The Best Times to Post on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn in 2026

Timing is everything when it comes to social media success. You can have the best content in the world, but if you’re posting when your audience isn’t online, it won’t get the attention it deserves.

In 2026, social media algorithms are smarter, competition is higher, and audience habits are shifting. To help your brand stay ahead, we’ve rounded up the best posting times for the major platforms, based on the latest engagement data and Crafted East’s own insights.

Even with clever algorithms and scheduling tools, timing remains a key part of social strategy. Posting when your audience is active helps:

• Boost reach and visibility
• Increase likes, comments and shares
• Signal quality engagement to the platform’s algorithm
• Strengthen your overall brand awareness

Consistency and timing work hand in hand, so knowing when to post is just as important as knowing what to post.

Instagram continues to dominate visual marketing, especially for brands that value creativity, storytelling and community.

Best times:
Tuesday to Thursday, 10am – 2pm
These mid-morning to early-afternoon slots capture users on lunch breaks and in downtime.

Bonus tip:

• Reels tend to perform best between 6pm and 8pm, when users are scrolling after work.
• Avoid posting early Monday mornings or late Friday nights as engagement usually dips.

Despite newer platforms, Facebook remains a powerful channel for businesses, particularly for community engagement and local visibility.

Best times:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am – 1pm
Morning posts often see higher interaction rates as people check updates before starting their day.

Bonus tip:

• Use Facebook Insights to see exactly when your audience is active
• Posting consistently 3–4 times per week keeps your page fresh without overwhelming followers

LinkedIn has become more dynamic, creative, and content-driven, perfect for sharing insights, success stories, and thought leadership.

Best times:
Tuesday to Thursday, 8am – 11am
Professional audiences are most active during work hours, especially mid-week.

Bonus tip:

• Avoid weekends as engagement can drop sharply
• Posts with visuals or behind-the-scenes photos perform 2–3× better than plain text
• Respond to comments quickly to boost post visibility and encourage discussion

Every audience is different. The best times above are a guide but data is your best friend.

To find your brand’s ideal schedule:

1. Use built-in analytics (Meta Business Suite, Instagram Insights, LinkedIn Analytics)
2. Test different times and track engagement over several weeks
3. Review results monthly and adjust your content calendar

At Crafted East, we help clients analyse their performance data and build social strategies that work. Our approach combines creative content with timing that delivers results.