4 ms·

Ask HN: At what time to post an “Ask” for maximum exposure?

12 points by leksak 10y ago

At which time, please specify GMT/UTC, is the best time to achieve maximum exposure for an ask on this site? Has anyone gathered any data on this?

zhte415 10y ago
If I were doing this, I'd do it at the best time for me. After some sleep, my goal is ready, for example testing a product, and when similar-type things get upvoted. This depends a lot on niche, I think. For Ask though, I always visit it when also visiting the homepage, as a lot of interesting questions get posted. Perhaps for Show an optimal time is more critical?
_RPM 10y ago
I don't think it's about when, it's about what you ask. This is based off instinct; I don't have data to back it up. The Ask HN page is small.
- ng-user 10y ago
  Piggybacking off of this, post an intriguing question and it will get a lot attention no matter the time. Often posts last for upwards of 6-8 hours assuming they're popular threads, there's a reason other's die off in 20 minutes.
ffggvv 10y ago
Not now it seems.
brudgers 10y ago
My observation is that exposure is more a function of thoughtful content and dumb luck than timing. If there's an interesting question waiting in the wings, my advice would be to just ask it.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
tcamp 10y ago
My good friend google told me that 12PM UTC on Wednesday is the best time to post. Its and old article though... https://wiredcraft.com/blog/how-to-post-on-hacker-news/ https://wiredcraft.com/blog/how-to-post-on-hacker-news/
- Mz 10y ago
  It is a popular topic here: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=best%20time%20to%20post&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=best%20time%20to%20post&sort=b...
Mz 10y ago
This is very much more about writing a good hook. For example, I asked about small shops, but didn't use the right language it seems. It was ignored: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10314142 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10314142 In contrast, this got 390 upvotes and made the front page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12065355 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12065355 I have gotten articles onto the front page. My experience with that suggests it has little or nothing to do with when you post. It is mostly about posting something good.

12 points by leksak 10y ago

At which time, please specify GMT/UTC, is the best time to achieve maximum exposure for an ask on this site? Has anyone gathered any data on this?

zhte415 10y ago

If I were doing this, I'd do it at the best time for me. After some sleep, my goal is ready, for example testing a product, and when similar-type things get upvoted. This depends a lot on niche, I think. For Ask though, I always visit it when also visiting the homepage, as a lot of interesting questions get posted. Perhaps for Show an optimal time is more critical?

_RPM 10y ago

I don't think it's about when, it's about what you ask. This is based off instinct; I don't have data to back it up. The Ask HN page is small.

ng-user 10y ago
Piggybacking off of this, post an intriguing question and it will get a lot attention no matter the time. Often posts last for upwards of 6-8 hours assuming they're popular threads, there's a reason other's die off in 20 minutes.

ffggvv 10y ago

Not now it seems.

brudgers 10y ago

My observation is that exposure is more a function of thoughtful content and dumb luck than timing. If there's an interesting question waiting in the wings, my advice would be to just ask it.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

tcamp 10y ago

My good friend google told me that 12PM UTC on Wednesday is the best time to post. Its and old article though... https://wiredcraft.com/blog/how-to-post-on-hacker-news/ https://wiredcraft.com/blog/how-to-post-on-hacker-news/

Mz 10y ago
It is a popular topic here: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=best%20time%20to%20post&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=best%20time%20to%20post&sort=b...

Mz 10y ago

This is very much more about writing a good hook. For example, I asked about small shops, but didn't use the right language it seems. It was ignored: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10314142 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10314142 In contrast, this got 390 upvotes and made the front page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12065355 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12065355 I have gotten articles onto the front page. My experience with that suggests it has little or nothing to do with when you post. It is mostly about posting something good.