Wants to know best time to post on Facebook in Canada?
Without a surprise, Facebook remains the most popular social media platform in Canada, as it is everywhere else. Millions of active Facebook users live across the country, and among them lies your potential audience for online/offline business initiatives.
Posting alone is no longer good enough to guarantee engagement or reach. Time is crucial in determining whether your target audience will see your content. The article provides insights into the best times to post on Facebook in Canada.
When are Canadians the Most Active on Facebook?
Timing can significantly vary depending on your audience. Still, you can use some thumb rules based on research and user behavior in Canada. Studies have revealed potential times to be optimal for Facebook posts across different Canadian regions.
a. Weekdays – Best Days to Post
Midweek Days (Tuesday to Thursday) – Analysis indicates that the best days to post on Facebook are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
These days are less crowded than Mondays, when customers may still recover from the weekend. The same goes for Fridays when Canadians wind down for the weekend. Posting on Wednesday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM can generate higher engagement.
b. Weekends – Posting on Saturday or Sunday
Saturday and Sunday Afternoons (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – While weekdays seem optimal, weekends in Canada also see sufficiently high levels of Facebook engagement. Many Canadians spend their weekends browsing Facebook while relaxing or taking breaks from work.
Posting in the afternoon ensures that your content is available when clients are most likely to engage, especially as they have more free time. If you’re targeting Canadians on Facebook during downtime, Saturday 2:00 PM or Sunday 3:00 PM may result in increments.
Best Times to Post on Facebook by Time Zone
Canada spans several time zones, requiring you to consider the differences in regional habits. While scheduling Facebook posts, you can use the following general time suggestions.
01. Eastern Canada (EST)
- Best Time to Post – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Peak Engagement Time – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Users in Eastern Canada (Toronto and Montreal) tend to check Facebook during lunch break or mid-afternoon. Weekends are a time when many more are likely to relax and engage with content.
Western Canada (PST & MST)
- Best Time to Post – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Peak Engagement Time – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton have active customers during lunch hours and later in the afternoon/evening. Posting just before noon can ensure your content is available when they scroll through their feeds.
Atlantic Canada (AST)
- Best Time to Post – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
- Peak Engagement Time – 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Sunday)
Facebook users living in Atlantic Canada tend to check their account/feed during work breaks and lunch hours. The time zone there is one hour ahead of Eastern Canada, so early afternoon posts can provide the best possible outcome.
Newfoundland and Labrador (NST)
- Best Time to Post – 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Peak Engagement Time – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Newfoundland and Labrador operate in a slightly different time zone. Therefore, you should post just after lunchtime works to catch the audience during breaks at work and/or school.
Factor in Holidays and Local Events
Holidays, special events, and local happenings can significantly impact the timing of your posts. For example, customers may be on Facebook at different times than usual during national holidays like Canada Day or Thanksgiving. You can post early in the morning on Canada Day (July 1st) when Canadians are likely to check their smartphones before they head out for celebrations.
Key Considerations
- Optimal Days – Midweek days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) usually observe higher engagement, with weekends (Saturday and Sunday afternoons) also exhibiting good results.
- Time Zones Matter – Tailoring the Facebook posting times to the time zone of your target audience is crucial. You must initiate a balance for PST, MST, CST, EST, AST, and NST.
- Analyze Your Audience – Use Facebook Insights to identify the best posting times. Or employ third-party services to determine the times based on your specific audiences.
- A/B Testing – Don’t stop testingat different times to see what works the best.Your audience may not follow analytical observations, requiring you toadjust accordingly.
- Content Type – Always adjust the posting times based on your content categories. It’ll help you share the post at the perfect time while knowing whether they’re time-sensitive.
Knowing the best time to post on Facebook in Canada is essential for increasing engagement and expanding your reach. Although general trends can guide your posting schedule, always rely on analytics and experimentation to refine your strategy.