work because people are actively checking feeds after finishing lunch and then again as energy dips in the late afternoon, creating two predictable engagement peaks. Posting during these windows increases visibility, as Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that receives early interactions when users are most attentive.
Best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday
US/Canada: 11 AM–6 PM local (broad window)
UK: ~5–6 PM local
Europe (CET): ~7–9 PM CET
On Tuesdays, Instagram shows consistently high activity across much of the day, making 11 AM–6 PM the strongest posting window.
Why? Engagement stays elevated because users are fully back in their weekly routine: checking Instagram during late-morning work breaks, lunchtime scrolls, and again in the late afternoon as productivity dips. Rather than one sharp peak, Tuesday delivers a long, reliable engagement stretch, meaning content posted anytime during this window has a strong chance to surface and gain traction.
Best time to post on Instagram on Wednesday
US/Canada: 11 AM–6 PM and 7–9 PM local
UK: ~5–9 PM local
Europe (CET): ~7–9 PM CET
On Wednesdays, the best time to post on Instagram falls into two strong windows: 11 AM–6 PM and 7–9 PM. Midday through late afternoon sees high activity as users check their feeds during work breaks and lunch, keeping engagement steady. A secondary peak emerges in the evening, around 7–9 PM, when people unwind, browse for inspiration, and catch up on content after dinner.
Best time to post on Instagram on Thursday
US/Canada: 11 AM–6 PM local
UK: ~7–8 PM local
Europe (CET): ~7–9 PM CET
On Thursdays, Instagram activity follows a pattern similar to Tuesday and Wednesday, with steady engagement from late morning through the afternoon in North America. In the UK, the peak shifts later, around 7–8 PM, while continental Europe sees the strongest activity 7–9 PM CET.
Why do these hours work? Because users are actively scrolling during lunch breaks and again after work, making it an ideal window to capture attention and maximize early engagement, which helps posts gain broader visibility.
Best time to post on Instagram on Friday
US/Canada: 10 AM–5 PM local
UK: ~3–10 PM local
Europe (CET): ~4–11 PM CET
On Fridays, Instagram engagement remains strong from late morning through the afternoon, with a broad 10 AM–5 PM window in North America. In the UK and continental Europe, activity stretches later into the evening, roughly 3–10 PM and 4–11 PM CET, respectively.
Why do these hours work? Because users are checking feeds during lunch breaks, wrapping up their workweek, and gradually shifting into evening leisure scrolling, making posts during this span more likely to receive early interactions and wider reach.
Best time to post on Instagram on Saturday
US/Canada: 10 AM–6 PM local
UK: 9 AM–9 PM local
Europe (CET): ~10 AM–10 PM CET
On Saturdays, overall Instagram engagement is lower than weekdays, but a broad active window still exists, roughly 10 AM–6 PM in North America and 9 AM–9 PM in the UK (~10 AM–10 PM CET).
Peak activity typically occurs in the early afternoon, around 1–4 PM, though it is only a modest increase. These hours work because users check feeds more sporadically on weekends, so posting during midday and early afternoon captures people during casual scrolling, while strong content quality helps posts stand out despite lighter overall traffic.
Best time to post on Instagram on Sunday
US/Canada: around 4 PM local
UK: ~4–8 PM local
Europe (CET): ~5–9 PM CET
On Sundays, Instagram engagement peaks in the late afternoon, with a primary window around 4 PM in the US and Canada. In the UK, activity extends from 4–8 PM, roughly 5–9 PM CET in Europe.
These hours work because users are winding down their weekend, catching up on social feeds before the new week begins. It makes this window ideal for a well-timed Sunday engagement post that meets people in that calm, reflective scroll mode.
Best days by country
The best time to post on Instagram Belgium
💡 Around 6 PM on Wednesdays. Have you ever noticed how Belgians don’t scroll much during work hours? By 6 PM mid‑week, they’ve wrapped up their day, maybe enjoyed a beer or meal, and are on the couch flipping through Instagram. That evening window hits right when people are relaxed and receptive ( not rushed), so your post gets eyes, likes, and hopefully saves.
The best time to post on Instagram USA
💡 Late mornings, especially around 11 AM local time. Americans tend to hit Instagram between bites of lunch or while waiting on a Zoom to start, so 11 AM catches that lunchtime scrolling spike perfectly. It’s that sweet spot after breakfast chaos but before the afternoon slump, so your content gets quick taps, which tells the algorithm “show this to more people.
The best time to post on Instagram UAE
💡 Evenings, roughly 7–10 PM local (Sun–Thu), with some lunchtime activity around 1–3 PM. In the UAE, people tend to scroll Instagram after the workday ends, especially between 7 PM and 10 PM, when they’re relaxing, socializing online, or catching up on posts.
Weekday midday breaks around 1–3 PM also see people checking their feeds between meetings and errands. On weekends and especially Sunday nights, engagement stays strong late into the evening, because many users unwind with their phones before bed and are more receptive to engaging content.
The best time to post on Instagram in India
💡 Evenings around 6 PM, especially Sundays. Indian users often check in after work and dinner, so 6 PM to 9 PM is when screens light up across cities from Delhi to Chennai.
Sunday evenings in particular feel like chill‑and‑scroll time, when people catch up on feeds — your post rides that wave of relaxed attention.
The best time to post Instagram Malaysia
💡 Around 9 PM on Sunday. Malaysians seem to peak later at night, especially at 9 PM, when dinner’s done, work’s done, and phones come out again. That later evening ritual means more users are lounging on the sofa or in bed, binge‑scrolling.
The best time to post on Instagram in Texas
💡 Late mornings to early afternoons (about 10 AM–1 PM). Texas folks, like much of the U.S., peek at Instagram around lunch (maybe while grabbing tacos or coffee), so late morning to early afternoon catches phones in hands.
Local routines matter here: work breaks, lunchtime breather, and mid‑day scrolls are all real moments where your post can shine.
The best days to post reels
Reels follow the same human rhythms as feed posts: breaks, commutes, couch time, but distribution is much more recommendation-driven. This means the “winning” time isn’t just when you hit publish; it’s whether your Reel earns early momentum through strong watch time, rewatches, shares, and saves during its initial distribution.
As a benchmark, the best times to post Reels in the US and Canada generally fall midweek (Tuesday–Thursday), late morning through afternoon (11 AM–5 PM). For UK and CET audiences, the window often shifts later into the evening, when people are more likely to be in full “sit-and-watch” mode.
The best days to post on Instagram according to the industry
Beauty & Fashion
Best windows (local time):
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Weekdays: 12–2 PM and 7–9 PM
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Weekends: 9–11 AM and 5–7 PM
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Extra strong: Sunday evening
Lunch is all about a quick scroll and feeding that curiosity, maybe spotting something to grab later. Evenings are “try-on,” routine, or glow-up time — the moments people look at themselves and say, “yep, I want this vibe.” Sundays spike because folks are planning outfits, appointments, and little routines for the week ahead, making them extra receptive to inspiration.
Travel & Tourism
Post times (local time):
Weekends mean longer scroll sessions and higher intent. By late Sunday morning, people are relaxed enough to browse seriously, compare destinations, and save ideas for later. The weekday lunch and evening windows hit the “escape hatch” scroll — a quick mental getaway that leads to saves and shares without needing hours of attention.
Food & Restaurants
No secrets here, people engage when they’re hungry… and when they’re deciding what to eat.
Post to match real meal decision windows:
You’re not really competing with other content — you’re competing with a stomach. Friday engagement post can catch people choosing where to eat, what to order, or where to go with friends.
Hit that exact moment someone thinks, “What should we eat?” and suddenly your post isn’t just seen, it’s useful, clickable, and shareable.
Fitness & wellness
Fitness content is all about when they decide to be the person who actually works out.
Best windows (local time):
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Weekdays: 6–8 AM and 5–7 PM
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Weekends: 8–10 AM and 4–6 PM
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Most consistent: Tuesday–Wednesday
Mornings hit that “let’s get moving” motivation, helping people figure out what today’s workout looks like. Evenings are all about post-work stress relief and reinforcing habits. On weekends, routines shift later, so the sweet spots slide forward as people wake up, stretch, and ease into the day.
Education
Education spikes when the day winds down and brains finally have some breathing room.
Best times (local time): Wednesday–Thursday: 2–4 PM and 6–9 PM
Afternoons catch students as school lets out and parents shift from work mode to family mode. Evenings are prime for the research phase to scroll through courses, programs, or figuring out “how can I level up?” Your content lands when people actually have the mental space to learn, save, and engage.
Gaming
Gaming lives in the leisure economy — you want to post when people have given themselves permission to disappear into it.
Best posting windows:
This audience isn’t here for quick scrolls; they want long sessions. Late-day posts win because they hit right as gamers slip into play or streaming mode, fully engaged and ready to interact.
B2B
If you’re selling to professionals,align with their schedule.
Best time to upload (local time):
Mid-morning and early afternoon are the cleanest little pockets in their day. That’s when someone’s open to a quick insight, a smart carousel, a punchy stat, a sharp POV, or a link that says, “Hey, here’s something worth your time.”
When to post on YouTube (by day of the week)
The best time to post on YouTube on Monday
For Mondays, think of the day as a warm-up, not a throwaway.
The strongest YouTube performance window is 3–5 PM local audience time, with a smaller bump around lunch. That 3–5 PM slot gives YouTube enough runway to test your video before people settle in after work and kick off their evening watch sessions.
If you need a single rule for Monday, aim for around 4 PM in your audience’s main time zone:
This is especially gold for B2B or “brain-on” content, where working professionals are ready to watch after they close Slack, finish meetings, and finally have a little focus time.
The best time to post on YouTube on Tuesday
Tuesday behaves a lot like Monday but with more confidence. Viewers are back in their groove, and the 3–6 PM window becomes reliably strong across US, UK, and Canada. Lunch still works, but the after-work spike usually drives better retention and higher CTR for sponsored videos.
If you’re optimizing YouTube Shorts, anchor posts around those micro-breaks: we see sharp lifts ~12–1 PM and again after 7 PM, when people are scrolling vertically on their phones rather than hunting for 20-minute deep dives.
For long-form collaborations, the best time to post on Tuesday is roughly 3–4 PM local, giving the algorithm enough runway to test your video before the evening binge begins.
Time zones reference:
The best time to post on YouTube on Wednesday
Wednesday is your hero day. Across our data, late afternoon consistently delivers the highest median views and engagement for collaborations, especially in B2C verticals like beauty, gaming, and lifestyle, and for Gen Z and young adult audiences.
If you’re circling one slot on the calendar, aim for 3–5 PM and treat it like sacred real estate.
Best times by region:
This window hits right before people settle into their evening scrolls, giving your content maximum visibility and early engagement for the algorithm to boost it.
The best time to post on YouTube on Thursday
Thursday is that day when “weekend energy” quietly kicks in. Viewership climbs through the afternoon and often stays strong into the evening.
For both B2B and B2C, 3–6 PM local time is the sweet spot — especially if your content leans entertainment-heavy or is designed to drive impulse clicks, like drops, promos, or launches.
When planning global or multi-market campaigns, Thursday handles staggered posts beautifully:
This is why we treat Thursday’s late-afternoon window as the best time to post on YouTube when you want both broad reach and traffic that actually converts.
The best time to post on YouTube on Friday
Fridays are that day when people mentally clock out early and YouTube traffic wakes up a little earlier too. We see meaningful activity starting late morning, then a strong ramp 1–4 PM, especially for consumer brands.
If your goal is to catch the end-of-week vibe like payday shopping, food delivery, entertainment scrolls — you want your video live before commuting and weekend plans kick in.
For that reason, the best time to post on YouTube Friday for collabs is usually 2–3 PM in your primary market:
Hit this window, and your content lands just as people are winding down the workweek but still scrolling, giving you the best shot at views, shares, and engagement.
The best time to post on YouTube on Saturday
Saturday can be tricky. Overall YouTube volume dips compared to midweek, but if your audience is students, families, or hobby communities, it can still earn a spot in the calendar.
The cleanest window is late morning to early lunch, roughly 9 AM–12 PM local, when people wake up, grab coffee, and start scrolling without work getting in the way. For Shorts, we’ve seen strong lifts 10–11 AM and again 6–7 PM, perfect for people scrolling between plans or while out and about.
For long-form brand or creator collabs, avoid late nights and aim for 10 AM–12 PM local, giving your video the whole day to gain momentum.
Time zones reference:
Hit these windows, and even on a slower Saturday, your content gets a fighting chance to compound views and engagement throughout the day.
The best time to post on YouTube on Sunday
Sunday is consistently the lowest-energy day in our dataset, especially after mid-afternoon, when people flip from “entertain me” to “prep for Monday.” When you do post, lean into morning and late-morning, roughly 9 AM–12 PM local, where most of the viable traffic lives.
Parent and family content can still perform because co-watching happens in those late-morning windows, but for almost every other niche, treat Sunday as a supporting day — not the anchor for big launches. If you had to pick one slot, the best time to post on YouTube Sunday is 10–11 AM in your audience’s main time zone — early enough to catch them before they slide into “new week” mode.
Time zones reference:
The best days to post on YouTube according to the industry
Beauty
For UK and Canadian beauty audiences, you’re chasing slow mornings and unwind evenings.
Long-form content — tutorials, GRWMs, and deep-dive reviews — performs best in:
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Weekend late mornings (10 AM–12 PM): cozy pyjamas, coffee in hand, the perfect moment for a 20-minute tutorial.
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Weekday evenings (7–9 PM, especially Thu/Fri): when they’re planning outfits and looks for nights out or weekend plans.
The why is simple: these are the moments when they actually have time to watch and try, not just mindlessly scroll.
Beauty Shorts hit the craving moments:
These Shorts spark saves, shares, and “add to cart” actions — then your long-form content does the heavy lifting on education and tutorials.
Parenting
Parents don’t live on normal content timelines — their scrolls happen in snippets and stolen moments.
For UK and Canadian audiences, long-form parenting content works best when the house is quiet:
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Very early (before 7 AM): first coffee in hand, before anyone’s awake.
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Late night (after 9–10 PM): when the kids are finally asleep.
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Weekend early afternoons (1–2 PM): nap time or quiet play, perfect for vlogs and longer stories.
Shorts need to slide into micro-breaks:
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Midday (12–2 PM): quick hacks during nap or lunch.
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Around 3 PM: scrolling in the school pickup line.
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Late night (9–11 PM): the “I survived the day” meme scroll.
If your collab is with a parenting creator, don’t shy away from these “weird” hours — that’s literally when this audience can finally hold a phone with two hands.
Finance
Finance viewers act more like news consumers than entertainers.
Long-form content in UK and Canada performs best:
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Monday & Friday mornings (7–10 AM): pre-market or pre-work energy, perfect for “what’s happening this week?” and “what just happened?” updates.
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Midweek late mornings (~11 AM): great for evergreen explainers or B2B finance deep dives.
Shorts land in two key moments:
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Pre-market mornings (~7–8 AM): quick 30-second market updates, “3 things you missed yesterday,” or fast money tips.
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Early evenings (~5–7 PM): closing-bell recaps or “don’t do this with your salary” clips.
You’re essentially syncing to information cycles: hit them before they make decisions in the morning, and again when they’re reviewing the day and winding down in the evening.
Fitness & Wellness
Fitness timing is glued to routines.
For UK and Canadian audiences, long-form workouts and wellness vlogs do best weekday early mornings (6–9 AM) and evenings (5–8 PM). Morning is the classic “follow along with me” energy, while evening is more “research what I’ll try tomorrow” or “stretch out the day.”
Shorts shine in the in-between moments:
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7 AM: a 30-second form tip lands as people lace up their shoes.
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12–2 PM: a snack-size recipe or mobility clip catches office workers scrolling through lunch.
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8 PM: a “one move to fix your back” Short hits right when bodies start complaining on the couch.
You’re basically matching energy levels: long-form content where they commit, Shorts where they scroll, browse, and bookmark for later.
Tech
Long-form content works best midweek, Tuesday–Friday, roughly 12–4 PM — think lunch and early-afternoon slump: perfect for deep dives, comparisons, and “should I upgrade?” videos. There’s usually a slight lift again around 4–5 PM, when knowledge workers sneak in one last “research” session before wrapping up the day.
Shorts hit the quick-scroll moments:
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8–9 AM: “check the headlines before work” scroll.
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Around 12 PM: fast spec rundowns or unboxing teasers as a mental break.
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6–7 PM: early evening for entertainment-leaning clips rather than pure specs.
Gaming
Gamers in UK and Canada cluster around after-school/work hours and weekends.
Long-form content — walkthroughs, streams, VODs — performs best:
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Thu–Fri late afternoon to evening (3–6 PM): that “just sat down at my PC/console” energy.
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Weekend evenings (7–9 PM): peak “I’m staying in, let’s binge this game” mode.
Shorts travel with them:
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3–4 PM: after classes or work, snacky clips, fails, and insane plays.
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Late night (10 PM+): the insomniac scroll, between matches or lying in bed still thinking about the game.
In gaming, Shorts are the top-of-funnel awareness engine, while long-form builds community and conversion: subs, Discord joins, and in-game purchases.
When to post on TikTok: best time & days schedule (by day of the week)
The best time to post on TikTok on Monday
As you can see, the best TikTok posting time on Monday shifts by region. Monday is prime for educational, B2B, or “reset and motivation” content.
Why it works: audiences are starting the week fresh, setting goals, and scrolling for inspiration. Posting during these windows puts your content in front of them when attention is high and engagement is ready to happen.
The best time to post on TikTok on Tuesday
Best times to post on TikTok Tuesday:
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UK: 5:00–9:00 PM
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CST: 6:00–10:00 PM
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PST: 2:00–6:00 PM
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US (ET): 4:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday consistently takes the crown for top-performing views. Mid-week attention is high, audiences are settled into their routines, and people are actively discovering new content, which makes a Tuesday engagement post especially powerful. It lands right when people are focused enough to pay attention but still curious enough to explore something new.
Why? These hours work because they align with after-work and evening scrolls, when users have time to watch, engage, and share without rushing.
The best time to post on TikTok on Wednesday
Best times to post on TikTok Wednesday:
Wednesday’s sweet spot is mostly evening hours, perfect for storytelling, tutorials, and series content.
Why do these hours work? By midweek, the week is in full swing — work and school are done, dinner’s over, and people finally have a moment to scroll without rushing. These hours work best because users are in relaxed, “me-time” mode, ready to binge, save, and share content that captures their attention.
The best time to post on TikTok on Thursday
Thursday TikTok post times:
Thursday’s windows hit the sweet spot for TikTok, consistently driving some of the highest engagement rates across niches.
The key difference from Wednesday? This window starts earlier — people check TikTok during late lunch breaks, slow afternoons, and right after work. Competition for attention is still manageable, but users are primed to save, share, and comment, whether they’re planning outfits, routines, tips, or figuring out what to try this weekend.
The best time to post on TikTok on Friday
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UK: 6:00–9:00 PM
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CET: 5:00–8:00 PM
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PST: 12:00–3:00 PM
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US (ET): 2:00–5:00 PM
Friday is perfect for entertainment, food, travel, and lifestyle content. Scroll behavior is different from the rest of the week since people mentally check out earlier, routines loosen, and TikTok shifts from learning or planning to pure inspiration and entertainment.
Posting during these hours hits the moments when audiences are relaxed, receptive, and ready to engage with fun, feel-good content.
The best time to post on TikTok on Saturday
Saturday is a bit of a wildcard — overall volume is lower, but the potential for viral reach is high if your content is strong. People aren’t tied to work or school, so scrolling habits get all over the place.
Even though traffic dips, evenings are prime: users settle in with their phones, relaxed, ready to binge, and more likely to stumble across and engage with new content.
The best time to post on TikTok on Sunday
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UK: 6:00–8:00 PM
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CET: 5:00–7:00 PM
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PST: 1:00–4:00 PM
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US (ET): 4:00–7:00 PM
Sundays are all about winding down, so mornings are best avoided if you want to maximize reach and engagement. People are resting, running errands, or just enjoying downtime. Evenings are prime. Users are relaxed, settling in before the week starts, and more likely to watch, like, and share content.
The best days to post on TikTok according to the industry
I pulled these industry insights from our own IQFluence clients across different niches. In each segment, we looked at anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 influencers, so the trends aren’t just random – they reflect real campaigns and real results.
Beauty & Fashion
Best TikTok upload times:
Why it works: Tuesday is when attention rebounds. People feel back in control of the week and are more open to discovering and interacting with content. By Wednesday, users hit a sweet spot of energy and curiosity, comfortable exploring new videos without feeling rushed.
Thursday brings anticipation mode: viewers are mentally shifting toward leisure, scrolling in the evening, and engaging impulsively with likes, follows, and saves. Combined, this makes 6:00–9:00 PM a prime window for engagement, discovery, and conversions on TikTok.
Read Also: Rethinking fashion influencer marketing
Travel & Tourism
Best TikTok algorithm times:
Travel content thrives when people are daydreaming, planning, or just looking for an escape. Late afternoon into early evening hits that spot — users are winding down from work or school, scrolling with more focus and imagination.
Engagement tends to climb later in the day overall, with strong activity from early afternoon into evening across most niches. From Wednesday through Friday, these patterns are especially reliable: midweek routines have settled, but users still crave a little inspiration to break the monotony, and travel content fits that role perfectly.
Posting during weekday afternoons and evenings gives people the space to imagine trips, watch destination tips, and save ideas for future plans.
Read also: Expert Guide on how to do airbnb influencer marketing 2026
Food & Restaurants
Best TikTok posting times:
Food content lands in people’s lives when they’re actually thinking about food. That’s why these windows are so effective: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM hits lunch planning and hunger scrolling, while 6:00–9:00 PM catches people thinking about dinner or winding down after the day.
On weekends, people have more free time and often browse for meal inspiration or fun dining ideas with friends and family, which makes engagement spike even higher.
Read also: How to do influencer marketing for restaurants to drive foot traffic and online orders
Healthcare & Fitness
Best TikTok posting schedule for sport content:
For healthcare and fitness content, timing is all about mindset. On Monday, users naturally feel motivated and open to habit changes, goal setting, and self-improvement, making them especially receptive to wellness content.
Tuesday supports follow-through, while Wednesday is all about reinforcement — viewers are looking for reassurance or small tweaks to routines they’ve already started. Morning posts line up with intention setting and daily planning, while early evening posts capture post-work reflection before mental fatigue sets in, giving your content the best chance to land and stick.
Read also: Healthcare influencer marketing 2026. Strategies & examples
Education
Best time to post on TikTok:
Educational content thrives when users are mentally ready to learn. By Tuesday, the Monday overload has faded, and people are more open to content that teaches, informs, or sparks curiosity.
Wednesday and Thursday hit the peak focus window of the week, making afternoons prime for engagement. Posting 3:00–6:00 PM works perfectly because viewers are alert after school or work, but not yet mentally drained, giving your content the best shot at attention, saves, and shares.
Gaming
Best time to post on TikTok to go viral:
Gaming audiences are most engaged when leisure time is uninterrupted. Friday through Sunday are prime because users fully transition into entertainment mode, making them more likely to watch clips, highlights, and live-style content.
Late evenings? They work best since gamers skew toward night activity, when immersion is highest and social interaction (comments, duets, and shares) is at its peak.
Read also: Gaming influencer marketing. Turn collabs into game installs
B2B
Best days: Tuesday–Thursday
Best times: 1:00–5:00 PM
Tuesday is the sweet spot for TikTok in a business context, while Wednesday and Thursday are when decision-makers are most mentally available and open to insights, tools, or frameworks.
Posting in the afternoon taps into those professional “mental breaks,” when people scroll without fully switching into personal mode.
Weekends, on the other hand, are best avoided. Business-focused intent drops sharply, and your content is much less likely to land.
Read also: How the pros do B2B influencer marketing. Tactics & hacks
The best time to post on Pinterest (by day of the week)
Pinterest is… different. It’s not a scrolling-for-dopamine platform like TikTok or Snapchat. It’s a planning engine. The main reason why people open Pinterest? To decide what to cook, buy, decorate, wear, plan, or save for “later me.”
That mindset is everything when it comes to the best times to post on Pinterest.
The best time to post on Pinterest on Monday
UK: 7–9 PM
US (EST): 8–11 PM
CET: 8–10 PM
PST: 7–10 PM
Monday nights work because people are mentally resetting. The weekend’s over, reality is back, and suddenly Pinterest becomes a low-effort escape that still feels productive.
That’s why the best time to post on Pinterest on Monday is in the evening, when users are finally off autopilot and ready to think about meals, workouts, outfits, or projects they’ll totally start tomorrow.By night, people are finally off autopilot and ready to think about meals, workouts, outfits, or projects they’ll totally start tomorrow.
The best time to post on Pinterest Tuesday
UK: 6–9 PM
US (EST): 7–10 PM
CET: 7–9 PM
PST: 6–9 PM
Tuesday is when routines lock in. People aren’t overwhelmed anymore — they’re operational. Pinterest fits perfectly here because it feeds that “let’s optimize life” energy. Tuesday evening browsing tends to be intentional: meal prep ideas, productivity setups, home upgrades. You’ll see stronger saves than clicks, because users are collecting ideas, not acting yet.
The best time to post on Pinterest Wednesday
UK: 5–8 PM
US (EST): 6–9 PM
CET: 6–8 PM
PST: 5–8 PM
Wednesday is peak “midweek reflection.” People are tired, slightly unmotivated, and quietly questioning their life choices. This is when aspirational content shines. Home décor, fashion inspo, wellness routines, future goals.
You’re catching users when they want a visual reset without commitment. That’s why early evening beats late night here — attention drops fast after 9 PM.
The best time to post on Pinterest Thursday
UK: 6–10 PM
US (EST): 7–11 PM
CET: 7–10 PM
PST: 6–10 PM
Thursday is when Pinterest really flexes. People start planning the weekend searching for dinners, outfits, events, mini makeovers. Engagement rises because intent rises.
This is a high-save, high-click day, especially for lifestyle, fashion, travel, and food content. If you had to pick one weekday to post high-value Pins, Thursday evening is it.
The best time to post on Pinterest Friday
UK: 3–6 PM
US (EST): 3–6 PM
CET: 3–6 PM
PST: 2–5 PM
Friday evenings drop off fast — people are done with screens and mentally clocked out. The best moment is late afternoon, when work slows down but plans haven’t started yet. This is when people casually scroll Pinterest while thinking, “What am I doing tonight?” or “What should I make this weekend?” Post too late and you miss them completely.
The best time to post on Pinterest Saturday
UK: 9–11 AM
US (EST): 10 AM–12 PM
CET: 9–11 AM
PST: 8–10 AM
The best time to post on Pinterest Saturday is mornings. People wake up slow, coffee in hand, no pressure — perfect conditions for browsing and saving. Once the day starts, Pinterest loses to real life. Errands, kids, plans, chaos. If you post after noon, you’re late to the party.
The best time to post on Pinterest Sunday
UK: 4–8 PM
US (EST): 5–9 PM
CET: 5–8 PM
PST: 4–7 PM
Sunday evening is all about future-self energy. That’s why content tied to routines, goals, organization, wellness, and personal growth performs best here. Pinterest becomes the bridge between “rest mode” and “Monday prep.
The best time to post on Snapchat
Snapchat lives in the micro-moments: boredom, waiting, late nights, and quick check-ins.
The best times to post on Snapchat are when people are killing time, not when they’re focused. That’s why late nights dominate. It’s intimate, casual, and impulsive. If Pinterest is a planner, Snapchat is a reflex.
The best Facebook posting schedule
Facebook rewards consistency and daytime posting.
Why? Facebook is still heavily used during work breaks, especially by older audiences and professionals. Evenings underperform because Facebook competes with streaming and messaging apps. Midday posts catch people when they’re half-working and half-scrolling.
The best times to post on social media for engagement
Across platforms, engagement peaks when:
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People are transitioning (morning, lunch, evening)
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Attention is fragmented but available
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The platform’s purpose matches the user’s mental state
To be more precise, the best times to post on social media for maximum engagement are usually weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., hitting mid-morning breaks or lunch hours. Wednesday often comes out on top overall. Timing varies by platform: mornings favor Facebook and LinkedIn, while late afternoons and evenings are better for Instagram and TikTok.
But… is it better to post on Saturday or Sunday?
Yes, Saturday usually wins but only if your content matches the mood. There’s no universal “best time.” There’s only best alignment between content, platform, and mindset.
The worst time to post on social media
❌ Before 9 AM your local time – People are in full-on morning chaos mode: rushing to work, juggling coffee, checking emails, or just trying to wake up. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook whatever platform scrolling is minimal, distracted, and half-hearted. Post here, and your content will probably vanish into the void before anyone even notices it.
❌ 11 AM–1 PM on weekdays – Mid-morning to lunch is tricky. Folks are either grinding at work, running errands, or just in that “can’t stop thinking about my to-do list” zone. Attention is scattered, and even if someone glances at their feed, they’re not really present.
❌ Early afternoons on weekends – Chores, errands, family stuff, brunch plans people are physically scrolling, maybe, but mentally? Not there. Your content ends up competing with a million little distractions.
❌ Late nights on Facebook or Pinterest – By now, most users are winding down or already asleep, and even the night owls aren’t in discovery mode. Engagement drops because people aren’t actively seeking inspiration, news, or entertainment.
How often should a business post on social media
More isn’t always better. Relevant and consistent wins. Bombarding feeds with low-value content will get ignored, but showing up with useful, timely posts keeps your audience expecting and engaging with you.
How often should I post on Instagram?
3–5 times per week. Enough to stay visible without sacrificing content quality. Posting at this rhythm keeps your feed alive and your audience tuned in without overwhelming them. It also gives you space to experiment with different formats: Reels, carousel posts, or Stories.
How often should I post on TikTok?
1–2 times per day if you can sustain it; otherwise, 3–5 times per week works. TikTok favors early engagement, so consistent posting gives the algorithm more opportunities to test your content.
Regular uploads also build audience habits.
How often should I post on YouTube?
1 long-form video per week + Shorts if possible. Long-form content takes time to plan, film, and edit, so one solid video a week ensures quality over quantity.
Shorts supplement that by keeping your channel active and appearing in the feed more often, while also feeding the algorithm snackable, high-engagement moments.
How often should I post on Twitter (X)?
1–3 times per day. Twitter rewards frequency and fast reactions. Posting multiple times a day helps you ride trending topics, news cycles, and real-time conversations.
How to find your own best times to post on social media
Here’s the guide that helps you find the data on the best time to post social media:
1. Start with native platform analytics
Every platform gives you a peek into when your followers are actually online.
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TikTok: Go to Creator Tools → Analytics → Followers. Scroll down to see Follower activity by hour and day. It tells you when your audience is scrolling, watching, and interacting.
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Instagram: Business or creator accounts have Insights. Go to Audience → Most Active Times and check both hours and days.
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LinkedIn & Twitter/X: Both show engagement peaks in your analytics dashboard. Look for when your posts historically get the most impressions, clicks, or comments.
Pro tip: Look for patterns over at least 4–6 weeks. One viral post doesn’t make a trend.
If you’re working with an influencer and want to post at the times their audience is most active, ask them for their analytics. If they’re unsure how to find it, feel free to send them this guide. It'll help them pull the right data.
2. Track content performance alongside posting time
Once you know when your audience is online, the next step is figuring out what kind of content actually works at those times. Start by looking back at your post history and seeing how each piece performed. For that, ake note of the day and hour it went live, and measure the engagement it got, from likes and shares to saves and comments.
On TikTok, don’t get distracted by likes alone; watch your view-through rate and average watch time. Those numbers tell you whether people are actually sticking around for your content or scrolling past.
For B2B campaigns, the ultimate test is whether your posts drive action: clicks, leads, or website visits. When timing aligns with the right type of content, that’s when you start seeing the real results, the kind that make your posting strategy feel less like guesswork and more like a science.
3. Test, rinse, repeat
Here’s where most brands stop — don’t. The real magic happens when you run your own timing experiments:
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Pick two or three time windows per day that seem promising.
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Post the same type of content in each window for 2–3 weeks.
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Compare engagement rates, watch time, saves, or conversions.
4. Document and iterate
Create a simple tracking sheet:
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Columns: Date, Time, Platform, Content Type, Engagement Metrics
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Rows: Every post you test
After a month, you’ll start seeing patterns and not just “likes go up at 6 PM.” You’ll know which time + content + platform combination actually moves business results.
Read also: Reach vs impresssions vs engagement. What matters in influencer ads
Want to have everything you need in one platform?
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Knowing the best time to post on social media for business is just the starting point. The real magic happens when you team up with creators who genuinely align with your brand values, your target location, and your audience.
With our platform, you can not only discover the right creators but also analyze their performance and track your collaborations over time, giving you historical insights for choosing optimal times to post on social media for your campaigns.
IQFluence is built for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and it’s designed for e-commerce brands, SaaS companies, MarTech, and agencies. Our database has over 230 million creators, giving you instant access to the people who can actually move your metrics.
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