Using AI to Find the Best Times to Post on Social Networks

Part of 📅 MODULE 3: Planning, Scheduling & Consistency (Articles 11–14) in Crash Course: Managing Social Media with AI Tools as a Service

AKA: When should you actually hit “Post” so it doesn’t disappear into the digital void?

Alright, real talk.

You ever spend way too long crafting the perfect post? I’m talking the right image, caption’s got just the right amount of sass and sparkle, you even double-checked your hashtags—and then you post it…

…and crickets.

Nothing.
Maybe your mom liked it (thanks, Mom), but other than that? It’s like screaming into a canyon.

Been there. Felt that. Possibly threw my phone across the couch in frustration.

The truth? Timing matters. Like, a lot more than we want to admit.

But hey—before you start panicking and trying to manually track your audience’s behavior like some kind of Instagram detective, let’s chill for a second. AI’s got our back here, and today, I’m gonna walk you through how to actually use it to find your ideal posting times across social media platforms.

Spoiler: It’s easier than you think. And kind of fun once you get into it.

Why Timing is Everything (But Also Not the Whole Thing)

Before we get into the nerdy-cool AI stuff, let’s just zoom out for a sec.

Why does timing even matter?

Because algorithms (those sneaky little creatures) love engagement. And early engagement—right after you post—tells the platform:

“Hey, people like this thing! Let’s show it to more humans before it turns into digital dust.”

So if you post when your audience is asleep, working, or, I don’t know, watching the latest season of The Bear (which deserves full attention, to be fair)—you’re setting yourself up for a flop.

BUT—and this is important—the “best time” is not universal.
That whole “post at 10AM on Tuesdays” advice? Eh. It might work. Or it might be garbage for your specific audience. We’re not baking cookies here—there is no one-size-fits-all recipe.

That’s where AI slides into the DMs with a wink and says, “I got you.”

The Old-School Way vs. The AI Way

In the old days (like, 2017), finding the best time to post meant:

• Staring at your analytics
• Tracking engagement manually
• Creating spreadsheets (ew)
• Guessing. A lot.

Now? AI can crunch data from your followers’ behaviors, analyze your content patterns, and spit out exactly when you should post for max impact.

Honestly? It’s like having a data scientist in your back pocket—without the awkward small talk.

Tools That Use AI to Find Optimal Post Times

Alright, let’s meet the digital squad. These are the tools out there doing the math so you don’t have to.

📊 Meta Business Suite (Facebook + Instagram)

This one’s built in, and surprisingly smart. It doesn’t shout “AI” in neon, but it’s analyzing your engagement patterns constantly. It’ll suggest when your followers are most active—and you can schedule straight from the insights. Easy.

🤖 Later.com

Later’s “Best Time to Post” feature is powered by machine learning. It observes when your audience tends to interact with your posts and fine-tunes its suggestions over time. Plus, it’s got a super pretty calendar. And we love pretty calendars.

🧠 Hootsuite with OwlyWriter AI

The analytics dashboard will show you heatmaps (hello, visual learners!) for when your followers are active. And OwlyWriter can even help adjust post timing based on content type. Wild.

📅 Sprout Social

If you’re feeling a bit fancier, Sprout’s AI tools don’t just guess—they predict. They calculate optimal times based on your audience data, not industry averages. It’s like having a content fortune teller, but with graphs.

⚙️ Metricool + AI Predictive Models

Metricool analyzes your account behavior and competitor performance to give you tailored time slots. Combine that with its smart scheduling and you’re golden.

Wait… What If You’re Just Starting Out?

I hear you.
You’re thinking, “But I only have 94 followers and three of them are bots. Does AI even work for me?”

YES.
Absolutely. Maybe it won’t be perfect right away, but the cool thing about machine learning is—it learns. The more content you post, the more your AI tools gather info, the better the recommendations get. So think of it like teaching a puppy. Starts a little clumsy, ends up loyal AF.

Story Time: The “Wrong Time” That Was Oh-So-Right (Kind Of)

Quick flashback.
I once scheduled a post at 1:15AM by accident. Thought I was queuing it for the next day, but nope—it went out right after midnight. Thought it was doomed.

But surprise: it blew up. Like, more likes than I’d gotten in weeks.
Why? Turns out a chunk of my audience was made up of night owl creatives scrolling at 1AM. I had no clue.

And yes, the next day, I let my AI tool (Later, at the time) adjust my time slots accordingly.

So moral of the story? Sometimes you get lucky. But usually, you want AI in your corner so it’s not all guesswork.

How to Use AI to Pinpoint YOUR Best Time (Step-by-Step-ish)

Let’s break it down into actual, doable moves.

1. Choose a Tool That Works for You

Start free if needed. Later, Metricool, Meta Business Suite—all have freemium options.

2. Post Consistently for a Week or Two

AI needs data. Don’t overthink it—just show up, post stuff, and keep it going.

3. Use Insights or “Best Time” Suggestions

Check your tool’s AI-generated posting times. Take notes. Are evenings hot for you? Mornings? Wednesdays?

4. Experiment and Track Results

Try different time slots across platforms. Keep an eye on engagement. You don’t need spreadsheets—just glance at your stats once a week and adjust.

5. Let the Tool Optimize Automatically

Many tools now auto-suggest the best time when you go to schedule. Trust it. Worst case, tweak it later. You’re not handcuffed to the algorithm.

Pro Tips (from Someone Who’s Messed This Up a Lot)

• Different platforms = different times. Your TikTok crowd is not your LinkedIn crowd. Don’t treat them the same unless you enjoy posting into the void.
• Don’t over-fixate. Perfect timing won’t save bad content. But great content posted at the right time? That’s the secret sauce.
• Be human. Even with AI timing, if something big happens (like a major news event), maybe pause that meme post. Read the room. 🙃
• Trust your gut, too. Sometimes the algorithm’s suggestion doesn’t feel right. Listen to that little voice. You’re building a brand, not running a factory.

Final Thoughts: Your Audience Has a Rhythm—AI Just Helps You Hear It

Finding the best time to post isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about meeting your people where they’re already hanging out.

And if AI can help you show up in their feed at just the right moment—when they’ve got coffee in hand and a scroll-happy thumb—that’s not cheating. That’s working smarter.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. Use the tech. Make the tweaks. Post when it matters.

And hey—if something flops? Try again. You’re not a robot. You’re learning, growing, adjusting. That’s what real creators do.

Today’s Homework (No Timer Required)

1. Choose a platform and scheduling tool.
2. Post at three different times this week (morning, afternoon, night).
3. Look at the numbers. What worked? What didn’t?
4. Let the tool recommend your “best time” next week—and test that.

Optional: Have a celebratory snack. 🍩 You deserve it.

Coming up next: “Using AI to Respond to Comments Without Sounding Like a Customer Service Bot” — because engagement is the new algorithm fuel.

See you there. Bring snacks.