BEST TIME TO POST ON FACEBOOK 2024

Determining the best time to post on Facebook is crucial for content creators and businesses looking to maximize their reach and engagement. With over 3.05 billion monthly active users, nailing your Facebook posting schedule can make a huge impact.

In this blog post, we'll break down the optimal times to post in 2024 based on new data and insights. Whether you manage a Facebook page, group, or profile, you'll discover the best times to post for more eyeballs on your content.

As A General Rule, 9AM and 1-3PM Work Well

As a general rule of thumb, around 9AM is a safe bet for posting on Facebook. This timing catches many users during the start of their workday when they're likelier to check their feed.

For even more potential views, consider posting between 1-3PM. This block aligns with peak Facebook usage as people browse during their lunch breaks.

According to Sprout Social, 1PM is the best for shares while 3PM delivers more link clicks. So focus on 1PM if you want greater shares and 3PM for clicks.

Through testing on my Facebook page, I've found that 9AM gives me the most views compared to other times. However, your own Facebook analytics will tell you soon enough when works best as long as you have enough posting data.

Additionally, don’t forget that your timezone matters too. For my page, I'm based in the Philippines and my best time to post is 7PM (19:00) according to Facebook Analytics.

Breakdown of Optimal Posting Times By Day

Though 9AM and 1-3PM are generally recommended, you may find certain days have better timings. Here is a quick breakdown of the best times to post by day according to Social Pilot:

Monday: 9AM-12PM

Tuesday: 9AM-2PM

Wednesday: 9AM-2PM

Thursday: 11AM-12PM

Friday: 9AM-2PM

Saturday: 8-11AM

Sunday: 8-11AM

This isn't to say you can't post during other times. But try sticking closely to these windows for each day.

Why Determining The Best Posting Time Matters

Pinpointing your best time to post is critical because early engagement can make or break your content's performance.

The likes, comments, and shares received within the first hour of posting influence how many views your post gets for the next 6 hours.

Furthermore, how your post performs in its initial 6 hours often dictates its distribution over the following 48-72 hours.

What To Do If You Get Zero Engagement In The First 6 Hours

What if your post sees absolutely zero engagement like shares or comments within the crucial first 6 hours?

Firstly, don't rush to delete it. Continue monitoring for a full 72 hours. If after this period there is still zero engagement, not even a single like, then it's time to re-evaluate.

The reason is that engagement is directly linked to your views. And with none, it's less likely the algorithm will push your post after those initial 72 hours.

Unlike websites or long videos, social media posts have a shorter lifespan. If this happens, it’s smarter to remove the content and analyze what went wrong. You can then refine and repost it.

If the algorithm hasn't been promoting your post, it's likely because Facebook has flagged it as "Not Suggested". Why does this happen? It could be:

• You unknowingly violated a guideline
• Your content wasn't entertaining enough
• It didn't address any specific user problem

The Schedule Above Is A Starting Point

The general schedule I outlined earlier serves as a helpful starting point when you're still gathering data. But once you have more insights, customizing your schedule becomes essential.

Not every timing will work perfectly for everyone. Many factors affect your optimal posting times. You shouldn't just post when it's most convenient for you. Carefully consider when your target audience is most active online.

Some key factors to think about:

• When your existing followers are active
• When potential non-followers are active
• The geographical locations of both groups

Let's break down how to address each factor:

1. Cater Posting Times To Your Followers

Facebook provides suggestions on optimal posting times based on when your followers are most actively engaging.

On desktop, you can find this in the “Best Times to Post” section within the Publishing Tools. On mobile, it’s visible in the notifications section of your dashboard.

The desktop view provides different insights than the mobile. It suggests the best times to post daily. But the mobile app may specify certain days and times.

2. Cater To Non-Followers Too

For non-followers, start by testing the general rule times I mentioned earlier - 9AM, 1-3PM.

Closely monitor when these users without an existing connection are engaging with your content. Track for at least one full month to spot meaningful patterns.

Although that may seem lengthy, remember I kept diligent records for a full 6 months when optimizing my page.

Note that live streaming has a different approach. Many new creators incorrectly stream when their audience is offline, leading to dismal view counts.

Build a sizable following first. Then you can dictate your own terms. Big creators often promote their live streams in advance, and some may even invest to boost viewership. It’s a hard truth, but you’ve got to crawl before you walk.

3. Factor In Location And Time Zones

Your followers' locations are pivotal because of time zone differences. Surprisingly, on my page, only 37.1% of my followers are from the Philippines despite being based here.

The rest are from places like the USA, UK, Canada, India, and more. Once you know where your audience is geographically, you can fine-tune your posting times accordingly.

Google’s time zone converter is a handy tool for this. Prioritize your top audience countries.

For my page, I focus 60% of posts on my home country's time zone, dividing the remaining 40% between the next two or three top countries.

You may wonder why most of my followers aren’t from my home country. Many variables shape how the algorithm targets users, like language, niche, locations, and gaps between countries. I explained this further in my e-book. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

The Rising Creator on Facebook: The Ultimate Guide For Facebook Monetization and Content Creation

Read This: Are You Eligible? Facebook Page Monetization Criteria in 2024

Final Thoughts

Determining your optimal Facebook posting times for 2024 requires testing. While 9AM and 1-3PM are generally recommended, analyze your analytics to pinpoint the best windows.

Remember to factor in your followers' activity, potential new viewers, and time zones. Keep tweaking your schedule as you gather more data. A strategic posting approach is essential for maximizing your Facebook reach and engagement this year.