What is the optimal length for a social media post?

1 Facebook posts

Facebook is the largest and most diverse social media platform, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users. It allows you to share different types of content, such as text, images, videos, links, stories, and live streams. However, that also means that you have to compete with a lot of noise and algorithms that prioritize certain posts over others. So how long should your Facebook posts be? According to various studies and experts, the optimal length for a Facebook post is between 40 and 80 characters. This is because shorter posts tend to capture attention and encourage clicks, while longer posts may get cut off or ignored by users who scroll quickly. However, this doesn't mean that you should always write short posts. Sometimes, you may want to tell a story, share a testimonial, or provide more details about your product or service. In that case, you can write longer posts, but make sure to use clear and concise language, break up your text with paragraphs and emojis, and include a compelling image or video to accompany your text.

2 Twitter posts

Twitter is the platform for concise and timely communication, with over 330 million monthly active users. It limits your posts to 280 characters, which means that you have to be creative and strategic with your words. The optimal length for a Twitter post depends on your purpose and message. If you want to share a link, a quote, or a statistic, you should aim for around 100 characters, as this leaves enough space for users to retweet and comment on your post. If you want to start a conversation, ask a question, or express an opinion, you should use the full 280 characters, as this gives you more room to engage with your followers and show your personality. However, regardless of your post length, you should always use hashtags, mentions, and emojis wisely, as they can help you increase your visibility and relevance on Twitter.

3 Instagram posts

Instagram is the platform for visual storytelling, with over 1 billion monthly active users. It allows you to share photos, videos, stories, reels, and IGTV episodes that showcase your brand identity and aesthetic. The optimal length for an Instagram post depends on your format and goal. If you are posting a photo or a video, you should keep your caption short and sweet, between 20 and 30 words. This is because most users focus on the visual content and only read the caption if it catches their eye. You should use your caption to add context, humor, emotion, or a call to action to your post, and use hashtags and mentions to boost your exposure and engagement. If you are posting a story, a reel, or an IGTV episode, you can use longer captions, between 50 and 150 words, as these formats are more interactive and immersive. You should use your caption to tell a story, share a tip, educate your audience, or invite them to take action, and use stickers, polls, quizzes, and filters to make your post more fun and engaging.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?