Staying Ahead in a Swipe-First World: The Ultimate Guide to What Works on Social Media (Right Now)
From post size to timing to content type, here’s your no-fluff cheat sheet to staying current — and staying seen.
Social media moves fast. One day you’re using TikTok Notes, the next it’s retired. Instagram's algorithm changes weekly, and LinkedIn is now launching games. To stay relevant and effective, brands and creators need to stay flexible, updated, and strategic.
This guide is your one-stop resource for staying on top of what’s working in 2025: the right image sizes, when to post, and what kinds of content actually perform best across the major platforms.
📀 Recommended Image & Video Sizes (Updated for 2025)
Feed: 1080 x 1350 px (portrait) or 1080 x 1080 px (square)
Stories/Reels: 1080 x 1920 px (vertical)
Feed: 1200 x 630 px (landscape)
Stories: 1080 x 1920 px
Cover Photo: 820 x 312 px
Image Post: 1200 x 627 px
Profile Banner: 1584 x 396 px
Video Post: 1080 x 1080 px or 1920 x 1080 px
X (Twitter) & Bluesky
Feed Image: 1200 x 675 px or 1200 x 1200 (Bluesky)
Header: 1500 x 500 px
Videos: 1280 x 720 px
TikTok
Video: 1080 x 1920 px (vertical only)
YouTube Shorts
Video: 1080 x 1920 px (vertical)
Thumbnail (optional): 1280 x 720 px
⏰ Best Times to Post (Based on 2025 Trends & Data)
Instagram: Monday to Thursday, 9–11 a.m. or 6–8 p.m.
Facebook: Tuesday to Friday, 1–3 p.m.
LinkedIn: Tuesday to Thursday, 8–10 a.m.
X (Twitter): Wednesday & Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
TikTok: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 6–9 p.m.
YouTube Shorts: Thursday to Sunday, 12–4 p.m.
Bluesky: Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m.
Pro Tip: Use scheduling tools like HeyOrca’s — or alternatives like Buffer and Later — "Best Time to Post" feature — or alternatives like Buffer and Later — to get personalized insights based on your actual performance data.
🔥 Top-Performing Content Types by Platform (with Examples)
Reels with trending audio: These are prioritized in Instagram’s algorithm, especially if the audio is associated with high engagement across Reels. Look for audio clips with an upward arrow in the music selector — a sign it’s trending. Examples include popular meme audio, viral soundbites, or remixed tracks from current hits. Think "God forbid I’m scrolling for trends" voiceovers or the "Probably needed a hug" trend with a behind-the-scenes look at your team. Trending audio that aligns with current memes or sounds prioritized by Instagram will always have more reach.
Carousel posts: Use carousels to share step-by-step guides or inspirational quotes. Aim for 5–7 slides with minimal text per slide for best readability on mobile—they encourage swiping, which boosts engagement. Aim for 5–7 slides max for mobile clarity.
BTS content: Show the human side of your organization. For example, a quick clip of team members prepping for an event or celebrating a win.
Local stories: Share wins in your community or highlight individuals making a difference.
Short native videos: Try 60–90 second clips like "What we accomplished this month" or a fast Q&A with your team.
UGC (user-generated content): Feature a supporter photo or testimonial. It feels authentic and builds trust.
Carousel documents: Upload a PDF as a swipeable post. For example, "5 Ways to Build an Inclusive Brand" in simple, visual slides. Keep it to 6–10 slides for best performance, and aim for minimal text with strong, branded visuals to ensure readability on mobile. Upload a PDF as a swipeable post. For example, "5 Ways to Build an Inclusive Brand" in simple, visual slides. Keep it to 6–10 slides for best performance.
Personal reflections: Share a story about a mistake that turned into a lesson — professional vulnerability often drives the highest engagement.
Live events: Run a Zoom-integrated event directly on LinkedIn for live interaction with your professional audience.
X (Twitter)
Quote tweets and reactions: Respond to breaking news with quick commentary or humor.
Video replies: With the new video response feature, reply to hot takes with a personal video — fast responses win attention.
Memes: Timely, witty, and relatable — just don’t force it. Think: "Me checking my bank account after buying campaign swag."
TikTok
Relatable storytelling: Use "They don't know it yet, but..." to tell an origin story. Repurpose old clips and add current context.
Challenges with trending audio: Join trends like "What is it you’re addicted to?" to showcase a service or value in a humorous way.
Educational content: Break down big ideas into quick, digestible tips with subtitles — make sure it’s easy to follow without sound.
YouTube Shorts
Quick wins: A 30-second tip like "How to boost your IG engagement in 3 steps."
Reaction videos: Film your reaction to a news update or TikTok trend in your field.
Snippets from longer videos: Use Shorts to preview interviews, explainers, or tutorials — and link viewers to the full version.
Bluesky
Image-first content: Posts with clean, well-designed images (especially square or landscape) get better engagement.
Hot takes & opinion pieces: Bluesky’s early adopters love smart, timely commentary. Think thoughtful insights — not viral fluff.
Community vibes: Authenticity reigns. Personal updates, collaborative threads, and light meme culture thrive here.Use Shorts to preview interviews, explainers, or tutorials — and link viewers to the full version.
Final Thought: Consistency Beats Complexity
You don’t need to post everywhere, every day. But you do need a plan that keeps you up to date, on brand, and ready to adapt.
Need help creating a strategy that works with today’s trends — not yesterday’s rules?
Contact CoSolving and we’ll work with you to amplify your impact and help you achieve your goals with smart solutions.