Best time to post LinkedIn content in 2024
So you want to know the best time to post on LinkedIn. Good. Timing is everything when it comes to high engagement on LinkedIn. We analyzed a dataset of over 250.000 top performing posts to find the best times to post on LinkedIn.
Andi Groke
22 Oct 2024
Mastering LinkedIn
6 min
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Overview
The best times to post LinkedIn content are between 10 am and 12 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Posting during these times will get you extra visibility and interaction. Weekdays always perform better than weekends. The mid-morning and lunchtime slots are especially important. They align with work hours, which means professionals are already in work mode.
Weekdays perform well at 9 am and at 5 pm. Looking at all the data, there are also some specific outliers:
Monday at 4 pm.
Wednesday at 2 pm.
Friday at 1 pm.
Having said that, you need to experiment. Every target audience is unique. Here we will share insights you can use for your LinkedIn marketing strategy.
The most important thing to know is that it is about your audience's time zone. Not yours. Don't look up the best posting times and use them. Check your own LinkedIn analytics to know where most of your followers are first. Try different times and see what works best for you.
Industry trends matter too. The technology sector gets slightly higher engagement rates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Healthcare for example is different. It peaks on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
You need to run a inconsistent schedule for the algorithm. Once you found out your best postings times, vary them a bit. And if you have a global audience, change your posting strategy. Time zones matter. Your audience will thank you.
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Table: Find your best time to post LinkedIn content
Remember: It's best to identify a time range, not a specific time. Use two time ranges per day of approximately 2 hours each. Every once in a while go one or two hours out of your selected ranges. This shows the algorithm a natural posting schedule. It also helps to cover followers that have earlier or later commutes. Use these principles to set up a publishing calendar you can follow.
The best time to post on LinkedIn is based on your followers' time zone, not your own
When it comes to LinkedIn, your followers' time zones are key. If your target audience is in Europe, post at 8 am to 10 am CET. If they’re in the U.S., post between 10 am and 12 pm on weekdays. Don’t rely on general data. Your audience may be in a different location. You need to cater to them.
Global audiences have their own unique needs. Peak engagement rates vary by region. Adjust your posting times to reach your audience when they’re most active. Industry trends show that different sectors have their own engagement pattern. Keep that in mind when planning your posting schedule.
The best times to post are not the same for everyone. It depends on your industry, audience type, and the time zone of your followers. If you’re targeting decision-makers, they have different habits than entry-level professionals. Use LinkedIn analytics to see when your followers are most active. This will help you find the optimal time to post.
Different times for different industries
Industry trends are also important. Technology professionals are active during work hours on weekdays. The non-profit sector? Weekends work better for them. Use social media analytics to get insights on your target audience. It makes a difference, because industries have different peak engagement times. Tailor your content for your specific audience. When you understand your audience, you can make sure your content is what they want when they want it.
The time LinkedIn users are most active
Overall LinkedIn users are most active during their work week. The best times to post content are between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Peak activity is from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Posting at these times usually gives more reach and a high engagement rate.
To find the best time for you, use LinkedIn analytics. Look at when your posts get the above average engagement. Try different times during the day, over a few weeks, and see what works best. Track your engagement slots in a spreadsheet to find the time slots that work best for you. You can also export your LinkedIn data to excel.
You should check 2 key metrics on your LinkedIn analytics. Your followers location and your post engagement spikes.
To check your own analytics, follow these steps on your LinkedIn page:
Step 1: Log in and go to your LinkedIn profile page.
Step 2: Under the analytics section click “Show all analytics”.
Step 3: Click on the top right tile where it says “Followers”.
Step 4: Scroll to “Top Demographics“ and change the dropdown from “Job Titles” to “Location”.
Now you can see where most of your followers live. This is the time zone you optimise for.
Scheduling tools make life easier. But remember to vary your schedule. Otherwise the LinkedIn Algorithm will pick up on this automation. Experiment with different times in the beginnen. Then, schedule content for the time zone most of your audience lives.
Don't always post when everyone else is posting
Many users posts during peak times. That means more competition. Your content strategy doesn‘t want competition, right? Sometimes, it’s better to post at less crowded times and earlier ahead. Analyze your competitors. Look for time slots that are less crowded but still effective. You might find a good time that works well for you. My recommendation is to set 2 time ranges per day. Each of approximately 2 hours based on the table above. Then use scheduling tool and pick a random time slot in that range every day. Don‘t use the exact time twice. Every once in a while post 30 minutes to 1 hour before or after your time range.
Use a mix of optimal posting times for LinkedIn
Try different time slots. Use both peak times and off-peak times. You’ll reach more people that way. Off-peak times connect you with audiences not active during standard business hours. It’s about finding a balance. The algorithm will also see this as human, which is good.
Your best time to post LinkedIn content might be different
General recommendations are a good start. But you need to analyze your own audience data. Your target audience is unique. Different industries, different behaviors. Use your own metrics to find the optimal time to post. Experiment. See what works for your specific audience. Find what’s right for you. But if you don‘t have time for that, start with the time slots in the table provided above.
Schedule your posts evenly throughout the week
Consistency is key. Spread your posts out during the week. This keeps your audience engaged. They will sooner or later expect your content. Expectation yields the highest engagement rate and that will help maintain your growth.
The best times to post on LinkedIn are between 10 am to 12 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The top five best hours of content posted are:
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
These times generally get an above average engagement rate.
The best times to post on LinkedIn are different each day. A few slots are similar each day, but here is the rundown:
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Mondays
Mondays can be tricky. The best times are between 9 am and 2 pm. 11 am is a sweet spot. Some studies show increased engagement in the early afternoon.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Tuesdays
Tuesdays are great for LinkedIn. Best times are from 6 am to 8 am and from 10 am to 12 pm. These are consistent winners. Tuesday also ranks better than Monday.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Wednesdays
Wednesdays are pretty strong. Post content between 10 am and 12 pm. Peak engagement stays high until around 3 pm.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Thursdays
Thursdays work well. Posting at 10 am and between 9 am to 2 pm gives good results. Early afternoon is also effective.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Fridays
Fridays are best between 8 am and 1 pm. Peak times are 10 am and 11 am. Later in the day, most engagement drops off. Everyone runs off for the weekend, I guess.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Saturdays
Saturdays are not good for LinkedIn. But posting between 4 pm and 5 pm in the afternoon can still get some content engagement.
Best Time To Post On LinkedIn On Sundays
Sundays are slow too. The best time to post content is at 6 pm. You might see some light engagement in the late morning or afternoon. I recommend to look for other high engagement slots.
B2C Businesses: Post during lunch breaks (12 pm to 1 pm) on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
B2B Businesses: Before work, at lunch hours, and after evening commutes work well. Peak times are 8 am, 10 am to 12 pm, and 6 pm. Wednesdays are especially good.
Hospitals & Healthcare: Most weekdays work well. Peak times are on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Restaurants: Late morning to early afternoon works best on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Schools & Education: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 pm are optimal. Early morning works well, too.
Travel & Hospitality: Late morning and early afternoon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Industry-specific trends are key. Each sector has different habits. Understand these habits to maximize engagement. Tailor your strategy to fit your industry. It will make a big difference.
Weekends and late-night hours are not good. Engagement drops a lot during these times. Always aim for traditional business hours. LinkedIn is not like other social media platforms. Always remember it‘s a professional platform. Avoid posting when it's the middle of the night for your audience. Anything after 10:00 PM shows a significant drop off. Engagement is also lower on Saturdays and Sundays compared to weekdays.
What is the best time to post on LinkedIn for maximum exposure?
The optimal time to post for maximum exposure is between 10 am and 12 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
What is the best day to post on LinkedIn?
The best day to post on LinkedIn is Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday work well, too. Those days will give you great engagement.
What is the best time of day to post on LinkedIn?
The best time of day to post on LinkedIn is between 10 am and 12 pm. Content posted during the afternoon break will also give slightly higher engagement.
When and how often to post on LinkedIn?
Post consistently throughout the work week. Once a day or a few times a week is good for maintaining visibility and growth. There are high engagement slots throughout the week.
How often should you post on LinkedIn to get more engagement?
Try to post content three to five times a week. It helps maintain a strong presence and shows the algorithm you’re serious. But it depends on your entire social media management. Always prioritze quality over quantity.
Should you post on LinkedIn every day?
Posting daily can help, but focus on high quality content. Make sure every post adds value. Two high quality posts per week are a lot better than 5 generic ones.
Does posting daily on LinkedIn help?
It helps if the content is relevant and engaging. Otherwise, it will harm you visibility. The LinkedIn algorithm shows your content based on engagement off previous posts.
What days do people use LinkedIn the most?
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays see the most activity from many users. Incorporate those days in your social media strategy to show up in most users feeds.
Is there a bad time to post on LinkedIn?
Yes, weekends and late-night hours are always bad times. Engagement drops a lot during these times. This is a lot different compared to other social platforms. LinkedIn is a professional platform, not a social media platform. That‘s why we see the engagement dropping after business hours.
Is it OK to post more than once a day on LinkedIn?
Yes, as long as the content is good and your audience is active enough. If your audience only has time to engage on one of your posts per day, spread them out. Sometimes it‘s better to post content once a day. Don’t overwhelm your audience.
Author
Andi Groke
Andi is the CEO of Mind Nexus and Co-Founder of postline.ai. He is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker and former Dentsu executive. Andi worked in marketing for more than 15 years, serving clients such as Disney and Mastercard. Today he is developing AI marketing software for agencies and brands and is involved in several SaaS projects.