Since we released article scheduling as a new feature (props to @lightalloy π), I've been wondering when the best time to post on DEV might be...
So, I figured I'd ask y'all. When do you think the optimal time to post on DEV is? Has anybody dug into the data to figure out when they can get the best visibility on their articles?
Top comments (19)
I think the real point is that to become a good writer, regularity leads to quantity which leads to quality.
Define a schedule that fits you and stick to it.
I like that take. It sounds like what you're getting at is discipline and I'd agree. It's like the gym... do it regularly and you'll improve, but fall off track and it's really hard to get back on it.
Not even discipline.
I don't believe in discipline it comes and go all the time.
It's about creating an habit
I think we probs agree more than we disagree, but I'd argue that it takes discipline to build a healthy habit like writing.
For instance, I'm in the habit of drinking coffee every day, but it really doesn't take much work for me to make myself coffee each morning.
Writing a post is bit tougher than most habits but it does get easier the more you do it and you generally get better the more you do it. That's why I think it takes more discipline than it is just a regular habit.
It's more like going to the gym to me than drinking coffee.
The best time to post is 20 years ago. Wait that's when to plant a tree.
A tip I read was to not post on the hour. That when most scheduled stuff is sent so post a little after the hour so the notifications aren't lost in the inbox.
Oooo that's a really good point! Hadn't thought of that angle before...
Yeah, think about your inbox when you login in the morning. It's full of stuff from overnight and early morning notifications. You might miss something in all that. But after your initial overview of mail you pay more attention to new notifications.
There was this incredible post a few months back that tackled this exact question. Not sure if the data is still relevant today, but the results they obtained were interesting.
How to increase engagement in your blog post? (Tips to grow on dev.to using analytics)
Hung Vu γ» Apr 28 γ» 7 min read
Wow, that is one detailed, data-backed breakdown and exactly what I was looking for. So awesome!! Appreciate ya sharing!
I wonder why there was a traffic surge to my old article, so here it was from π
My analysis was from real time data back then. Recently, Dev seems to changed their user feed algorithm so my analysis might not be applicable anymore.
That said, you can always look for realtime data at foremanalytics.sdeproject.com/ and make your own conclusion. I hope this helps!
Most optimal??? Might want to fix that title.
As for the question itself... if you ask me, there shouldn't be an optimal time. The cream should rise to the top.
This gets back to the big conversation from a while back about the 'worthiness' of content and avalanches of junk burying quality content.
I agree with the sentiment, but I'm not sure it's pratical.
Let's look at Stack Exchange for a minute. They have all sorts of metrics: votes, tags, edits, type of text in a post, etc., but they can't make good questions rise to the top.
And arguably it's easier for SE, because a good question is somewhat more quantifiable.
What is a good article? I think the stuff I write is good, but it gets very little engagement. Maybe I'm writing dreck. It's super subjective.
OK, so, posts that have the title "test" and the body "test" can be slung in the bin, but much beyond that, how can you tell?
Super difficult I know... as it is very subjective. I think some metrics might be possible though - originality (lack of similarity to previous post content/subjects), plagiarism index (have they just copy pasted from reference docs?), subject uniqueness (is this the umpteenth 'let, var, const' post? If so, is it somehow different? Although determining a subject could be tricky), frecency (how much are people looking at it, how old is it), etc.
Right now it largely feels like 'newest or most clickbaity wins' - which isn't ideal.
Hahaha, good point about the title!
And appreciate your point of view.
Other than "not on the weekend" I haven't been able to figure this out.
My three most viewed posts were posted between 9am and 1pm GMT. But I've tried that range since with mixed results.
Definitely feel ya on "not on the weekend" sentiment! We do indeed see dips in traffic over the weekend.
I think the best time to post on DEV would be 10:00 am to 12:00 am US Eastern. By the way posting regularly would increase the visibility on their articles.
My humble opinion is between 9 am and 1 pm Monday to Thursday.
Nice! That's typically when I try to post a lotta my articles too.