Optimal Posting Times
General Best Times (GMT+1)
- Overall best time across platforms: 21:00 on Fridays (12:00 PT)
- Peak engagement windows: 03:00 to 06:00 (18:00 to 21:00 PT) and 21:00 to 00:00 (12:00 to 15:00 PT)
- Best days of the week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Platform-Specific Optimal Times (GMT+1)
Platform | Best Times (GMT+1) | Best Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Facebook | 20:00 to 22:00 (11:00 to 13:00 PT) | Monday, Wednesday | Content needs time to percolate; 14:00 postings (05:00 PT) show good performance as they appear during peak browsing hours |
Instagram | 21:00 to 00:00 (12:00 to 15:00 PT) | Monday, Wednesday | Morning posts (PT) attract 8.8% more link clicks |
Twitter/X | 20:00 (11:00 PT) | Monday, Friday | Based on analysis of over 1 million tweets |
LinkedIn | 18:00 to 21:00 (09:00 to 12:00 PT) | Tuesday, Wednesday | Professional audience, business hours work best |
TikTok | 03:00 to 06:00 (18:00 to 21:00 PT) | Thursday, Friday | Evening leisure browsing hours (PT) |
Popular Content Formats (Ranked by Engagement)
- Short-form video (81% average watch rate)
- Dominant across all platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram Reels
- Ideal length: 15-60 seconds
- 78% of users prefer learning about products through short videos
- Interactive content
- Polls, quizzes, “Ask Me Anything” features
- Instagram Stories with interactive stickers see 2-3x more engagement
- User-generated content
- Nano-influencer content (creators with 1K-10K followers) shows 4% engagement rate (highest of any influencer level)
- Authentic customer testimonials and reviews
- Carousel posts
- Multiple images/slides in a single post
- Average 3x higher engagement than single-image posts on LinkedIn and Instagram
- Thought leadership articles
- Particularly effective on LinkedIn and Medium
- Ideal length: 700-1300 words with visual elements
Platform-Specific Trends & Best Practices
- Reels generate highest organic reach of any feature (2.23% engagement rate vs 1.16% for regular posts)
- Implement a balanced hashtag strategy with 3-5 highly relevant hashtags per post (Instagram’s official recommendation)
- Mix of hashtag types recommended: popular (broad reach), niche (targeted audience), and branded
- Use the “Notify” sticker in Stories to promote upcoming content or events (followers receive in-app notifications)
- Caption strategy: front-load key information, use line breaks for readability, and include calls-to-action
- Content diversity: educational (tutorials/how-tos), entertaining (challenges/trends), authentic (behind-the-scenes)
- Post consistently at optimal times rather than posting frequently with inconsistent quality
- User-generated content and collaborations with nano-influencers drive 40% higher engagement
- Algorithm prioritizes content from personal connections over business pages (leverage employee advocacy)
- Video content performs 2x better than static posts; live streams get 6x more engagement
- Groups generate significantly more organic reach than business pages (community-building essential)
- Focus on conversation starters that prompt meaningful interactions (comments/shares weighted higher than reactions)
- Posts that gain traction organically receive continued algorithmic boosting (first 60 minutes crucial)
- Short-form content (under 80 characters) generates 66% more engagement
- Engagement rate benchmark: 0.15%
- Polls and questions generate 90% more comments than standard posts
- Native content outperforms shared links (use link-in-caption strategy when possible)
Twitter/X
- Post frequency of 2-3 times daily recommended for optimal engagement
- Visual content (images/videos) receives 150% more retweets than text-only posts
- Video receives highest engagement of all content types on the platform
- Optimal tweet length: 71-100 characters
- Concise threads breaking down complex topics outperform single tweets for educational content
- Algorithm favors content that aligns with user interests based on past interactions
- Timing is critical: post during peak engagement windows rather than when followers are online
- Focus on generating conversations rather than just retweets/likes
- Engagement rate benchmark: 0.15%
- Leveraging trending topics can significantly boost discoverability (with relevant contribution)
- Algorithm prioritizes content that generates meaningful engagement over surface-level interactions
- Thought leadership articles and case studies drive highest engagement and provide better search visibility
- Document posts (PDF slideshows) get 3x more clicks than text posts
- Polls generate 450% more comments than standard posts
- Engagement rate benchmark: 0.35%
- “Creator mode” increases content reach by 15% on average
- Consistency matters: posting 3-5 times weekly delivers 2x higher engagement than sporadic posting
- First-person storytelling posts receive 50% more engagement than third-person corporate content
- Videos under 3 minutes perform best (particularly with captions)
- Personal brand content consistently outperforms company page content (employee advocacy crucial)
- Algorithm focuses on professional relevance and regional networking, particularly in German-speaking markets
- Industry-specific content and regional business insights generate highest engagement
- Content in German language receives preferential treatment in the algorithm
- Long-form professional articles perform better than short status updates (opposite of LinkedIn)
- Business event promotions receive higher organic reach than on other platforms
- Company updates with specific regional focus outperform general corporate news
- Engagement rate benchmark for business pages: 0.5-0.8% (higher than LinkedIn in DACH region)
- Professional development content focused on German business practices drives highest engagement
- Consistent posting (2-3 times weekly) more important than high frequency
- Groups (“Fachgruppen”) are central to content distribution and networking success
- Native content outperforms external links significantly (80% higher engagement)
- Algorithm favors content from Premium members over basic accounts
TikTok
- Algorithm heavily favors completion rate (videos watched to the end)
- Authentic, unpolished content performs better than highly produced videos (relatability factor)
- Trending sounds and effects boost discoverability by up to 300%
- Educational content (“TikTok Learn”) is rapidly growing and receives algorithmic preference
- First 3 seconds critical for retention (hook viewers immediately)
- Engagement rate benchmark: 2.50% (highest of all major platforms)
- Hashtag strategy: 3-5 relevant tags, mix of trending and niche
- Cross-promoting from other platforms receives algorithmic penalty
- Content repurposed from YouTube/Instagram performs 40% worse than TikTok-native content
- Content matching trending audio exactly performs 78% better than modified versions
- Leverage user-generated content through “Duet” and “Stitch” features for expanded reach
YouTube
- YouTube Shorts as funnel to longer content (use pinned comments with CTAs to main videos)
- Optimal Shorts length: 90 seconds (standard for cross-platform compatibility)
- SEO critical for discovery: optimize titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails
- Algorithm favors watch time and retention rate over view count
- Primary focus should be on YouTube feed rather than Shorts Shelf for maximum reach
- Key algorithm factors: initial engagement, user preferences, content optimization, viewer satisfaction
- Videos over 10 minutes receive preferential algorithm treatment for monetization
- Uploading on a consistent schedule increases subscriber growth by 30%
- End screens and cards increase session time by 40% on average
- Community engagement (responding to comments) boosts overall channel performance
- Keywords remain central to discovery (Pinterest functions more like search engine than social platform)
- High-resolution vertical images with 2:3 aspect ratio perform best
- Idea Pins receive more visibility than standard pins in current algorithm
- Optimal posting frequency: 10 pins per day
- Pinterest now allows scheduling pins up to one month in advance
- Mobile optimization essential (85% of users access via mobile devices)
- Seasonal content should be posted 30-45 days in advance
- Product pins with accurate metadata receive 40% higher click-through rates
- Video pins increase engagement by 67% compared to static images
- Board organization and keyword-rich descriptions critical for SEO
Technical Specifications for Content
Video Specifications by Platform
Platform | Dimensions | Max Length | Format | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Instagram Feed | 1080x1350px | 60 sec | MP4, MOV | Up to 4GB |
Instagram Reels | 1080x1920px | 90 sec | MP4, MOV | Up to 4GB |
Instagram Stories | 1080x1920px | 15 sec | MP4, MOV | Up to 4GB |
Facebook Feed | 1280x720px | 240 min | MP4, MOV | Up to 10GB |
TikTok | 1080x1920px | 10 min | MP4, MPEG | Up to 5GB |
Twitter/X | 1280x720px | 140 sec | MP4, MOV | Up to 512MB |
LinkedIn | 1920x1080px | 10 min | MP4, MPEG | Up to 5GB |
Image Specifications by Platform
Platform | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Instagram Feed | 1080x1080px | 1:1 (square) | JPG, PNG | Alternative ratios: 1080x1350px (4:5) or 1080x608px (16:9) |
Instagram Stories | 1080x1920px | 9:16 | JPG, PNG | Text-free zones: 250px from top & bottom |
Facebook Feed | 1200x630px | 1.91:1 | JPG, PNG | Up to 8MB |
Twitter/X | 1600x900px | 16:9 | JPG, PNG, GIF | Up to 5MB |
LinkedIn | 1200x627px | 1.91:1 | JPG, PNG | Up to 5MB |
Pinterest | 1000x1500px | 2:3 | JPG, PNG | Up to 20MB |
Platform-Specific Content Ideas
- Tutorial Reels: Step-by-step guides under 60 seconds
- Behind-the-scenes content: Show your process or workplace culture
- User-generated content showcases: Feature customers using your products
- Instagram Live Q&As: Interactive sessions with real-time engagement
- Carousel posts: Educational slides with swipeable information
- Day-in-the-life content: Authentic storytelling about your brand or team
- Product close-ups: Detailed shots showing features/benefits
- Trend participation: Put your brand spin on current challenges
- Collaborations: Partner with complementary brands or influencers
- Polls and questions: Use interactive stickers to boost engagement
- Live streams: Product launches, demos, or behind-the-scenes events
- Native video content: Educational or entertaining videos under 3 minutes
- Group discussions: Topic-focused conversations in your community
- Employee spotlights: Showcase team members and company culture
- User reviews and testimonials: Social proof from satisfied customers
- Infographics: Data visualization on industry topics
- Nostalgia posts: Throwbacks related to your industry or brand
- Community management: Respond to comments and encourage conversation
- Local events: Share relevant happenings in your business area
- Value-driven content: Tips, guides, and solutions to common problems
Twitter/X
- Trend commentary: Add your perspective on trending topics
- Concise threads: Break down complex ideas into digestible points
- Visual tweets: Include relevant graphics or images with text
- Polls: Ask audience opinions on relevant topics
- Industry news: Share and comment on latest developments
- Behind-the-scenes content: Informal glimpses of your operation
- User spotlights: Highlight customer stories or feedback
- Quick tips: Bite-sized, actionable advice related to your industry
- Quote tweets: Add value to existing conversations
- Countdown posts: Build anticipation for launches or events
- Thought leadership articles: In-depth perspectives on industry topics
- Document slideshows: Visual presentations of data or processes
- Case studies: Real examples of successes or problem-solving
- Employee advocacy posts: Team member insights and experiences
- Industry trend analysis: Expert commentary on developments
- Video testimonials: Clients or partners sharing success stories
- Professional development content: Skills, tips, and career advice
- Company culture posts: Authentic looks at your workplace values
- Event recaps: Summaries of conferences or industry gatherings
- Polls and questions: Engagement-focused professional queries
TikTok
- Educational how-tos: Quick tutorials under 60 seconds
- Behind-the-scenes content: Authentic workplace glimpses
- Trend participation: Brand take on viral challenges
- Day-in-the-life content: Team member experiences
- Product demonstrations: Creative showcasing of features
- Before-and-after transformations: Visual proof of results
- User-generated content: Resharing customer videos
- Duets with industry creators: Collaborative content
- Problem-solution format: Address common pain points
- Storytelling content: Engaging narratives in short form
YouTube
- Tutorial series: In-depth how-to content
- Product reviews: Detailed assessments with demonstrations
- Expert interviews: Conversations with industry leaders
- Behind-the-scenes documentaries: Brand or process stories
- Case study videos: Success stories with real results
- Industry news roundups: Weekly or monthly summaries
- Live streams: Interactive sessions with audience participation
- FAQ videos: Addressing common customer questions
- Shorts to promote long-form content: Highlight clips
- Themed series: Consistent content around specific topics
- Step-by-step tutorials: Visual guides with clear instructions
- Product showcases: Styled photography of offerings
- Infographics: Data visualization on relevant topics
- Seasonal content: Holiday or event-specific ideas
- Inspiration boards: Curated collections around themes
- How-to guides: Process breakdowns with strong visuals
- Before-and-after transformations: Visual results
- Lists and collections: Curated groupings of related items
- Quote pins: Inspirational or educational text graphics
- Video tutorials: Short demonstrations under 15 seconds
Sources
- SocialPilot: https://www.socialpilot.co/blog/best-times-to-post-on-social-media
- Hootsuite: https://blog.hootsuite.com/best-time-to-post-on-social-media/
- Research.com: https://research.com/tutorials/the-best-times-to-post-on-social-media
- Social Media Today: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/hootsuite-best-posting-times-social-platforms-2025/742080/
- WordStream: https://www.wordstream.com/blog/best-time-to-post-on-social-media
- Buffer: https://buffer.com/resources/best-time-to-post-social-media/
- HubSpot: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-times-post-pin-tweet-social-media-infographic
- Sprout Social: https://sproutsocial.com/insights/
