Best time of day to post a question?
 

Hey, Fodorites, here's something I've wondered about - I've been somewhat addicted to this site for about five years, asking questions when planning a trip, and answering them when I feel that I have useful knowledge to contribute - but I don't participate quite as avidly as I know that a number of you do. I'm hoping that those of you who notice these things might be able to tell me - If I have a question, what time of day should I post it to ensure the best possibility of getting a useful answer? In the morning when people who surf the net from work, are likely to be online? In the early evening, when folks at home are vegging out online after their workday? And, does it make a difference if it's about the eastern or western part of the US? Also, is the timing different for those looking for info for the US and for Europe? Unfortunately, it often seems that the time I'm most likely to be checking in is the late evening, after whatever I've had going on that evening is done, but I think that might not be the most opportune time to be asking for advice. I hate to do the "to the top" thing if I haven't received the info I'm looking for. I have a question on an upcoming trip that I'd like to ask, but I thought it would be useful if I could optimize when I'm most likely to get a useful response.

Thanks for any thoughts on this - I presume this would be useful information to others besides me!

Oops , I meant to include this - I'm on the east coast (EST, or EDT coming up soon), I know that makes a difference.

I could attempt to make all kinds of assumptions from past experience. Perhaps if you are asking about California it might be wise NOT to post when it is 5 AM in California. On the other hand, I've noticed that much of the best California information comes from frequent travelers who live on the East coast -- so throw that theory out the window. And I really can't figure out why sometimes a post will get a lot of responses in the morning or the evening. Sometimes a post gets no action, then finally gets a single response and wham, within an hour a dozen people have commented again. But that may be more because people are really reacting to the first response, not to the original question.
So the bottom line is: I don't think it makes any difference when you post.

Why do you not like to top your own thread? I find it's a very effective way to get a response. If I post in the a.m. and no one responds, I'll usually wait until the next day, then top it in the afternoon or evening. You can always try topping again on a Saturday morning for the weekend crowd. Make sure that your title question is very specific (I haven't checked your history so I don't know if you're one of the "generic question offenders") and be patient--I've noticed that some of the most knowledgable posters (on the Europe board in particular) check in infrequently, but when they do they dig deep and find questions I'd asked a week or two ago.

Me, too, I'll take stab at this. :)

I've noticed that people don't response as much on weekends.

I tend to come on early in the morning west coast time and by then a lively discussion has already been ongoing, so I would hazard that the best time to post a question is early morning east coast time.

Just my two cents' worth!

Day time is better--I know I am usually on at work more then I am weekends (all evidence to the contrary right now).

If you do not get a response to your question, top your own!! Best way to get people to see it!

It doesn't make any difference what time of the day you post. I wish the posting time was Pacific Time so the east coast people would have to do the math. But then those Florida people would be at a total lose.