Best Times to Run Ads and Post on Social Media for US E-commerce

best times to run ads

In the frantic world of US online shopping, timing isn’t just crucial; it’s essential. If you’re putting up social media or running ads on the internet and you’re not paying attention to the time of day when your audience is engaged, then you’ve left a lot of cash on the table. No matter if you’re a veteran online retailer or you’re just looking to expand your online store, knowing the most effective times to interact with your customers will improve conversion rates, boost the ROI, and build an even stronger brand image.

Best Times to Run Ads

In this guide from EcomnDev.com, we’ll discover the most effective times to run ads and posts via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google. In addition, we’ll explain the top brands in e-commerce, creating their ads to perfection, and how you can achieve the same results.

Why Timing Matters in E-commerce Advertising

Effective e-commerce marketing relies on reaching the right customers at the right time. According to Statista, over 80 percent of Americans purchase online regularly, and a majority are affected by social media and paid ads. However, consumers aren’t always online. Publishing content or running ads in the off-hours can result in fewer views, less engagement, and lost sales.

Top E-commerce Goals That Timing Impacts:

  • Rate of click-through (CTR)
  • Rate of conversion (CR)
  • Cost-per-click (CPC)
  • Return on ad spend (ROAS)
  • Comments and social shares
  • Click rates

The Best Times to Post on Social Media (2025 Data)

Below are some of the best times to make posts on the most popular platforms for e-commerce companies with US locations. Based on the latest trends in consumer behaviour:

Facebook

  • Best Days: Tuesday to Thursday
  • Best Times: 9 AM to 1 PM (EST)
  • What is the reason Facebook users tend to use their smartphones during breaks at work and in the early afternoon periods of lulls?

Instagram

  • Best Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
  • Best Times: 11 AM and 3 PM (EST)
  • What’s the reason? Instagram’s younger user base is active during lunch and after-work hours.

TikTok

  • Best Days: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Best Times: 6 AM-9 AM and 7 PM-10 PM (EST)
  • What’s the reason? Early morning risers and night owls dominate TikTok. The entertainment is also high during non-working hours.

Pinterest

  • Best Days: Saturday and Sunday
  • Best Times: 8 PM-11 PM (EST)
  • What is it? Pinterest is widely used on weekends to plan fashion, DIY, and interior design ideas.

LinkedIn

  • Best Days: Tuesday-Thursday
  • Best Times: 7 AM-9 AM and 4 PM-6 PM (EST)
  • What is the reason professionals regularly check for updates on their commutes and after work?

Tip: Use scheduling tools such as Buffer, Hootsuite or Later to publish during peak times with no any manual effort.

Best Times to Run E-commerce Ads in the US

Paid ads are all focused on getting users to click when they’re ready for action. Below are the optimal windows for each platform:

Google Ads

  • Best Days: Monday to Friday
  • Best Times: 8 AM to 11 AM (EST)
  • What is the reason users tend to search during their working hours, particularly for comparisons of products?

Facebook/Instagram Ads

  • Best Times: 7 AM-9 AM and 5 PM-9 PM (EST)
  • What is it? Is it important to keep track of users on their commutes or during idle times?

YouTube Ads

  • The best times are 6 PM to 10 PM (EST), particularly on Sundays and Thursdays.
  • The evening is the best time for watching videos.

TikTok Ads

  • The best times are 7 PM-11 PM (EST) (especially weekends).
  • What is the reason that users who watch at night are more likely to be engaged and make purchases after viewing entertaining videos?

Need assistance in setting up ads that convert well? EcomnDev offers full-service ecommerce development and performance marketing specifically tailored to the US audience.

Seasonal Timing for Maximum ROI

The timing of the season is also important. Making campaigns around holidays or other events can have a huge impact:

  • Q4 (October-December): Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. Ad spend is at a peak, as is the conversion rate.
  • “Back-to-School” (August-September): Target parents and students with relevant deals.
  • Sale in Summer (June-July): Focus on travel, outdoor, and fashion e-commerce.