TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most popular social media platforms globally. The short-form video app allows users to create and share 15 to 60 second videos, often set to music or with special effects. With over 1 billion monthly active users, determining the optimal times to post has become an important strategy for content creators and brands looking to maximize their reach and engagement on TikTok.
Timing matters on TikTok because of how the platform’s algorithm works. TikTok’s “For You” feed shows each user a personalized set of videos based on their interests and activity. When a user is most active on the app, they have a higher chance of engaging with newly posted videos that then get pushed out more by the algorithm. Identifying peak activity times allows creators to get their videos in front of more users right when they open the app.
The goal of this guide is to break down the best times of day to post videos on TikTok. By understanding when user engagement spikes on the platform, creators can develop an optimal posting schedule that leverages these windows for higher views, likes, comments, and shares.
Morning (6-9 AM)
The early morning between 6-9 AM is a great time to post on TikTok to catch the early risers. Many people browse TikTok first thing in the morning while drinking their coffee or eating breakfast. According to research by SocialPilot, Tuesdays at 7 AM and 8 AM tend to perform well for TikTok content. This allows you to reach people as they are starting their day.
It’s also an optimal time to catch people commuting to work or school on public transportation. People often pass time on TikTok while riding the subway, bus, or train. TikTok usage peaks around 8-9 AM in the morning commute hours.
Within the 6-9 AM window, it’s best to test different times to see what performs best for your audience. You may find 7:30 AM does better than 8:15 AM, for example. Track your metrics and adjust your posting times accordingly.
Late Morning (10 AM-12 PM)
The late morning hours of 10 AM to 12 PM are still a prime window for engagement on TikTok before activity starts to taper off in the early afternoon. Many users are taking a break from school or work during these hours and will have time to scroll through their For You page and interact with new content.
According to research, engagement rates during the 10 AM to 12 PM window are nearly 20% higher than other morning and afternoon times. There is continued momentum from the early morning rush as people settle into their day. Brands aiming to reach people during their mid-morning social media break should target 10-11 AM in particular for the best results.
Posting during the late morning window allows your content to be seen by East Coast audiences before lunchtime while also catching West Coast users who are just starting their day. The combination of engaged morning viewers and new audiences coming online makes late morning an optimal TikTok timing.
Afternoon (1-5 PM)
The afternoon hours from 1-5 PM see a decent amount of TikTok traffic as people are taking lunch breaks and having some downtime in the middle of the day. While not the peak hours for views and engagement, the afternoon still brings steady traffic according to experts. As Influencer Marketing Hub notes, some of the best times to post during the afternoon include 3 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Afternoon posting times may vary slightly by timezone. For example, East Coast users may see more traffic at 1 PM while West Coast users see a spike around 4 PM when people start to wrap up their workday. Overall the afternoon brings a relatively consistent influx of viewers across timezones.
Evening Rush Hour (5-7 PM)
The evening rush hour from 5-7 PM can be a great time to post on TikTok. During this time, many people are commuting home from work or school and have some downtime while waiting for transportation or riding transit. TikTok provides an entertaining escape during this commute.
Weekday evening rush hour tends to see high engagement, as people are looking to decompress after a long workday. Posts that are funny, lighthearted or relaxing tend to perform well during this time. According to research by SocialPilot, the 6:30-9:30 PM window is optimal for weeknight engagement.
Weekend evening engagement may differ, as people have more flexibility in their schedules. However, weekend nights still tend to be a popular TikTok viewing time. Posting trending challenges, dance videos or comedic content can help grab viewers’ attention during this weekend window.
Overall, tapping into commute downtime by posting entertaining, distracting content is an effective tactic during the evening rush hour on both weekdays and weekends.
Prime Time (7-9 PM)
According to research from Influencer Marketing Hub, the prime time hours of 7-9 PM tend to be the optimal time to post on TikTok in terms of reaching the most users and engagement. This time slot comes after dinner hours when many users are relaxing and scrolling through TikTok for entertainment. As Influencer Marketing Hub notes, “TikTok usage and engagement peak in the evenings when people are winding down from their day.”
Specifically, the data shows that the highest amount of views and engagement happen around 8 PM. This makes sense as it falls right within that prime evening time when most users are active on the app. Posts made around 8 PM tend to reach the widest potential audience.
To maximize the impact during this window, it’s important to post engaging, entertaining content that aligns with how users are consuming TikTok in the evenings. Funny videos, eye-catching effects, compelling stories, and viral trends tend to resonate best around 8 PM when the most eyes are on the app.
As SocialPilot suggests, “To leverage these peak hours optimally, use engaging content formats like duets, green screen videos, POVs, and storytime videos.” This prime time slot offers the biggest opportunity to create viral content.[1]
Late Night (9 PM – 12 AM)
The late night hours on TikTok tend to attract lots of young viewers who are up scrolling before bed. According to research by Later, engagement rates start climbing after 8pm and peak around 10pm. This makes sense since younger demographics dominate TikTok’s user base. It’s important to consider the timezones of your target audience if posting late at night. While 10pm EST might be optimal for US audiences, viewers in Europe could be asleep then. Test engagement at different times like 10pm, 11pm, and midnight to see when your audience is most active.
According to SocialPilot, the hours from 9:30pm – 12am can garner high engagement, but it varies day by day. Fridays and Saturdays tend to see more late night usage. You’ll want to experiment across late night hours to find the right timing for your audience and niche.
Optimal Days
Research shows that weekdays, especially Tuesdays, tend to be the best days to post on TikTok in terms of reach and engagement. According to Buffer, Tuesday is the best day for reach, followed by Thursday, Monday and Friday. Weekends see lower engagement overall.
This trend holds true for both personal and business accounts. Businesses may find slightly better results posting during the workweek when their target audience is most active on the app. One exception is for content tied to weekend events or activities, which tends to perform well on Fridays through Sundays.
In terms of content type, quick entertaining videos and trends tend to work best on weekdays, while more in-depth educational content can thrive on weekends when users have more free time. Catchy dance trends or viral recipe videos are ideal for weekday sharing, while weekend DIY tutorials and thought-provoking discussions see higher engagement.
Overall, the data clearly shows weekdays are optimal for TikTok, especially Tuesdays. But weekends should not be overlooked either depending on your audience, content style and goals.
Key Takeaways
In summary, the optimal times to post on TikTok are early morning between 6-9 AM, late morning from 10 AM-12 PM, evening rush hour between 5-7 PM, and prime time from 7-9 PM, according to research (https://blog.hootsuite.com/schedule-posts-for-tiktok/). Late night between 9 PM – 12 AM can also be a good time to post for certain audiences. The best days tend to be Thursdays and Fridays when users are most active on the platform.
It’s important to test out different posting times and analyze the engagement and analytics to determine what works best for your specific audience and content goals. The optimal posting schedule may also depend on your timezone and target demographic.
You can use these general guidelines for when your key audiences are most active on TikTok to develop a strategic, consistent posting schedule. Routinely posting high-quality content during peak times can help increase visibility and engagement.
Conclusion
To summarize, timing is crucial when it comes to posting on TikTok. The best times tend to be in the evenings and late at night when more users are scrolling on the app. Focus on posting between 5-9 PM or later at night from 9 PM – midnight when engagement is highest. Weekends also tend to perform better than weekdays.
Optimizing when you post is important because it can dramatically increase your views, likes, comments, and shares. Posting at the right times leads to more algorithmic promotion and visibility in feeds. Take the time to test out different timing strategies and pay attention to when your target audience is most active. Consistency is also key – stick to regular posting schedules during peak times.
In closing, being strategic with your TikTok timing gives your content the best chance to resonate and perform well. Pay attention to your analytics to determine optimal timing, consider your audience’s habits, and remain persistent. With the right posting schedule, you can build a thriving TikTok channel.
