The Best Times to Post on Social Media: A Guide for SMBs

Melody Jaimon • March 18, 2024

Editor's Note: Updated May 2025


Australians rank among the globe’s most engaged social media participants. As of January 2025, Facebook reached an estimated 22.7 million users nationwide—equating to a striking 83% of the population. With this massive audience base, strategically scheduling your content using a social media planner can significantly boost visibility and help cut through the digital clutter to connect meaningfully with your intended audience.


Best Time to Post on Social Media in General

Twitter App Icon

To build a sizeable following on any social media platform, you must create exciting and relevant content your audience wants to see. But, if you don't know the best time to post your content, most of them will never see it. 


The optimal times for sharing content across social media typically fall during mid-week mornings, midday slots, and early evenings. Engagement tends to peak on Wednesdays and Thursdays, particularly between 7–9 AM, 1–3 PM, and again from 7–9 PM, when users are more likely to be scrolling. These windows offer prime opportunities for your posts to be noticed and interacted with. On the flip side, Sundays often see the lowest levels of user activity, making them the least effective day for posting.


This article brings together data from multiple sources, using anonymized customer information and research from companies across the web. Instead of getting into the technical details of how social media algorithms work, it focuses on clear, practical insights you can use right away.


Now, let's find the best time to post on some of the most popular Social Media channels.



Instagram

Instagram on a smartphone

If you're aiming to drive more interaction on Instagram in 2025, timing your posts strategically is essential. Among the weekdays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays stand out as particularly strong performers, with high levels of interaction continuing until 4 PM.


On average, here are the best times to post on Instagram during the week within each time zone globally:


High-Engagement Days & Times:

  • Mondays: Peak engagement occurs between 10 AM and 3 PM, offering robust midday activity.
  • Tuesdays: Optimal posting is from 10 AM to 2 PM, reflecting strong midday audience interactions.
  • Wednesdays: Ideal engagement windows extend from 10 AM to 3 PM, consistently showing high user activity.
  • Thursdays: The best time to share content is between 10 AM and 3 PM, capturing sustained attention from morning to afternoon.
  • Fridays: Aim to post around 11 AM, as audience interaction tends to decrease slightly heading into the weekend.
  • Saturdays: Engagement remains moderate from 9 AM to 4 PM, despite typically lower weekend activity.
  • Sundays: Optimal posting times are narrower, from 10 AM to noon, and again at 3 PM, offering defined periods of increased user attention.


When refining your Instagram posting schedule, it's essential to consider a few key factors beyond general timing. Start by analysing your audience’s behaviour using Instagram Insights to understand when your followers are most active. Additionally, tailor your timing based on the content format—whether it's Reels, Stories, or standard feed posts—as each may perform better at different times. 


Specifically, when considering Instagram Reels, general recommendations align closely with these times, highlighting peak user activity between 10 AM and 2 PM on weekdays, extending slightly to 3 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.


Want to level up your hashtag game? Learn how to research and find the best Instagram hashtags.



Facebook

the Facebook app icon

Knowing the best time to post on Facebook can massively help your business stand out and reach more of your audience. As a matter of fact, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the best time to post on Facebook as numerous studies have been conducted on the subject which yielded different results. However, some conclusions were made in general across the globe.



Overall, the best time to post on Facebook globally is as follows.

Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Early work hours provide strong engagement as users transition into the week.


Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The early workday continues to show high user responsiveness.

Wednesday: 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Notably strong performance, with dual peaks making it a high-potential posting day.

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mirrors Tuesday’s engagement pattern—ideal for A/B testing and content iteration.

Friday: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Audience attention shortens ahead of the weekend; early posts yield the best results.

Saturday: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
While overall engagement is lower, morning slots remain viable.

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Engagement is softer throughout the day; schedule only high-performing content.


Ever wondered what strategies could significantly boost your Facebook presence? Check out our blog on
how to increase your organic reach on Facebook.



TikTok

Opening the TikTok app

TikTok is a well-known platform for short videos that has experienced tremendous growth, especially among younger generations in different time zones. 


With over 2.65 billion global monthly visits, and 82% of Gen Z users actively engaged, TikTok presents an exceptional opportunity for businesses to build awareness, spark conversations and foster brand loyalty. However, it will still depend on your objectives and target audience, so posting on TikTok might be advantageous for various reasons.


Remember that TikTok content demands an original and visually appealing approach. Popular post videos frequently show music, effects, humour, and brief narration. Before uploading, it's a good idea to get familiar with the TikTok platform's culture, trends, and preferences. For the best outcomes, posting times should be considered, and you should also modify your amazing post content to reflect your target market and successful brand personality.


When should you post on TikTok for the highest engagement each day?

Monday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Afternoon hours are prime for reaching users as they re-engage after the weekend.

Tuesday: 5:00 PM
This hour is a high-traffic window—schedule strong visual content here for impact.

Wednesday: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The most effective day for publishing content. Brands see up to 4x more engagement compared to earlier in the week.

Thursday: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Late afternoon slots remain strong; ideal for rolling out creative campaigns or informative content.

Friday: 5:00 PM
End-of-week engagement drops slightly, but 5 PM still holds value.

Saturday: 9:00 – 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
Early morning and late arvo are the best windows—especially for casual, lifestyle or entertainment-driven content.

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
While overall interaction declines, morning to late afternoon is your best bet.


Success on TikTok isn’t just about joining trends—it’s about timing your message with precision. By understanding and applying these key posting windows, Australian brands can turn visibility into measurable value.


Twitter

Twitter logo becomes X logo

Despite evolving social media strategies and brand repositioning, X (formerly Twitter) remains a go-to platform for real-time dialogue and news consumption. With 50% of consumers maintaining active profiles on the platform, X still plays a vital role in digital marketing and customer engagement strategies.


Whether it's breaking news, industry insights, or timely commentary, brands continue to find value on X—particularly when posting during high-engagement timeframes.



The platform uses a deliberate message size restriction to make engaging content scan-friendly: by default, each post is limited to 280 characters or less. The constrained word count encourages concise and witty writing, which makes tweets simple to read but challenging to compose. Twitter, as it was initially known, became a well-liked social media platform due to the constraint, which started at 140 characters.


The best time to post on X (formerly Twitter) each day:

Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
As weekly activity resumes, engagement starts to build from late morning.

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesdays offer extended windows for interaction, making it a strong day for thought leadership and brand news.

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The best performing day—ideal for content campaigns, announcements and customer interaction.

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Similar to Tuesday—an ideal time to share timely posts, opinion pieces or news reactions.

Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
As the week winds down, earlier time slots perform best. Schedule updates and light content in the morning.

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Engagement is lighter, but still present—early afternoon is your best opportunity.

Sunday: 12:00 PM
Sunday sees the lowest engagement, but a well-placed post around noon may still gain traction.



LinkedIn

Welcome to Linkedin signage on glass

LinkedIn is quite different from the other social platforms on this list because it consists more of a niche audience. LinkedIn attracts more professionals and career-focused people looking to network with others in their industry or gain insights for professional development. However, while the overall audience is smaller than other networks, its unique focus can attract more leads via an organic posting schedule. For this reason, your posts can hold more value, especially for B2B companies, so seeing your content is highly significant and posting time is essential.



The best time to post on LinkedIn is indicated below:

Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A strong start to the week. Professionals are catching up on updates, making this an ideal time for company news or long-form insights.

Tuesday: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Late morning remains a prime time for interaction. Use this slot to share thought leadership or industry updates.

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Midweek sees sustained engagement, perfect for in-depth articles or culture highlights.

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The best-performing day of the week. Ideal for key announcements, lead-generation content, or partner showcases.

Friday: 10:00 AM
Activity begins to taper, but the midmorning hour still yields strong engagement.

Saturday: 9:00 AM
Engagement dips, but morning posts may still reach users starting their weekend with professional reading.

Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Moderate engagement throughout the day, offering opportunities for brand storytelling or reflective content.



Google Business Profile

Google My Business on a tablet

Research has suggested that businesses that post once per day in Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) have seen good results and improved rankings. The secret is that Google tends to look favourably at businesses that use Google products more often. However, keep in mind that only the most recent Google post is visible in a search, so if there is some significant news, offer or sale you want people to see, it might be a good idea not to have another post for the next six days. Otherwise, that post will be buried behind the fresh posts. Consider this when figuring out how often to post to Google Business Profile.



When is the optimal time to publish on Google Business Profile?

Monday: 8:00 – 10:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Start-of-week searches spike as users plan their activities and appointments.

Tuesday: 7:00 – 9:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Early risers engage more—ideal for promoting weekday offers or services.

Wednesday: 8:00 – 10:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Midweek is about maintaining momentum—schedule updates to stay top-of-mind.

Thursday: 7:00 – 9:00 AM & 1:00 – 5:00 PM
A strong day for longer visibility—afternoon engagement extends into late arvo.

Friday: 8:00 – 10:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Pre-weekend planning drives high engagement—ideal for dining, events or retail offers.

Saturday: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Capture morning browsers planning their day or exploring leisure options.

Sunday: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Engage users preparing for the upcoming week—perfect for appointment-based businesses or promotions.


Need a GMB listing optimisation advice that actually works? Here's the fastest way to optimise your Google My Business listing.



Pinterest

Pinterest illustration

While Pinterest is majorly overlooked as a marketing platform, it can be a powerful tool for businesses if used correctly. If your content marketing strategy needs good visuals, getting on Pinterest is appropriate.



What is the best time to post on Pinterest each day?

Monday: 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Monday evenings are particularly active as users ease into the week and begin casual planning.

Tuesday: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Evening engagement peaks continue. It's a great time for pins related to midweek recipes, lifestyle tips or seasonal projects.

Wednesday: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Users begin planning their weekend. Ideal for DIY projects, event inspiration or backyard décor ideas.

Thursday: 8:00 PM
While engagement is lower overall, this evening slot remains consistently effective.

Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Late afternoon is ideal as users start thinking about weekend activities, outfits, and shopping lists.

Saturday: 6:00 – 7:00 PM & 11:00 PM
Evenings are the strongest. Late-night planners often pin ideas for events, hobbies or leisure.

Sunday: 8:00 PM
Sunday evenings are prime for planners. Use this slot to reach users who are preparing for the week ahead.


If you are keen on improving your social media content management, we can be your social media marketer and help you craft effective posts that can get the highest engagement! Schedule a coaching session with us today by clicking on the button below.



YouTube

man opening YouTube app

For businesses, YouTube offers the opportunity to build trust, demonstrate expertise and reach audiences where they’re most engaged—through video. But with so much content published daily, visibility comes down to more than just quality. Knowing the best time to post can significantly improve your performance metrics—including views, watch time and subscriber growth.



When is the optimal time to upload content on YouTube?

Monday: 1:00 PM
Early afternoon is prime—audiences return to regular viewing routines after the weekend.

Tuesday: 1:00 PM
Viewer activity begins to build, making 1 PM a strategic window for brand visibility.

Wednesday: 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Midweek offers double engagement peaks—ideal for series drops or multi-part content.

Thursday: 1:00 PM
Consistent engagement throughout the afternoon. It is a strong choice for scheduled publishing.

Friday: 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Engagement starts to taper into the weekend but remains active through midday.

Saturday: 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
While overall engagement is lower, these hours still outperform the rest of the day.

Sunday: 1:00 PM
Late afternoon sees a brief spike as audiences wrap up the weekend and plan for the week ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    • What time is the highest traffic on Instagram?

      The peak traffic time on Instagram is 11:00 AM on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This late morning slot reflects a daily rhythm where users are active during breaks, checking in between meetings or browsing content as part of their mid-morning routine.

    • What time is the highest traffic on Facebook?

      Occurs between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM on weekdays, with peak engagement typically around 9:00 AM. This timeframe aligns with users checking their feeds early in the day—often during commutes, morning routines, or just before starting work. Engagement is consistently strong from Monday through Friday, as people turn to Facebook to catch up on news, updates, and community posts. Posting during this window increases the likelihood of early interactions, which boosts visibility in the feed and enhances overall post performance.

    • What time is the highest traffic on TikTok?

      Typically occurs between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Wednesdays, making mid-to-late afternoon the prime window for visibility and engagement. This period reflects peak user activity when audiences are looking for entertainment or a quick break from their day. Overall, weekday afternoons—especially from Tuesday to Thursday—show the strongest engagement, with Wednesday consistently ranking as the best day to post content. Posting during these peak hours gives your videos the best chance of gaining traction, appearing on the For You Page, and reaching broader audiences.

    • What time is the highest traffic on Twitter?

      The highest traffic on Twitter (now known as X) typically peaks between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on Wednesdays, with sustained engagement throughout the late morning and early afternoon. This aligns with users checking in during work hours to follow breaking news, live events, and trending topics. Tuesdays and Thursdays also show strong traffic during similar timeframes, making midweek mornings and early afternoons the most effective for reaching active audiences and sparking conversations.

    • What time is the highest traffic on LinkedIn?

      The highest traffic on LinkedIn occurs between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Thursdays, making late morning the most effective window for professional engagement. Activity on the platform aligns closely with traditional business hours, with Tuesday to Thursday being the most active days overall. Mid-mornings during the workweek are ideal for posting thought leadership content, industry news, and company updates, as professionals are most likely to browse LinkedIn before lunch or between meetings.

    • What time is the highest traffic on Google Business Profile?

      Typically occurs between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays, especially on Mondays and Fridays. During these morning hours, users are actively searching for local businesses, services, and directions as they plan their day. Another notable engagement window appears in the afternoon between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, when users take breaks or prepare for errands. Posting during these peak periods helps maximise visibility in local search results and encourages timely customer actions such as calls, bookings, or visits.

    • What time is the highest traffic on Pinterest?

      The best time to post on Pinterest for higher traffic is in the evening between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, particularly on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. These late hours align with when users are most likely to be in planning mode—saving ideas for meals, projects, events, and purchases for the week ahead. Pinterest engagement tends to rise after typical work hours, making evenings the optimal time to post content and reach audiences actively looking for inspiration and actionable ideas.

    • What time is the highest traffic on YouTube?

      The highest traffic on YouTube consistently peaks at 1:00 PM across all days of the week, with additional engagement surges at 10:00 AM on Wednesdays and Fridays. This midday window aligns with users taking breaks or actively searching for content to watch during lunch hours. While audience behaviour varies slightly by region and niche, posting around 1:00 PM gives videos the best chance to gain early momentum, boosting visibility through increased views and longer watch times.

    • What is the best time to post on social media in Australia, and why?

      The platform you're using, your target audience, and the kind of material you're sharing can all affect the best time for you to publish on social media in Australia.

      You can hire social media marketers who use platform insights, analytics tools, and A/B testing to determine your social media usage and uncover the best time to post for your specific audience and objectives while developing your social media strategy.

    • Is your social media post timing important?

      Yes, social media usage can significantly affect your visibility, engagement, and effectiveness. Hiring social media managers is effective because they understand that the best time to post can vary based on the platform, your target audience, and their behaviours.

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