The ideal times according to marketing agencies (the easy way out)

Here is exactly what you’re looking for: the magic hours to post on LinkedIn. Because, let’s be honest, if you follow these schedules like a pro, your content is bound to take off, right?

The thing is, there are tons of cute infographics out there showing you the best time to post; it’s the go-to lead magnet for many social media agencies. Now, there’s just one problem… No one can agree on the ideal time slot to hit publish!

According to Oberlo, the cream of the crop is between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

But HubSpot sees things differently: The best time to post on LinkedIn is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

Finally, Sprout Social, based on engagement data, tells us that the best times are Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at noon, Thursdays at 9 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and Fridays at 9 a.m.

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Is it a mess, or is it just me?

It’s time to take stock of all this information. Based on these figures, the best time to post on LinkedIn would be:

• Wednesdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., or 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., or 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, maybe in the morning, or perhaps in the afternoon, or even at noon.
• Oh, and of course, don't forget Sunday.

But before you rush to adjust your content calendar, two questions are probably racing through your mind:

• Is the time of publication really the crucial factor for shining on LinkedIn?
• What exactly is the "best" time to publish?

Actually, it depends.

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The (never-ending) quest for the best time

In reality, you quickly realize that "best" can mean different things depending on the platform providing the stats. Some companies base it on the time slot when the most people are online, others on when there is the most interaction with content…

Our best advice if you want to reach your audience is to track your own stats and analyze them.

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Identify YOUR BEST TIME to post on LinkedIn

We aren't going to act like timing gurus and give you a rule set in stone, like "Tuesday at 10 AM is fire!" No, no, every audience is different.

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Analyze your top-performing posts

Take a look at the posts that really took off and look for patterns. When were they posted—what day, what time?

LinkedIn's built-in tools give you an overview of your posts, their engagement, and their reach. Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache, and there are other tools that let you know exactly when your content performs best. They rely on your past stats to identify your peak times.

Among these tools, you can find:

• Shield
• Iconosquare
• Hootsuite

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Check out your competitors' profiles

What would LinkedIn be without a little stalking? Use the most social aspect of the network to your advantage.

Take a look at your rivals' LinkedIn profiles, especially those who are killing it. You'll get a glimpse of what they consider to be their best moments. If you're playing in the same league and the same professional sector, there's a good chance your audiences overlap.

Pro tip: Many people post right on the hour. To stand out, try posting a few minutes before or after; it’s a small twist that makes all the difference.

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Try, adjust, and repeat

Timing isn't set in stone. Your audience evolves, and so do you and the seasons. The times that drive engagement on your posts can change. Keep a regular eye on your stats, and if things get stuck, try new time slots.

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Sorry, but the time might not be the problem…

You have the right to dislike us after this, but we’re going to tell you everything. Ready?

The truth is, the time of publication isn't necessarily the problem; your post or its hook and structure might be to blame. What you need to understand here is that content destined to crush it on LinkedIn will crush it, NO MATTER WHAT.

A good post is one that performs well and hits its goal. It’s not that simple, man. It needs to position you as the boss in your field to generate leads and opportunities.

So, sorry to disappoint you, but posting on the network at 7:30 AM or 10:00 AM won't change much if your content doesn't knock it out of the park.

However, let’s be clear: posting at midnight on a Saturday is like shouting into the void. In short, focus on the content rather than the exact time, and everything will be just fiiiiiine.

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Our tips for working on your content

We aren't asking you to be a professional; the essential thing for engaging your audience or finding new clients is working on your message! Writing a good LinkedIn post is a topic (link to article) that deserves more space, but here are the basics of content creation:

Be consistent over time: beyond visibility or the social aspect, posting is about gathering data that allows you to identify what works (or doesn't).

Focus on engagement: Don't hesitate to shake things up. Comments are the real gems, so ask questions, start a debate, take a stand…

Get involved: You need to be the teacher's pet here, the one in the front row participating 24/7. Show LinkedIn that you spend time on the platform and that you support other content creators.

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The debrief

Finding the right day or the best time to post on LinkedIn is fine, but it’s not the Holy Grail.

It’s the content that hits the mark. Focus on the message, not just the timing. The crucial factor that makes all the difference? Boldness, debate, and the impact you have on your reader.

You can use infographics about the best times and days to get started, but eventually, you’ll need to dive into your own data. So, find your own peak hours, test, and refine.

But remember, it’s not just about the time—you and your content are the real boss.

P.S. If you want more, we’ve launched our ghostwriting course, where we share all our tips based on over 5,000 posts written by the team.

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