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Best Time to Post on Facebook in 2024
If Facebook is one of the key platforms you use for marketing and selling, one question probably crosses your mind often: When is the best time to post on Facebook? If only it were as simple as setting a timer.
Getting the timing right on Facebook requires strategic planning as well as insights — because posting at the wrong moment could mean all your hard work goes unseen.
Like most things in social media, timing depends on a mix of factors — your industry, your audience, your geography, your social media goals and the kind of content you’re sharing, to name a few.
Today, we've come up with answers. Our team conducted a detailed study of nearly 1200 company accounts to pinpoint the best times to post on Facebook. On top of that, we analyzed various social media engagements across many profiles — spanning Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) — to dig into the specifics of when you should hit 'Post' on Facebook.
So, let’s break down the optimal posting times on Facebook and how they can boost your reach and engagement.
Why posting times matter on Facebook
Facebook might feel like your go-to place for scrolling through everyone’s life updates, but when it comes to posting, timing can make or break your engagement.
Here's why post timing matters in your Facebook marketing strategy just as much as that epic content you’re putting out there.
1. Facebook’s algorithm loves early engagement
Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t show posts chronologically; instead, it prioritizes content that’s getting immediate attention. If your post starts generating likes, comments and shares as soon as it’s posted, the Facebook algorithm takes it as a “good content signal”and starts boosting it to more user feeds.
If you post when your audience isn’t active, your engagement will be low and Facebook won’t bother showing it to more people because the algorithm assumes your content is not relevant.
Learn more: 6 Major Social Media Algorithms Explained (+ Bonus Tips)
2. Better timing = higher engagement = higher ROI
Whenever you post on Facebook, you're investing time, effort and possibly money (especially if you're boosting posts or running ads). If your posts land when your audience scrolls through their feeds, you can expect to see a more assured return on that investment — whether in the form of likes, shares, or conversions. In short, the more engagement your post receives, the more Facebook will promote it, which not only improves your results but can also reduce your advertising costs.
Learn more: What is Facebook Advertising & How to do it
3. Competitive edge
Posting at the best times on Facebook gives you an advantage over competitors who may be posting randomly.
How this works: Imagine two similar brands posting on the same day. One post is at 8 AM, when people are just starting their day and the other post is at 1 PM, right when users are taking a lunch break and checking their feeds. Which post gets more attention? The 1 PM post, hands down. This timing gives you a competitive edge — more eyes, more engagement and, ultimately, more brand visibility
4. Consistency equals familiarity
The Facebook algorithm adores consistency and so does your audience. Just like a TV show that airs at the same time each week, consistent posting builds anticipation. When people know when to expect your content, they’re more primed to engage with it regularly. Over time, this builds trust and familiarity with your brand, which naturally boosts engagement. Plus, staying consistent signals to Facebook’s algorithm that your page is active and relevant, helping you reach more people.
Learn more: Social Media Interactions - Types, Strategies & Tools
More Posting ≠ More Engagement
Believe it or not, more frequent posting is not your highway to garner more engagement on social media. Here are a few facts that debunk this common myth:
- Quality Over Quantity: Posting too frequently can lead to audience fatigue, causing followers to unfollow or ignore your content if it isn’t valuable or relevant. It’s more effective to focus on creating high-quality, engaging posts rather than flooding your audience’s feed.
- Algorithm Preferences: Social media algorithms prioritize content that generates meaningful interactions. If your posts aren’t engaging, increasing the frequency won’t help. Instead, the algorithm may reduce the visibility of your posts.
- Audience Engagement: Over-posting can overwhelm your audience, leading to lower engagement rates. It’s crucial to find a balance that keeps your audience interested without bombarding them with too much content.
- Content Strategy: A well-planned content strategy that includes a mix of different types of social media posts (e.g., images, videos, stories) and posting at optimal times can be more effective than simply increasing the number of posts.
By focusing on these aspects, you can create a more effective social media strategy that fosters genuine engagement and builds a loyal audience.
Read more: How Often to Post on Social Media to Increase Your Brand Reach
How Facebook's algorithm impacts post visibility
Since we’re diving into the Facebook algorithm, let’s explore how it actually impacts your post’s visibility. What’s really going on behind the scenes?
The Facebook algorithm determines which posts are prioritized based on factors like engagement, relevance and user interest. It aims to show users content that resonates with them. So, creating posts that are genuinely engaging and relevant increases the probability of Facebook sharing them with a wider audience.
Let’s delve deeper.
1. Engagement is king
The more people interact with your post — whether they like, comment, share, or react — the more Facebook will push it to more feeds. If your post does not trigger any action from social media users, Facebook assumes it’s boring. So, spark those early interactions by encouraging your audience to comment or tag a friend right off the bat.
2. The “friends and family” factor
Facebook boosts content from the people you care about most — friends, family, that guy you haven’t spoken to since high school but still shows up in your feed. So, if your post feels too “businessy” or impersonal, it’s less likely to resonate and get prioritized. Facebook favors posts that feel more like conversations than ads. So, caption your posts like you’re chatting with a friend. Keep it personal, authentic and engaging — something people would naturally want to interact with.
3. Recency matters
New posts get more attention. Facebook is all about serving up fresh content, so the more recent your post, the better its chances of being seen. If your post is a couple of days old, it’s pretty much ancient history as far as the algorithm is concerned.
4. Mutual interaction
Facebook keeps track of who regularly engages with your content. The more someone interacts with your posts, the more often they will see future updates from you. It’s a two-way street: You engage with them, they engage with you and Facebook strengthens that connection.
So, don’t be a ghost and don’t ghost anyone. If someone comments on your post, reply! Facebook loves this back-and-forth interaction and will reward you with more visibility.
Learn More: How to Measure Social Media Engagement Effectively
5. Content-type preferences
Different content types (text, images, videos) get different amounts of love from the algorithm. Videos, especially live videos, tend to perform better because Facebook sees them as more engaging. Static text posts? Not so much. So make sure you mix it up. Throw some videos or images here and there. Facebook loves variety and so does your audience.
Learn more: How to Build a Social Media Content Strategy in 2024
6. “Meaningful” interactions
Facebook’s algorithm also has a soft corner for meaningful interactions and comments that spark conversations, not just a “like” or a quick emoji. The longer and more thoughtful the interaction, the more meaningful it’s considered by the algorithm and the more amplification it gets.
So, tweak how you talk to your audience on social media. Ask questions, encourage discussion and get people talking. A simple “What do you think?” can do wonders for your post visibility.
How we identified the best times to post on Facebook
Our team conducted a detailed study to pinpoint the best times to post on Facebook. We evaluated 1,236 companies from 15 countries across 5 different industries, including a mix of B2B and B2C companies. All selected companies have a revenue of over $1 billion. The data collection period spanned from January 1, 2024, to June 11, 2024.
The best times to post were determined based on when consumer engagement was highest on the platform rather than when brands published the most. Our findings highlight the optimal posting times across various industries, ensuring that your content reaches and engages your audience effectively.
Disclaimer: We arrived at this data using our proprietary social media analytics tool. The insights are data-backed but may vary for a different test group and different time periods. Insights are subject to change with changes in social algorithms and user behaviors.
Overall best time to post on Facebook
Let’s dive into the best time to post on Facebook based on our extensive research, along with a detailed breakdown of industry-specific, country-specific and content-type best times.
Best days to post on Facebook: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Optimal times to post on Facebook: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Why it works? These are peak engagement times when users take breaks, check their social media feeds and tend to engage with content. During mid-morning and lunchtime, Facebook traffic spikes because people are more relaxed and open to consuming content.
Now, let’s go a bit granular about Facebook posting on specific days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and also discuss weekend posting.
Tuesdays: Best Posting Times and Why They Work
Peak times: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Why it works: On Tuesdays, people are back in the flow of their work week and often take short breaks to check their social media, including Facebook. The best time to catch them is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., when they’re easing into their day. A quick scroll on social media fits naturally into this routine. This time frame is ideal for posting content that’s easy to digest, like short articles, announcements, or product promotions — anything that grabs attention quickly.
Second-best posting time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Why it works: The afternoon slump hits on Tuesdays and many people check Facebook during this time as a way to recharge before they get back to their tasks. Posting during this window is ideal for light content that’s easy to engage with, such as images, short videos, or memes.
From our research: Tuesdays are great for actionable posts like ask-me-anythings, polls, surveys as well as event and PR announcements and product launches. Engagement is higher because people are ready to dive into activities that require responses.
Wednesdays: Best posting times and why they work
Peak times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Why it works: Wednesdays are the midpoint of the work week and people are busy with their tasks but still take breaks between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. During this time, many users tend to check their Facebook feeds, especially when they pause to relax or grab lunch. Posting around noon works especially well because people often scroll through their feeds as they unwind during their lunch break, interacting with social content, among other things.
Second-best posting time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Why it works: The after-work hours on Wednesdays see a rise in engagement. People have wrapped up their day and feel more relaxed, which means they’re more inclined to spend time on Facebook, catching up with friends or browsing for entertainment.
Thursdays: Best posting times and why they work
Peak times: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Why it works: Thursdays signal that the weekend is near and people start winding down from the work week. The lunch break window (12 p.m. to 2 p.m.) works well as people are more relaxed, making them more receptive towards social posts, especially entertainment content, giveaways and promotions. It’s also a time when you’re not expected to work and indulging in a bit of Facebook is perfectly acceptable.
Second-best posting time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Why it works: Thursday evenings are an ideal time for postings related to leisure or weekend plans. After work, users often spend time browsing social media while unwinding. This is the perfect time for lifestyle brands, travel and entertainment-related content.
Posting on Facebook during weekends: Is it worth it?
Should you be posting on weekends? Yes, but strategically. It’s true that Facebook engagement dips during the weekends compared to weekdays, but there are still opportunities for brands and pages to connect with audiences.
Let’s break it down for you.
Best days to post on Facebook on weekends: Saturday Mornings and Sunday Evenings
- Saturday mornings: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Why it works: Saturday mornings tend to see engagement from users who don’t work weekends. People check their feeds as they wake up and start their day leisurely. This time is great for entertainment posts, feel-good content, or weekend activities. It’s also an ideal window for local businesses to post about weekend specials.
- Sunday evenings: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Why it works: By Sunday evening, most people are getting ready for the week ahead. Engagement spikes as users catch up on what they missed over the weekend and get into a more reflective or planning mood. This is a good time to post long-form content like blog links, product announcements, or thought-leadership pieces, as audiences have more time to consume and reflect.
Pro tip: Weekends are great for light, lifestyle, or personal posts. You can consider posting about family activities, events, or community updates. Avoid overly promotional content, as people are in relaxation mode and less likely to respond to hard sales.
Need more post ideas? Check 10+ Ideas for Social Media Posts That Move the Needle
Best times to post on Facebook for specific industries
Different industries have their own "sweet spots" for posting. Here’s a comprehensive table with the best days and times to post for six mainstream industries.
Industry | Best days | Best times | Why it works |
Retail | Wednesday, Friday | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Consumers are looking for deals and updates before and during lunch. |
Tech | Tuesday, Thursday | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Early morning works as tech audiences often check for updates while starting their day. |
Healthcare | Monday, Thursday | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | People engage early in the week with health tips and advice. |
Media | Friday | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Friday mornings see spikes as users prepare for the weekend, catching up on news and entertainment. |
Nonprofit | Wednesday, Thursday | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Mid-week and mid-day engagement spikes when users are more inclined to donate or support causes. |
Finance | Tuesday, Thursday | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Users are more open to financial advice in the morning before they dive into their workday. |
Your industry not on the list? If your industry didn’t make the list above, don’t worry! You can sign up for Sprinklr Social and snag all the insights you need for free.
Best times to post on Facebook for different countries
Engagement times differ across countries due to varying consumer habits and time zones. Here’s a breakdown of the best times to post on Facebook in different countries:
Country | Best days | Best times | Why it works |
USA | Tuesday, Wednesday | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | People check Facebook before and during work breaks. |
UK | Wednesday, Thursday | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Morning commutes and coffee breaks are prime times. |
India | Monday, Wednesday | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Post-lunch breaks see a surge in user activity. |
Australia | Thursday, Friday | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Late morning to early afternoon captures users just before they disconnect for the day. |
Canada | Tuesday, Friday | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pre-lunch scrolls during the workweek attract the highest engagement. |
Are you a marketer/brand with global audiences?
If you’re managing a global audience, posting at the right time becomes even more important. Here are a few actionable tips to nail the Facebook timing:
- Use insights and analytics: Leverage Facebook’s built-in analytics to see when your audience is most active by region. Tools like Facebook Insights can break down peak activity hours based on time zones.
- Schedule posts for different time zones: Consider scheduling content to hit peak times across your key markets. For instance, if you're targeting both Europe and North America, aim for 8 AM EST and 3 PM CET to maximize visibility.
- A/B test your posting times: Experiment with different posting times for each audience segment and track engagement. Over time, you'll start to notice patterns specific to each region.
- Segment your audience: If your content applies to distinct regions, you can create tailored posts for each time zone, ensuring that your message reaches your audience at the right moment.
Best times to post different content types on Facebook
Let’s break down the best times to post different types of content on Facebook to help you reach your audience when they’re most active.
Content type | Best days and time | Why it works |
Videos | Wednesday, Thursday (12 p.m. – 3 p.m.) | People are in the mood for engaging, more immersive content during midweek lunch breaks or after work when they have a bit more time to watch. |
Text posts | Tuesday, Wednesday (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.) | Early in the day, especially midweek, people are more inclined to read through text-heavy posts before diving into work or tasks. Tuesdays and Wednesdays see higher engagement as users are looking for productivity-related or news content. |
Photos | Thursday, Friday (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) | Visual content is more digestible and tends to perform better when people are winding down for the week. Late mornings are ideal as people are starting to relax and are more receptive to quick, visually engaging posts. |
Live Videos | Thursday, Sunday (7 p.m. – 9 p.m.) | Live video content needs audiences that have time to sit and watch. Thursday evening, when the week is almost over and Sunday evening, when users are relaxing, are perfect times to capture attention. |
Polls and surveys | Monday, Wednesday (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) | These interactive posts thrive on user participation, especially early in the week when users are more engaged and not yet overwhelmed by the workweek. |
Facebook Stories | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) | Stories posted these days align with people checking their phones during lunch breaks or while taking a midweek breather, making them more likely to see and interact with your content. |
Links-Only-Posts | Saturdays and Sundays (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and (7 p.m. and 9 p.m.) | The best time to post Links-Only-Posts on Facebook is during weekends and late evenings because users have more time to click and engage with longer content when they’re not rushed by work or weekday routines. |
Best posting time for different Facebook influencers
Since we’ve already talked so much about posting timings, how could we skip over when influencers should post on Facebook?
Influencer marketing on Facebook has exploded over the past few years, making it one of the top platforms for influencers to connect with their audiences. With millions of influencers competing for attention, it’s getting harder to stand out. But with so many voices, cutting through the noise has become a real challenge. That’s why understanding the best times to post on Facebook is crucial for influencers who want to boost engagement and stand out in a crowded space.
Before we dive into the timings, remember, each type of influencer has a unique audience with its own social media behaviors and preferences, so it’s crucial to post when they’re most active. The goal is to catch them right when they’re scrolling, ready to engage.
Based on Sprinklr’s data and insights from multiple platforms, here are the best times for influencers to post on Facebook, depending on their niche:
1. Lifestyle influencers
- Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday
- Best times: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Why it works: Mid-morning to lunchtime is prime time for lifestyle audiences who love to scroll for inspiration while taking a break or during a casual part of their day. This is when people are looking for relatable, real-life content — think home decor, daily routines, or productivity tips.
2. Fitness & health influencers
- Best days: Monday, Thursday
- Best times: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Why it works: Fitness enthusiasts are most active in the morning before they start their day or in the evening after work. Monday’s “let’s start fresh” vibe and Thursday’s pre-weekend motivation hit just right for this audience. Whether it’s workout videos or health tips, you’ll catch them during their key moments of motivation.
3. Beauty & fashion influencers
- Best days: Friday, Saturday
- Best times: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Why it works: Audiences are winding down on Friday afternoons and getting ready for weekend plans, making it the perfect time for fashion and beauty content. People are looking for style inspo, makeup tutorials and product reviews to help them look their best for weekend events.
4. Tech influencers
- Best days: Tuesday, Thursday
- Best times: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Why it works: Tech audiences love to stay on top of trends and product updates, usually browsing during the early part of their day. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are perfect for sharing new tech reviews, tutorials, or industry news — right before they dive into work.
5. Food influencers
- Best days: Wednesday, Sunday
- Best times: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Why it works: Lunchtime is peak engagement for foodies! Wednesday sees midweek recipe inspiration searches, while Sundays are all about prepping for family meals or planning the week ahead. Posting your food content during these times is sure to catch hungry eyes.
6. Travel influencers
- Best days: Friday, Saturday
- Best times: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Why it works: Travel audiences are all about weekend planning and Friday and Saturday mornings are the ideal time to spark wanderlust. Whether it’s a dreamy destination or travel tips, this is when people are dreaming about their next adventure.
7. Educational & thought leadership influencers
- Best days: Monday, Tuesday
- Best times: 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Why it works: Your audience is looking for insights and valuable content at the start of the week when they’re in the mindset to learn something new. Monday and Tuesday mornings are prime times for delivering educational or thought-provoking content.
Learn more: Influencer Marketing Strategies to Improve Engagement
🎉 Did You Know?
You can schedule posts not just for Facebook, but across all your channels in one go — just in time for the holidays!
Curious how?
It's all about bulk scheduling!
If that piques your interest, check out this blog on Bulk Social Media Posting
How to find the best posting times for Facebook
Okay, so by now, you’ve got some clarity on Facebook posting times. Maybe not crystal clear, but enough to have a sense of how things work and how the algorithm plays its part. But wait — there’s more. You’re probably wondering, "How else can I know when my audience is actually scrolling on Facebook?"
Sure, we’ve thrown a lot of data your way and that’s a great place to start. But there’s no harm in digging deeper and trying out a few smart tools and tricks to fine-tune your social media posting schedule. It’s all about finding what clicks with your crowd and there are tools and tactics to make sure you're getting it just right. Let’s discuss in detail:
1. Use Facebook Insights
Facebook Insights is a powerful and native Facebook capability that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how your Facebook Page is performing. By using this capability, you can track key metrics like engagement (likes, comments, shares), audience demographics (age, gender, location), and peak activity times. Additionally, you can monitor overall performance and track trends over time, providing valuable insights into what content works best and where improvements are needed.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you find the best time to post on Facebook using Facebook Insights:
- Log into Facebook and Access Insights: Go to your Facebook Business Page and click Insights on the left-hand side.
- Analyze Audience Activity: In the Posts tab, find two key graphs. One shows audience activity daily and the other by the hour, allowing you to see when your fans are most active. Hover over specific times to see details.
- Experiment with Posting Times:
While the data tells you when your audience is most active, experiment by posting at various peak times and track how well your posts perform in terms of engagement. You can adjust based on real-time feedback.
4. Understand Your Audience Demographics: The People tab gives demographic insights, including age, gender and location of your engaged audience. This data helps you tailor your content to better connect with your key audience segments.
5. Monitor Results: Use the insights over time to spot patterns, such as which times generate the most engagement, likes, shares, or comments. Test and adjust your posting schedule accordingly.
6. Track Call-to-Action Performance: The Actions on Page tab tracks how users interact with your call-to-action buttons (e.g., Sign Up, Book Now). It shows who clicked and which devices were used, offering insights into optimizing your CTAs.
By using these steps, you’ll get a better idea of when to schedule your content for maximum reach and interaction.
2. Use Sprinklr
Sprinklr's Smart Scheduling feature helps you find the best posting times by leveraging AI and past engagement data. Here’s the correct step-by-step process:
- Access the Publisher Section in Sprinklr
From the Sprinklr dashboard, head to the Publisher section, which is your main hub for managing and scheduling content across platforms. - Create or Select a Post
Click Create Post to start crafting a new Facebook post. Alternatively, you can choose a previously created draft if you're adjusting an existing post. - Enable Smart Scheduling
When scheduling your post, enable the Smart Scheduling option. This AI-driven tool analyzes your historical data, comparing when previous posts performed best to recommend optimal posting times. - Review Suggested Times
After enabling Smart Scheduling, Sprinklr will suggest the best times to post based on engagement patterns. You can review these suggestions, make any necessary tweaks and set your post to go live automatically at those times.
Wrapping it up
Okay, should we do a quick recap? Here’s the gist.
First, you now understand how Facebook’s algorithm works. Engagement, relevance, and activity all influence how visible your posts are, so keeping these factors in mind helps the algorithm work in your favor.
Next up, the big one: timing. This is the backbone of your Facebook engagement strategy. Get this wrong and all your hard work — the hours spent crafting that perfect post — could just drift off into the social media void, never to be seen again. And that’s not what we want after all that effort, right?
And finally, you’ve got to keep trying. Post at the times when your audience is in the right mood—whether they’re ready to laugh, share, or just need a little pick-me-up. You want to be there when they need you most (or at least when they’re in the mood to click!).
And if you’re still need a little more guidance, no worries. Our team can show you exactly how Sprinklr can help you nail your timing, maximize engagement and — most importantly—make sure all that hard work pays off.