The Best Times to Post on Social Media in 2025

Timing matters on social media. Post when your audience is asleep, and your content dies in obscurity. Post when they're actively scrolling, and you dramatically increase your chances of engagement.

But here's the truth most guides won't tell you: the "best" posting time is different for every business. While we'll share research-backed general guidelines, the real answer lies in your own analytics.

This guide provides starting points based on UK audience behaviour, plus teaches you how to find your specific optimal times.

Understanding How Timing Affects Reach

Social media algorithms prioritise content that gets engagement quickly after posting. When you post at the right time:

• More of your followers see your content immediately
• Early engagement signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable
• The algorithm then shows your content to even more people
• This creates a snowball effect of visibility

Post at the wrong time, and you're fighting an uphill battle from the start.

Best Times to Post on Instagram (UK)

General Recommendations

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 7-8 AM, 12-1 PM, 7-9 PM
• Worst time: 3-4 AM

Why These Times Work

Morning (7-8 AM): People check phones during their morning routine and commute

Lunch (12-1 PM): Work break scrolling is peak Instagram time

Evening (7-9 PM): Post-dinner wind-down is prime social media time

Instagram Reels Timing

Reels have a longer shelf life than feed posts, but posting during active hours still helps initial momentum. Consider posting Reels slightly earlier (around 6-7 PM) to catch the evening engagement wave.

Best Times to Post on Facebook (UK)

General Recommendations

• Best days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Best times: 9 AM, 1-3 PM
• Worst time: Early morning (before 7 AM) and late night

Why These Times Work

Facebook's user base skews slightly older than Instagram. Many users check Facebook during work hours (sorry, employers) and during lunch breaks. Wednesday through Friday tends to see higher engagement as people look forward to the weekend.

Best Times to Post on LinkedIn (UK)

General Recommendations

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 7-8 AM, 12 PM, 5-6 PM
• Worst times: Weekends, evenings after 8 PM

Why These Times Work

LinkedIn is a professional platform, so it follows work patterns. Early morning catches people before work begins, lunch is a natural break, and end-of-day allows for professional development time. Weekends see dramatically lower engagement.

Best Times to Post on Twitter/X (UK)

General Recommendations

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 8-10 AM, 12 PM
• More flexibility: Twitter content has a shorter lifespan, so posting more frequently throughout the day works

Why These Times Work

Twitter users often check in during morning news consumption and lunch breaks. The platform moves fast, so timeliness and relevance matter more than on other platforms.

Best Times to Post on TikTok (UK)

General Recommendations

• Best days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• Best times: 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM
• Also good: 12 PM, 3 PM

Why These Times Work

TikTok's audience tends younger and is most active during leisure time—evenings and weekends. The algorithm gives every video a chance regardless of when it's posted, but posting during active hours helps initial engagement.

How to Find YOUR Best Posting Times

General guidelines are starting points, but your specific audience may behave differently. Here's how to find your optimal times:

Step 1: Check Your Analytics

Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn all show when your followers are most active:

• Instagram: Insights → Your Audience → Most Active Times
• Facebook: Insights → Posts → When Your Fans Are Online
• LinkedIn: Analytics → Followers → Demographics includes activity patterns

Step 2: Test Different Times

For 4-6 weeks, experiment with posting at different times. Track engagement for each post, noting the day and time posted.

Step 3: Analyse Results

After your testing period, identify patterns. Which posting times consistently get better engagement? These are your optimal times.

Step 4: Adjust Seasonally

Behaviour patterns change with seasons, holidays, and major events. Re-evaluate your timing quarterly.

Beyond Timing: Factors That Matter More

While timing is important, these factors often have a bigger impact on your reach:

• Content quality: A great post at a mediocre time beats a mediocre post at the perfect time
• Consistency: Regular posting builds audience habits and algorithm favour
• Engagement: How quickly you respond to comments affects visibility
• Relevance: Content that resonates with your audience spreads further

Don't obsess over perfect timing at the expense of content quality. The best strategy is great content posted consistently at good (not necessarily perfect) times.

Quick Reference Chart

Platform	Best Days	Best Times (UK)
Instagram	Tue, Wed, Thu	7-8 AM, 12-1 PM, 7-9 PM
Facebook	Wed, Thu, Fri	9 AM, 1-3 PM
LinkedIn	Tue, Wed, Thu	7-8 AM, 12 PM, 5-6 PM
Twitter/X	Tue, Wed, Thu	8-10 AM, 12 PM
TikTok	Tue, Thu, Fri	7-9 PM