As social media marketers strive to increase visibility for their content, a primary question arises: what is the optimal time to post on Facebook? The answer hinges on multiple factors, including your business’s sector, your intended audience, the goals you aim to achieve, and the nature of the content itself—all of which contribute to the effectiveness of your posts.
With insights from our Data Science team, we have examined close to 2 billion social media interactions across 400,000 social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and X. Therefore, we’re equipped to identify the most effective times to post on Facebook.
Ranked as the third most visited website in the world, just after Google and YouTube, and with nearly 3 billion active users each month, Facebook’s influence is indisputable. Given the vast potential for engagement, understanding how to time your postings on Facebook can significantly enhance your social media strategy.
Discover the best times to post on Facebook through a free trial of Sprout Social and take advantage of our ViralPost® feature.
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Disclaimer: Sprout Social data encompasses users from various plan levels, industries, and locations. All times are recorded globally (not limited to Central Time), so you should be able to post according to the given times in any time zone and achieve positive engagement results. The engagement numbers reflect total interactions a brand received on each platform during the corresponding hour. Industry-specific data presents mid- to high-level engagement times. Testing with your own accounts is advisable to discover the most effective posting times.
What is the optimal time for posting on Facebook?
- Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Best days for posting on Facebook: Mondays through Thursdays
- Worst days for posting on Facebook: Sundays
Indeed, Facebook continues to be the most popular platform among marketers globally, with 89%, and holds 3.05 billion monthly active users (that’s billion). The effect Facebook has on our interactions with social media as users and marketers is significant. Compared to the previous year, high engagement windows on Facebook are still seen in mid-mornings during weekdays and align with typical business hours.
The ideal posting windows for Facebook fall between Mondays and Fridays, primarily from 9 a.m. to early afternoon, typically ending around 2 p.m. What does this imply for marketers? The majority of users are taking brief moments away from their routines to scroll through Facebook, making this the prime time to schedule posts intended for audience interaction.
By implementing a strong Facebook marketing strategy, companies can engage the right audiences with their posts, whether keeping them updated about products or providing access to exclusive promotions. Remember, engagement stems from a mix of how often you post on social media as well as the types of content shared.
What are the prime days and times for posting on Facebook?
While we know the overall best times to post on Facebook, what about specifics for each day of the week?
For the optimal day and time to post on Facebook, examine the analysis provided below.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Mondays
The prime time to post on Facebook on Mondays is between 9 a.m. and noon. While there is fair engagement from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the most effective times for sending posts and engaging audiences occur in the hours leading up to lunch.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Tuesdays
The optimal posting times on Facebook for Tuesdays range from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again at 5 p.m., despite notable engagement happening throughout the entire business day.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Wednesdays
The ideal times for posting on Facebook on Wednesdays are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again at 5 p.m., making this one of the most dynamic days for publishing within the platform.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Thursdays
Much like Wednesdays, the best times for posting on Facebook on Thursdays are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then at 5 p.m.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Fridays
Fridays see optimal posting times from 9 to 11 a.m., indicating that users are starting to shift into weekend mode. However, the entire workday remains conducive to user engagement on the app.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Saturdays
On Saturdays, the best time to post is between 8 and 11 a.m., relative to the rest of the day. Generally, Saturdays exhibit decreased engagement when compared to weekdays on most social platforms. Even on Facebook, a substantial drop is observed on weekends compared to weekdays.
Optimal posting times for Facebook on Sundays
For Sundays, the best posting time on Facebook is between 9 to 11 a.m. Similar to Saturdays, engagement appears to be lower throughout the day across various social platforms.
What is the best time to post on Facebook in the UK?
In the UK, the most effective time for posting on Facebook is during weekdays from 9 a.m. until the early afternoon. Engagement typically wanes after 2 p.m. on most days, with Fridays seeing a decline even sooner after 11 a.m. The prime days for posting on Facebook are Mondays to Thursdays, while Friday to Sunday shows a shorter duration of high engagement. Despite growing competition from different social platforms, Facebook continues to be the leading social media platform in the UK, claiming 62% market share. If Facebook is where your followers are, bear in mind that engagement levels vary across industries and content types, but identifying the best posting times serves as a solid starting point.
What is the optimal time to post on Facebook by industry?
While there may be a desire for a definitive answer regarding the best posting times on Facebook, we can only offer insights based on the available data. The industry is one of several determinants that influence the success of your social posts.
Utilize this industry-level data to shape your publishing schedule and experiment with your most effective posting times through social media experiments.
Optimal posting times for hospitals & healthcare
- Best times for posting on Facebook for Hospitals & Healthcare:
- Most weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., especially:
- Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
- Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Most weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., especially:
- Best days to post on Facebook for Hospitals & Healthcare: Tuesdays through Thursdays
- Worst days to post on Facebook for Hospitals & Healthcare: Sundays
Healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics, utilize social media for more than just responding to healthcare emergencies. They leverage social media to inform the public, help patients feel more comfortable with healthcare visits, promote training programs for aspiring physicians, and solidify their standing in the community.
The prime time for hospitals to post on Facebook is more focused than the previous year, with weekdays typically showing strong engagement around 9 a.m. The peak times for hospital posts on Facebook remain consistent at Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5 p.m.
Resources for hospital and healthcare social media
Optimal posting times for restaurants
- Best times to post on Facebook for Restaurants:
- Mondays at 11 a.m.
- Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fridays at 11 a.m.
- Best days to post on Facebook for Restaurants: Most weekdays, with heightened activity on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Worst days to post on Facebook for Restaurants: Sundays
The increase in online orders and food delivery service apps in recent years has transformed how restaurants engage with their audiences. Restaurants observed nearly double the engagement on Facebook from last year’s analysis.
Engagement for those in the food and beverage sector is relatively consistent between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on most weekdays. Notably, the best times to post on Facebook for restaurants occur right before or around lunchtime: Mondays at 11 a.m., Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Fridays at 11 a.m.
Different platforms provide unique opportunities for businesses to connect with their customers. Tailoring promotions and updates for each social platform will keep your restaurant top of mind for potential diners.
Social media resources for restaurants
Optimal posting times for schools & education
- Best times to post on Facebook for Schools & Education:
- Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Sundays at 9 a.m.
- Best days to post on Facebook for Schools & Education:
- All weekdays, with particular emphasis on Wednesdays through Fridays
- Worst days to post on Facebook for Schools & Education:
- Sundays
Higher education institutions and schools have seen a significant uptick in high engagement times on Facebook compared to last year’s findings. It is important to note that some institutions manage multiple profiles (for different colleges, athletic programs, etc.) to match these needs and effectively target distinct audiences at opportune moments.
Great opportunities for engagement in educational institutions reflect a typical workweek. Posting from Mondays through Fridays between either 9 or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. represents the best times for schools and educational organizations. Don’t overlook weekends either: Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Sundays at 9 a.m. also see notable engagement for this sector.
From sharing highlights of student life to providing school updates, a social media plan for educational institutions must fulfill multiple objectives: from engaging current, past, and future students to maintaining brand awareness.
Resources for schools and education on social media
Optimal posting times for travel & hospitality
- Best times to post on Facebook for Travel & Hospitality:
- Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m.
- Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Best days to post on Facebook for Travel & Hospitality: Tuesdays through Thursdays
- Worst days to post on Facebook for Travel & Hospitality: Fridays
The travel and hospitality sectors have experienced a distinctive shift in engagement on Facebook. Compared to the previous year, businesses in hospitality adapted their strategies in response to the post-pandemic resurgence in travel, resulting in heightened returns throughout most of the day.
The most favorable times for travel and hospitality brands to post on Facebook are consistently throughout the week: Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Engagement on weekends is also notable, particularly on Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In general, Facebook engagement for travel and hospitality industries peaks midday nearly every day, as individuals prepare for weekend getaways.
Social media resources for travel and hospitality
- How three brands utilize social media to enhance customer experiences
- How Sprout Social keeps NJ TRANSIT’s social strategy on point
- Success strategies at scale with the help of Sprout Social’s comprehensive platform
- How to develop an effective travel social media marketing plan
- Managing multiple social media accounts effectively
How to identify your optimal posting times on social media
Social marketers can enhance their content planning when they are armed with data. As platforms evolve, both brands and consumers will shift their engagement tactics. Remaining aware of emerging content formats and evolving trends could help you connect with your audience in new ways or uncover new segments and personas to target.
Finding your best time to post on Facebook via Insights
While you might be eager to post during these optimal engagement times as part of your strategy, consider complementing this data with your own Facebook data analysis. You might find that your specific target demographic is active at different times.
To identify your best posting times using Facebook Insights, follow these steps:
- Log into your Facebook Page account (not your personal profile) on either mobile or desktop.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner (you may also see three horizontal lines on mobile) and select Professional dashboard.
- To find posts published in a specific timeframe, choose:
- Content (on desktop).
- Insights (on mobile).
- To locate your top engaging Facebook posts on desktop:
- Modify the time span filter to the last 90, 60, 28, or 7 days.
- Sort by Engagement
- Your most engaging post will show in descending order.
- To find your Facebook posts with highest engagement on mobile:
- Select See all next to Performance then Engagement
- Scroll to Recent Content and select See all.
- As on desktop, filter by date range and by Engagement.
- Review this list, examining your top-performing posts to identify trends regarding day, time, and content types (for example, text, image, or video).
Finding your ideal posting times on Facebook with Sprout Social
A social media management tool like Sprout Social can assist you in delving into your analytics and generating customized insights for your accounts across all platforms, both collectively and individually. Gain competitive insights by contrasting your performance with that of your competitors, uncovering new opportunities for user engagement.
With features like post tagging and cross-network reporting, you can differentiate various factors such as post author or content types, and analyze how posting times have impacted your social success.
Sprout’s proprietary ViralPost® technology employs the same data we utilized to analyze all customer accounts to identify the optimal posting times tailored specifically for your account. The ViralPost® feature algorithmically calculates results for our Optimal Send Times feature, available in all subscription plans. Our unique machine learning feature is not entirely new, yet we are continuously enhancing our product to assist brands in quickly extracting insights. Our mission is to empower users of our product to work more efficiently.
With Optimal Send Times, the specific timings given are based on when your audience engages the most according to your posting history. Additionally, the ViralPost® feature continuously updates and refines itself to save you the effort of repeated analysis, allowing you to focus more on crafting engaging content.
Interested in seeing it for yourself? Register for a free 30-day trial of Sprout Social or request a personalized demonstration to experience it hands-on.
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If you wish to delve deeper into our findings from this year’s customer data study, explore the best posting times across eight industries for these platforms:
How Sprout collected the data
We recognize that these reports may prompt questions regarding the source of our data. Hence, we seek to clarify how we obtained the relevant information.
The Data Science team at Sprout Social obtains this data by scrutinizing nearly 2 billion engagements across 400,000 social media profiles, focusing on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
The article Optimal times to post on Facebook 2024 was first published on Sprout Social.
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