TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years. As of January 2023, the platform boasts over 1 billion monthly active users globally, making it one of the fastest growing social media apps in history (Source 1). With its short video format and powerful algorithms, TikTok offers creators major opportunities to go viral and build engaged audiences.
But with so many videos and trends happening by the minute, determining the best posting strategies can seem complex. One key question creators and marketers ask is: does timing matter when posting videos on TikTok?
Peak Times
When it comes to the best times to post on TikTok, research shows that evening and late night tend to see the most user activity and engagement. According to one analysis, the peak hours for posting are between 5 PM and 11 PM.1 During these times, more users are likely to be on the app browsing and engaging with content. Views and engagement start to drop off around midnight. Another study found 8-9 PM to be a high-traffic period.1
The late night hours, from around 10 PM onwards, also see an increase in activity as people wind down their day. Posting during these evening and late night windows gives your content the chance to reach the most eyeballs when app usage spikes.
Weekday vs Weekend
When choosing the best times to post on TikTok, one key consideration is weekday versus weekend. Research shows that weekends, especially Sundays, see higher engagement and more views compared to weekdays.
According to a study by Hopper HQ, Sundays have the highest engagement rate at 18.7%, with Saturdays coming in second at 16.7%. Engagement rates during the week range from 11.4% on Mondays to 15.1% on Fridays.
This trend makes sense given that more people are likely to be relaxing at home and scrolling through TikTok on weekends. During the workweek, many viewers are occupied with school or jobs.
One tip offered by Social Pilot is to post TikToks early in the morning around 8 AM on weekends to capture viewers who are just waking up. Late afternoon around 3 PM is another prime weekend time when people are winding down.
While weekends tend to perform better, you can still gain traction by posting during busy parts of the workweek, like before and after typical 9-5 work hours.
Overall, research clearly shows weekends are best for TikTok, with Sundays coming out on top for maximum views and engagement. But don’t avoid weekdays entirely – just be strategic with timing.
Sources:
https://www.hopperhq.com/blog/best-time-to-post-on-tiktok/
https://www.socialpilot.co/blog/best-time-to-post-on-tiktok
Timezones
When posting on TikTok, it’s important to consider your target audience and what timezones they are located in. TikTok uses the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) timezone as its default. However, content visibility can vary drastically based on your follower’s timezones.
For example, if most of your followers are located in the United States, posting during peak times in US timezones like 12-2pm and 5-9pm Eastern Time will likely yield the highest engagement. If your audience is primarily in Asia, you’ll want to target peak times like 8-10am in Japan. Analyzing your TikTok analytics can provide insight into when your followers are most active.
While there is no universally optimal posting time for all users, being mindful of timezones and tailoring your posting schedule to your audience can help maximize views and engagement. Testing different posting times and leveraging TikTok’s analytics is key to determining the best times for your content.
Source: https://www.tiktok.com/channel/what-utc-time-zone-am-i-in?lang=en
Trending Sounds
Leveraging trending sounds and hashtags can help increase views and engagement on TikTok. Sounds and songs often go viral on the platform, sparking popular trends and challenges that users recreate in their own videos. Using trending sounds shows your video is timely and relevant. According to TikTok’s 2022 trends channel, popular sounds this year included Megan Thee Stallion’s “Something Real” and Doja Cat’s “Vegas.” TikTok Trends 2022.
You can browse trending sounds and hashtags in the Discover section of the TikTok app. Consider using not just the top trending sounds but also sounds starting to gain traction. Put your own spin on trending content while still tapping into what is popular. Use relevant hashtags in your captions as well. Participating in trending content gives your videos a better chance of being discovered and recommended by TikTok’s algorithm.
Video Length
When it comes to video length on TikTok, shorter is usually better. According to research in 2023, the ideal TikTok video length is between 15 and 60 seconds (https://flixier.com/blog/ideal-tiktok-video-length-and-size-in-2022). This short-form format allows for quick and easy consumption that fits with TikTok’s bite-sized content. Videos that are too long can cause viewers to lose interest and scroll past.
TikTok’s own internal data from mid-2021 recommended optimal video lengths of 11 to 17 seconds (https://buffer.com/resources/best-tiktok-video-length/). However, by the end of 2021 that guidance shifted to suggest slightly longer videos up to 60 seconds perform well. The key is keeping videos concise, entertaining, and compelling even in a short timeframe. This requires creativity and skill in editing videos down to their most engaging moments.
While you can upload videos up to 3 minutes in length, it’s best to stick to under a minute. Use 15-60 seconds as your target video length for the highest chance of grabbing attention on TikTok without losing your audience along the way.
Caption Tips
Your caption can make or break your TikTok video’s performance. Catchy, concise captions have been shown to significantly boost views and engagement. According to research by Pallyy, videos with better captions receive up to 66% more views. Here are some tips for writing effective TikTok captions:
Ask a question related to the video to spark discussion in the comments. Questions encourage viewers to respond and engage more. For example: “Which trick should we try next?”
Include a call-to-action for viewers to like, comment, share, or follow you. Direct engagement prompts lead to higher interaction. You could say “Double tap if you want a part 2!”
Use emojis and hashtags strategically. Emojis help express the video’s tone and hashtags expand your reach to new audiences. But don’t overdo it. According to Rikki Poynter, 2-4 hashtags is ideal.
Keep captions concise. Videos with captions under 150 characters perform best. Get straight to the point with short, catchy phrases that pique interest.
Leverage trending audios and hashtags. Tie your video into viral sounds and tag topics for a signal boost. But make sure your content also stands alone.
Be authentic and add humor when appropriate. Let your personality shine through while speaking directly to your audience. Clever, funny captions can enhance virality.
Follow these tips to write captions optimized for maximum TikTok views, likes, and shares!
Posting Frequency
When it comes to posting frequency on TikTok, research shows that 1-3 times per day is ideal for growth. Posting consistently allows you to stay top of mind with viewers and the TikTok algorithm. According to TikTok themselves, “Posting daily can help make sure your profile stays relevant in peoples’ ‘For You’ feeds.”
However, it’s important not to overwhelm your audience. Spacing out your posts throughout the day gives viewers time to watch, engage, and share. Posting too frequently runs the risk of annoying followers. It’s best to find a balance that works for your niche and content style.
Analyzing your analytics can help determine the optimal posting frequency for your account. Pay attention to when your viewers are most active and when your posts get the most traction. Tailor your posting schedule around these insights.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-often-to-post-on-tiktok-2022
Analytics
Analyzing your TikTok analytics is key to understanding what types of content perform best and optimizing your strategy. The TikTok app provides basic analytics, but third party tools like Pentos offer more detailed insights. Review metrics like views, likes, comments, shares, audience demographics, and traffic sources regularly. Look at your top performing videos to identify factors like caption style, video length, sounds used, etc. You can then refine your approach to incorporate what works. Analyze when your followers are most active to determine ideal posting times. Use analytics to guide decisions from content creation to promotion, ensuring each video is optimized for your audience.
Conclusion
When it comes to getting the most views on your TikTok videos, timing is everything. The best times to post tend to be during peak days and hours when the most users are actively scrolling on the app. Weekdays in the late afternoon and evenings and weekends tend to see higher engagement. You’ll also want to post when your target audience is most active based on time zones. Tailoring video length and captions to trends can also help. While there’s no one size fits all formula, analyzing your own analytics and testing different posting times is key to determining the sweet spot for your particular audience and content.
By being strategic with when you post your videos and continuing to refine based on performance data, you can maximize your potential reach and views. With persistence and savvy timing, it’s possible to go viral and build a loyal TikTok following.
