Finding the best time to post on Facebook for likes is key to your success. 

With 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the best ways to reach your audience. But even the best Facebook posts can flop if you post at the wrong time.

To get the most engagement, you need to know when to post. This will show you the best times to post on Facebook, how to look at your data, and tips to get more reach, likes, and shares.

Why Timing Matters for Facebook Posts

The Facebook algorithm is designed to show posts that get more engagement, likes, comments, and shares. 

When you post on Facebook when your audience is most active, your content is more likely to be seen, interacted with, and shared. Facebook’s algorithm takes into account:

1. Engagement Signals: Posts that get likes, comments, and shares quickly are valuable and more likely to be shown at the top of users’ feeds.
2. Recency: The algorithm favors newer posts. If you post when your audience is online, your content is more likely to be shown in their news feeds.
3. Content Type: The algorithm also favors different types of content (e.g. video, photos, text posts). For example, videos get more viewers and may be favored by the algorithm when posted at the best times.

You can increase visibility and engagement by posting when your target audience is most active.

Facebook Insights

Facebook Insights gives you valuable data to see how your Facebook page is performing. Here’s how to use it to find the best time to post:

1. Audience Insights: See when your audience is online. Under Insights, go to the “When Your Fans Are Online” tab to see the days and hours when your followers are most active.
2. Post Facebook Analytics: Look at the performance of individual posts to see the best times to post on Facebook. Look for patterns in high-performing content.
3. Engagement Metrics: Track likes, shares, comments, and reach to see which posts resonate with your audience and when they perform best.

Check regularly to adjust your posting strategy to get more viewers and likes.

Best Time to Post on Facebook for Likes

While the best time to post on Facebook varies for your audience, studies have found the general peak times when most Facebook users are active:

Best Times to Post on Facebook by Day

Each day has its own best times:

• Monday: In the morning (9 am-11 am), when people are starting their week and catching up on news and social updates.
• Wednesday: Midweek is peak social media time, especially 11 am-1 pm when people take breaks.
• Friday: The afternoon is usually the highest engagement (1 pm-3 pm) as people prepare for the weekend.
• Weekends: Mornings are good, especially Saturday at 10 am and Sunday at 11 am when people are more relaxed and more likely to engage on Facebook marketing.

Best Times to Post on Facebook by Industry

Each industry has its own audience behaviour, so it’s important to know what works for your industry in terms of Facebook advertising. 

Depending on your sector, your audience may be more active at certain posting times of the day or week.

Let’s dive into the best time to post on Facebook for each industry and why they work.

1. Retail

For retail businesses, the best time to post on Facebook pages are Thursdays and Fridays at noon. Here’s why:

• Consumer Behaviour: Most people get paid at the end of the week, so Thursday and Friday are key days for planning purchases. Lunchtime browsing on these days can lead to impulse buying.
• Pre-Weekend Boost: As the weekend approaches, people are more likely to shop for things they need for social events, home projects, or leisure activities.
• Promotion Opportunities: Retailers can take advantage of these days by posting promotional content, sales announcements, or weekend offers. For example, posting about a Friday Flash Sale at noon can catch consumers when they’re planning their weekend shopping.

2. Media

For media companies, the best time to post on Facebook is early morning (7 am-9 am). Here’s why:

• Morning Routine: Many users start their day by checking the news or catching up on trending topics. Posting early in the morning fits in with this habit, capturing the attention of people scrolling through their feeds before work or school.
• High Engagement Window: Media outlets benefit from posting during this window as it’s peak news consumption time. Users are more likely to engage with articles, videos, and updates that fit into their morning routine.
• Breaking News Advantage: For news agencies or publishers, sharing breaking news or morning updates means you get to readers first. Being first also means more shares and comments as users engage with new content.

3. Education

Educational institutions, online learning platforms, and educators see the most consistent engagement on weekdays at 10 am. 

Here’s why:

• Target Audience: Students, teachers, and parents are most active during the school day. Posting at 10 am means you reach them during a break or a lull in their schedule.
• Peak Learning Times: Mid-morning is when many students and educators are either getting into their day or taking a break between classes, so it’s a good time to post on Facebook and grab their attention.
• Content-Type: Content that adds value, like study tips, educational videos, or event announcements, will get shared more during these times.

4. Healthcare

For the healthcare industry, including hospitals, clinics, wellness brands, and fitness professionals, weekends between 9 am and 11 am are often the best time to post on Facebook. 

Here’s why:

• Weekend Wellness Focus: Many people focus on self-care and wellness during the weekends. Posting in the morning means you reach them when they’re more relaxed and more open to health-related content.
• Family Time: Weekends are when families make health-related decisions, such as choosing a doctor, booking appointments, or looking for wellness advice.
• Fitness Enthusiasts: Fitness centers, gyms, and wellness brands see more decent engagement on weekends, especially if they post content that motivates people to exercise or eat healthy.

Pro Tip: Post content like workout routines, healthy recipes, and wellness tips during these times. Consider posting on Facebook Live sessions for Q&A or hosting virtual wellness events to engage with your audience and become viral on Facebook.

5. Technology

Tech companies, including gadgets, software, and IT services, see the most engagement when posting mid-morning on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Here’s why:

• Work Breaks for Professionals: Tech enthusiasts and professionals engage with content during mid-morning breaks, usually 10 am-11 am.
  This is when they take breaks during conferences or after meetings.
• Product Launches and Updates: Wednesdays and Fridays are good days to post new product launches, tech updates, or industry news. Posting mid-morning means your content will get traction throughout the day.
• Pre-Weekend Planning: Fridays are good for reaching professionals who are planning to buy or upgrade over the weekend.

Pro Tip: Share product demos, explainer videos, or case studies. Interactive Facebook posts like polls or surveys about tech trends also work well.

6. Food and Beverage

For the food and beverage industry (restaurants, cafes, food delivery services), posting during mealtimes (11 am-1 pm and 5 pm-7 pm) works best. 

Here’s why:

• Target Hunger Windows: People are more likely to engage with food content when they’re thinking about their next meal. Posting around lunch or dinner times can trigger cravings and orders.
• Social Dining Plans: Restaurants and cafes can post during mealtimes when people are planning social gatherings to encourage reservations or takeout orders.
• Seasonal Trends: Post around seasonal trends, like iced drinks in summer or hot chocolate in winter, to get more user engagement.

Pro Tip: Use drool-worthy photos and videos of dishes, customer testimonials, and special offers to grab attention. Run time-sensitive offers or contests to encourage immediate engagement and get famous on Facebook.

7. Real Estate

Real estate agents, property developers, and housing services see the best engagement on weekends, especially Saturdays 10 am-12 pm. 

Here’s why:

• House Hunting Times: Most people look for properties over the weekend when they have more free time. Posting around mid-morning aligns with the start of a typical house-hunting day.
• Open House Announcements: Announcing open houses or property viewings early on Saturday can get potential buyers planning their day.
• Targeting Homebuyers: Sharing tips for first-time homebuyers, mortgage advice, or neighborhood guides on weekends can get more shares and engagement.

Pro Tip: Use Facebook Live to host virtual property tours or Q&A sessions. High-quality photos and videos of properties are also key to getting attention.

How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Your Facebook Page

To find the best time to post on Facebook for your page, start by looking at your own data.

Here’s how:

• Review Your Past Posts: Look for patterns in the days and times when your posts got the most likes, comments, and shares. What worked best? Do it again and respect the posting time.
• Segment by Content Type: Different types of content (videos, photos, or text updates) may perform better at different times. Analyze which types of post on Facebook work best at what time of day.
• Track Your Audience: Know when your followers are online and most active. This can be found under the “Posts” section.

Audience Behavior and Engagement

Know your audience, and you’ll know the best times to post on Facebook. Different demographics have different online habits:

1. Younger Audiences: Teenagers and young adults are online late at night or on weekends.
2. Working Professionals: More likely to check post on Facebook during breaks, like lunchtime or early morning before work.
3. Parents: More active during morning hours or late evening when kids are asleep.

Knowing these habits will help you tailor your post on Facebook to your audience.

Time Zones

If you have a global audience, consider the time zones they are in. For example, if a big chunk of your followers are in a different time zone, post on Facebook when they are most active.

1. Test Multiple Time Slots: Try different posting times to see what works best.
2. Use Scheduling Tools: Tools like Buffer and Hootsuite let you schedule a time to post on Facebook to reach multiple time zones.

Being aware of time zones will boost your solid engagement.

Facebook Algorithm

The Facebook algorithm is always changing, how content is shown in user feeds. Here’s how to stay on top:

• Monitor Updates: Keep an eye on changes to the algorithm, like changes in how different types of content are ranked.
• Adapt Fast: Be ready to adjust your Facebook marketing strategy if Facebook starts prioritizing videos over text posts or other changes happen.

Stay with the algorithm, and your content will be visible to your Facebook audience.

Using Facebook Insights

A successful posting schedule is all about using data. Here’s how:

1. Peak Engagement Times: Use Facebook Insights to find when your audience is most active and schedule posts around those times.
2. Schedule Ahead: Use Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posting times in advance for consistency.
3. Review Often: Review your posts regularly to see if you need to adjust.

Using Social Media Management Tool

Social media management tools can automate your posting schedule and give you analytics:

1. Schedule Regularly: Post consistently to build up anticipation and keep your audience engaged.
2. Analyze Results: Use built-in analytics to see what works and adjust.
3. Manage Multiple Accounts: Keep all your social media accounts in one place and post at the right times.

Conclusion

To find the best time to post on Facebook for likes you need to know your audience, provide valuable Insights, test and refine. 

Stay informed, use data to make decisions, and adapt to changes and you’ll get a bigger presence, more reach and engagement on Facebook.

Remember to use tools like SidesMedia to boost your followers and Facebook stories and credibility and stay consistent in your content creation and engagement efforts. 

Becoming recognized on Facebook doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and the right strategies, you can achieve your goals and make a significant impact on the social media platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I post on Facebook to get the most likes?

Post on weekdays, especially late morning to early afternoon. The best times to post on Facebook are 9-11 am when users are starting their day or taking a break.

What is the best time to post on Facebook for maximum exposure?

Mid-morning to early afternoon on Wednesdays and Fridays. Those are the busiest days so your posts will reach more people.

What time do posts get the most likes?

9-11 am on weekdays. Many users are checking Facebook, either starting their day or taking a morning break.

What day and time is Facebook most active?

Wednesdays and Fridays mid-morning to early afternoon. Post on Facebook during those times will help you reach and engage more people since more users are online and active.