Best Time for a Facebook Post
Primetime Posts Mastering the Facebook Algorithm for Maximum Engagement
The pixels blink 5 AM. Another early alarm. But does sunrise scheduling win more Facebook followers than strategic nights and weekends? The timing truth might surprise you!
Did you know that the best time to post on Facebook can significantly impact your engagement and reach? According to recent studies, the optimal time to capture your audience’s attention is between 8 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The best time for a Facebook post generally depends on your audience’s online habits, but typically, mid-morning to early afternoon on weekdays is effective. These times often align with higher user activity, increasing the chances of your post being seen and engaged with.
- Concentrate weekdays before 3 PM, especially Tuesday-Thursday mornings
- Tailor to audience habits – don’t force early risers for night owl fans
- Balance weekday intensity with relaxed weekend personality
- Leverage insights to validate your niche’s ideal times
- Keep testing – the algorithm evolves so your strategy should too
Determining the best time to post on Facebook requires testing different times and tracking engagement metrics for your specific audience. However, studies have uncovered some general Facebook posting trends:
| Day | Best Time to Post |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6 am – 4 pm EST |
| Tuesday | 7 am – 4 pm EST, Peak: 8 am – Noon |
| Wednesday | 7 am – 4 pm EST |
| Thursday | 6 am – 4 pm EST, Peak: 8 am – Noon |
| Friday | 7 am – 4 pm EST, Peak: 10 am |
| Saturday | 8 am – 3 pm EST |
| Sunday | 9 am – 4 pm EST |
| Weekend Peak (Sunday) | 9 am – 10 am EST |
SocialPilot analyzed over 3 million posts and found highest click-through rates during three periods: mornings between 7-9 AM, early afternoons 1-3 PM, and evenings 7-9 PM. Posting on weekdays also generally outperforms weekends, with Wednesday and Thursday topping the charts.
Influencer Marketing Hub’s research spotted a midweek boost around lunchhours. Facebook users demonstrate more consistent engagement from Monday through Friday, especially 9 AM to 3 PM. Specific surge times pinpointed include Wednesdays at 11 AM and 1 PM.
10 AM emerges as a hot spot as well for multiple analysts. Buffer’s data isolated 10 AM on Fridays for prime exposure while SocialPilot also flagged Friday mornings in the top three.
The Facebook algorithm favors posts published when your target demographic is actively scrolling their feeds. So consider time zones and schedules when experimenting to find the sweet spot based on their online habits. Mix up weekday/weekend tests measuring when your followers convert best.
The worst time to post on Facebook
The worst times to post on Facebook are typically during late-night hours (10 PM – 6 AM) when most people are sleeping. Additionally, posting during regular work hours (9 AM – 5 PM) on weekdays might lead to lower engagement, as people are occupied with their jobs and have less time for social media.
The least ideal times to post on Facebook are during late-night hours and traditional work hours (9 AM – 5 PM). The worst days to post on Facebook are usually weekends, specifically Saturdays and Sundays, as engagement might be lower during these days due to people having more leisure activities and spending less time on social media.
Best Time to Post on Facebook on Weekdays
If you want to maximize your Facebook engagement on weekdays, it’s important to determine the best time to post that aligns with your specific audience’s online habits and behaviors.
When it comes to international audiences, timing becomes even more pertinent. Consider the time zones of your target audience and schedule your posts accordingly.
For local businesses, it’s best to understand the peak times when your local customers are most active on Facebook. Analyze your data and use social media management tools to identify these optimal posting times.
The best time to post on Facebook varies depending on the source, but there are some common trends. According to various studies and social media management platforms, the best times to post on Facebook are as follows:
- Monday: 6 am to 4 pm EST.
- Tuesday: 7 am to 4 pm EST
- Wednesday: 7 am to 4 pm EST
- Thursday: 6 am to 4 pm EST
- Friday: 7 am to 4 pm EST
- Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm EST
- Sunday: 11 am to 4 pm EST
The overall best time to post on Facebook is between 8 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Experiment with different times and analyze the results to find the perfect posting schedule for your business.
Note that the best time to post may vary based on your specific audience, and it’s recommended to use social media scheduling tools and analyze your own audience’s engagement patterns to determine the optimal posting times.
Best Time to Post on Facebook on Weekends
While weekdays may be the most effective days to post on Facebook, weekends offer a unique opportunity to connect with your audience in a more relaxed and playful manner.
The best times to post on Facebook on weekends are as follows:
- Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST
The peak hours to post on Sunday are 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. EST, with activity gradually dropping after that
Best Time to Post on Facebook for Morning Engagement
The peak times for morning Facebook engagement occur on weekdays roughly between 9-11 AM based on multiple studies.
Buffer’s analytics determined Fridays at 10 AM posts received high engagement. Additional weekday spikes happen Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 AM and 9 AM respectively.
Hootsuite similarly concluded Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to noon offered prime visibility. So the Tuesday-Thursday corridor seems especially fruitful.
However, the best posting times differ depending on your audience and their online habits. Leverage Facebook Insights data to deduce when your particular followers are most actively scrolling. Plot engagement rates over the hours of the day and days of the week to identify patterns.
Experiment posting content during various morning windows and compare metrics. Measure interactions, reach, clicks, shares and follower growth for each test period. This will empirically validate the optimal morning timing in your niche to inform an evidence-based posting strategy. Tailor timing to your audience rather than generic best practices.
By posting during these hours, you have a better chance of reaching a larger audience and generating more interactions. However, it’s important to note that the best time to post on Facebook for morning engagement may differ depending on the industry you’re in.
For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry, you might find that Mondays and Fridays are particularly active for your target audience. To determine the best posting times for your specific audience, make sure to analyze your Facebook Insights and experiment with different posting times.
Best Time to Post on Facebook for Evening Engagement
To maximize evening engagement on Facebook, understand the specific online activity patterns of your audience.
Weekday early evenings tend to perform well, with the 8 PM hour called out. SocialPilot’s analysis of over 3 million Facebook posts saw high click-through rates from 7 PM to 9 PM.
More specifically, Sprout Social’s metrics identified Tuesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM as an evening engagement hot spot. Wednesdays sustain interaction from the late morning through 8 PM coming out on top for overall evening activity.
Late afternoon crossing into the early evening also shows promise, especially Thursdays. HubSpot noted consistent user activity flows through 6 PM on Thursdays after peaking around 3 PM.
Leverage Facebook Insights to study your posts’ performance across the evening hours. Plot engagement rates over time to visualize when dropoffs typically start accelerating. The sweet spot likely falls within the broader trends but aligned to when your followers specifically remain active.
Late night Facebook engagement can be quite significant, as people often wind down their day by scrolling through their news feed. So, what strategies can you employ to increase your Facebook post reach in the evening?
- Analyzing past performance
- Testing and tweaking
- Asking your audience
- Being consistent
Test scheduling content during the various recommended evenings tracking reach, engagement and conversions. Let data guide your optimal evening posting strategy for bottom line impact rather than guesswork.
These timing strategies are all key in optimizing your Facebook engagement. Additionally, considering factors like the type of content you’re sharing, your industry, and utilizing social media marketing platforms can help you optimize your Facebook engagement.
Don’t neglect the power of the evening hours – it’s a prime time to connect with your audience and make a lasting impression.
