The Popularity of TikTok Continues to Grow
TikTok has exploded in popularity over the past few years. According to The Social Shepherd, TikTok reached 1 billion monthly active users in 2021. This makes it one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. With so many people using TikTok every day, it’s no wonder users wonder if they should close the app after posting content.
Reasons People Close the App
Some TikTok users close the app immediately after posting a new video to avoid getting distracted by notifications and losing focus on optimizing their latest content. Staying in the app can lead users to get caught up watching other videos, commenting, and interacting instead of proactively working to improve their own video’s performance.
According to posts on Reddit, some users feel that closing the app right after uploading helps their content get picked up by the algorithm and shown to more people. The rationale is that by avoiding any immediate engagement, the algorithm will work harder to surface the new content [1].
However, TikTok’s algorithm looks at many factors, and there is no evidence that closing the app immediately after posting has a direct impact on a video’s performance. But for some, avoiding notifications can help them stay focused on optimizing their latest video.
Analytics Benefits
Keeping the TikTok app open after posting a new video allows you to view real-time analytics and engagement on that video. As this article explains, TikTok’s analytics tools let you track performance and see which videos are getting the most likes, comments, shares and traffic. Staying in the app gives you instant data on how well your newest video is resonating with your audience.
As noted in this analysis, TikTok collects user data to identify audiences that may be interested in certain products and services. Keeping the app open means you can see right away which demographics are engaging with your video, and tailor your content accordingly. Real-time analytics provide valuable insights that can help optimize your TikTok presence.
Potential Downsides
While TikTok can be highly engaging and entertaining, spending too much time on the app may have some downsides. TikTok’s endless scroll feature makes it easy to lose track of time. Users can find themselves mindlessly watching video after video, wasting valuable time that could have been spent on more productive tasks (Scoutups). The constant novelty and stimulation from an endless stream of new videos can also be distracting and make it difficult to focus.
Some experts have raised concerns that excessive TikTok use may contribute to shortened attention spans, especially in younger users. The constant flipping between ultra-short videos can accustom the brain to expect frequent dopamine hits and make it harder to concentrate on less stimulating tasks (LinkedIn). This potential for distraction is something users should be mindful of when determining how much time to spend on the app.
When to Check Analytics
While having access to performance analytics can be insightful, it’s important not to get too caught up in constantly monitoring the numbers. Continuously checking your TikTok analytics can lead to unhealthy social media habits and constant comparison.
Instead, set specific times each week to review your key metrics. For example, take 15 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to analyze performance data. Schedule analytics review sessions on your calendar to help maintain balance.
Checking analytics at regular intervals allows you to spot trends and patterns without obsessing over minor fluctuations. You’ll get a better sense of how your content truly performs over time, versus reacting to each view count.
It also helps to avoid checking analytics right before posting a new video. Focus on creating great content first, then review the metrics a few days later with a level head. Overmonitoring analytics can negatively impact your mental health and creativity.
As noted in TikTok’s Creator Portal, “While analytics are helpful in understanding the performance of your videos, you don’t need to create future videos based primarily on previous videos’ analytics” (source).
Optimizing Watch Time
One of the best ways to optimize watch time on TikTok is to grab the viewer’s attention quickly and keep them engaged throughout the video. You can increase full video views by creating videos that loop, using plenty of text to maintain interest, telling a compelling story, and teasing surprises or reveals at the end of the video. It’s also helpful to keep the video dynamic by switching up camera angles, music, visuals, or content every few seconds to keep viewers’ eyes on the screen.
Asking viewers questions, running polls, or prompting them to comment or engage is another great tactic for driving full video views on TikTok. The more you can get your audience actively participating with your video, the more likely they are to watch until the end. Overall, optimize for watch time by capturing attention fast, maintaining engagement throughout, and giving viewers an incentive to watch until the last second.
Managing Notifications
One way to avoid getting distracted after posting a TikTok video is to manage your notifications settings. TikTok allows you to turn off certain notifications so your phone won’t constantly buzz with each new like, comment or follower.
In the TikTok app, go to your profile and tap the menu icon in the top right corner. Then go to Settings > Notifications. Here you can toggle off notifications for things like Comments, Mentions, Likes, and more. You can even turn off all notifications if you want to avoid distractions entirely (TikTok Help Center).
Another option is to use your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode while using the TikTok app. This will silence all notifications so you can focus without interruption. Just don’t forget to turn Do Not Disturb off again when you’re done!
Avoiding Comparison
One common urge many people face after posting new content is comparing their own views and likes to those of other creators. It’s easy to get caught up seeing someone else’s post performing better and taking it as a reflection on your own worth or talent. But social media metrics offer limited insight, and comparing yourself too closely can quickly become unhealthy.
As one psychologist notes, “Comparison really is the thief of joy. Comparing your chapter one to someone else’s chapter 20 will only leave you feeling disheartened.” (Source)
Rather than obsessing over views and likes, focus on creating the best content you can and connecting with your audience. View growth takes time and consistency. Each post is just one step in your journey.
If you catch yourself comparing too much, it may help to take a social media break or curate who you follow. Learning to find joy in your own work is an important skill for any creator to develop.
Balancing Mental Health
While social media can provide connection and entertainment, spending too much time on apps like TikTok can negatively impact mental health. Research shows that excessive social media usage is linked to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, and FOMO (fear of missing out) (source).
To maintain a healthy relationship with the app, it’s important to take regular breaks from TikTok and other platforms. This allows you to refocus your attention on the present moment, engage in real-world activities, and connect with people face-to-face. Even short breaks of just 5-10 minutes can provide mental clarity and reduce stress.
Setting boundaries around usage, such as limiting sessions to 30 minutes at a time, can prevent getting sucked into the endless scroll. Turning off notifications helps minimize constant distractions. Most importantly, listen to yourself and take a break from the app when you start to feel overwhelmed or experience FOMO.
Conclusion
In summary, whether you should close the TikTok app after posting a video comes down to your personal preferences and goals. Checking the analytics right away can provide helpful insights into how your video is performing, but it can also lead to over-focusing on vanity metrics. Closing the app avoids the temptation of getting sucked into notifications and comparisons. But ultimately, do what feels right for your mental health and creativity.
If your aim is to grow your account and understand your audience, reviewing the analytics can be beneficial. Just be mindful of how it makes you feel. If you find it stressful or demotivating, closing the app to take a break could be wise. There are pros and cons to both choices. Try out different approaches and see what works best for your needs.
The most important thing is balancing your TikTok usage in a way that brings you joy and aligns with your goals, not what others are doing. Listen to yourself and tune out the pressure. Experiment to find your ideal rhythm without burning yourself out.
