TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app’s algorithm is responsible for determining which videos go viral. Timing is crucial on TikTok because the algorithm favors new content and engagement during the first few hours after posting. Videos that quickly gain likes, comments, and shares are more likely to appear on For You pages and be recommended to other users. Posting at optimal times allows creators to maximize their views and grow their audience on TikTok.
TikTok’s Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to determine which videos will be shown to each user in their “For You” page feed. It aims to provide a personalized, engaging experience by analyzing various factors like interests, interactions, device and account settings, and more. Some key things that impact the TikTok algorithm include:
Engagement – Videos that led viewers to like, share, comment or otherwise engage are promoted by the algorithm. Highly engaging content signals users found it interesting or entertaining.
Video completion rate – Videos that are watched all the way through, rather than skipped midway, tell the algorithm the content resonated with viewers.
Account follows and interactions – The algorithm notes which accounts a user engages with and follows their content more closely.
Device settings – The algorithm considers details like language, country, and device type to serve locale- and device-appropriate content.
Freshness – More recent videos are often shown before older content, all else being equal. TikTok aims to show the newest trends.
In summary, TikTok’s algorithm uses complex processes to determine which content best fits users’ demonstrated interests based on their interactions and account details. Quality engagement is key to reaching new audiences.
Source: How To Crack The TikTok Algorithm
Peak Times
Research shows that the peak times when TikTok sees the most traffic and engagement are early mornings and evenings during the week. Based on multiple studies, this source finds the optimal times to post are:
- 7-9 AM
- 5-7 PM
- Thursdays at 7 PM
- Fridays at 10 AM
Posting during these high-traffic windows gives your videos the best chance to gain traction with the algorithm and reach a larger audience. The key is timing your posts when more users are actively scrolling through their feeds. Mornings and evenings tend to see upticks in engagement as people check TikTok over breakfast or after work.
Timezones
Timezones play an important role in determining the best times to post on TikTok. This is because the TikTok algorithm tends to push content out to users during peak times in their respective timezones. What may be a peak time to post in PST may not work as well for users in EST or other timezones.
For example, late afternoon in PST (between 3-6pm) is often a good time to post as users are winding down from work or school. However, for users in EST, this timeframe is less ideal as it’s later in the evening. Similarly, posting late at night PST may reach EST audiences who are just getting settled down after dinner.
To maximize reach across timezones, it’s generally best to post during early to mid-afternoon local time. This range tends to be a high-traffic period for most timezones. You can also experiment with posting 2-3 times per day, varying the times to cover different timezones.
Paying attention to real-time analytics can provide insight into when your audience is most active. You may find certain timeslots consistently drive more engagement, allowing you to fine tune your posting strategy.
Weekdays vs Weekends
Research shows there are some key differences in engagement between weekdays and weekends on TikTok. According to Buffer, weekdays see more consistent engagement throughout the day, with lunchtime around noon being a peak time. Weekends have more sporadic engagement, with fewer constant peaks.
An analysis by Hootsuite found engagement is generally highest in the mornings on weekends, between 7-10am. However, late afternoons around 4-8pm also see spikes in engagement. Overall weekends may see slightly lower engagement than weekdays.
Some influencers recommend treating weekends as a “time to relax,” and focusing more effort on weekdays. However, weekends shouldn’t be ignored completely – posting consistently on both weekdays and weekends can help creators build a loyal following.
Day vs Night
When comparing daytime versus nighttime posting on TikTok, the data shows some clear differences. According to Hootsuite, TikTok engagement rates peak in the evenings, from 6 PM to 9 PM. During these evening hours, average engagement can be around 150% higher compared to midday. This trend holds true for both weekends and weekdays.
One reason evening posts see higher engagement is because more people are available to scroll through TikTok after work and school hours. Late at night can also be popular, as some research found engagement rising again after 11 PM when teens and young adults are often awake on their devices. However, late night posting comes with the tradeoff of missing key demographics who go to sleep earlier.
In contrast, daytime posting between 10 AM to 4 PM sees significantly lower engagement, often dipping to just 50-60% of peak evening rates. Midday is a common low point as people are occupied with school or work. Yet even on weekends, afternoons lag behind evenings for TikTok usage and engagement. Overall, the data clearly favors evenings for optimal TikTok posting times.
Video Length
There has been some debate around the ideal video length for the TikTok algorithm. In 2021, TikTok’s internal data suggested the best length was 11-17 seconds (Buffer). However, by the end of that year, the recommendation shifted to 21-34 seconds being the optimal length (Feedhive). Longer videos between 30-60 seconds can still perform well, but the current sweet spot seems to be around 30 seconds.
How does video length impact the best times to post? Shorter videos may be ideal for quick daytime scrolling, while longer videos that require more attention could perform better in the evening when people have more free time. Hashtags and strong hooks are especially important in short videos to maximize views. Overall, aim for 21-34 seconds as it aligns with current algorithm preferences – but always tailor content for your audience rather than trends.
Hashtags
Hashtags are an essential part of optimizing TikTok content for the algorithm. Using the right hashtags at the right time can significantly boost a video’s performance. According to research, some of the most popular and trending hashtags change throughout the day and week.
For example, morning and midday tend to feature more hashtags related to motivation, inspiration, and starting the day. During the afternoon and evening, trending hashtags shift towards entertainment, cooking, and unwinding. Hashtags also follow trends around current events, holidays, and pop culture.
Checking TikTok’s discovery page for trending hashtags broken down by time of day can provide guidance on which hashtags may resonate best with viewers depending on when content gets posted. Alternating hashtags based on posting time allows creators to better target audiences and ride key trends. Overall, thoughtful use of hashtags is important for engagement no matter when you post.
Influencers
Looking at data from top influencers’ posting patterns can provide useful insights into the best times to post. According to research by Hopper HQ, top TikTok influencers tend to post most frequently from 11 AM – 2 PM in their local timezone The Best Time to Post on TikTok in 2024. This aligns with typical lunch break times when users are more likely to be scrolling on their phones. Late afternoon between 3-7 PM is another popular timeslot when people are winding down from work. While every influencer’s audience is different, analyzing when the top creators are posting can help identify patterns in peak engagement times.
Summary
Based on the data and analysis in this article, here are the top recommended times to post on TikTok for maximum views and engagement:
- Early evenings (5-7 PM) in the weekday are ideal for North American timezones.
- Saturday and Sunday mornings (8-11 AM) tend to perform well worldwide.
- Late nights (9 PM – midnight) are better for adult audiences in East Asia timezones.
- Shorter videos (under 30 seconds) generally reach more users.
- Include relevant hashtags and tag influencers to increase discovery.
Keep in mind your target demographic and when they are most likely to be scrolling on TikTok. Test different posting times to see what resonates best with your audience. Consistency remains key – develop a regular posting schedule at your ideal times for continued growth.
