With over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022 (TikTok Statistics 2023), TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. This article will provide an in-depth look at the optimal times to post on TikTok in order to maximize engagement and growth. Understanding when your target audience is most active on TikTok is key to developing an effective posting strategy. We’ll examine peak usage times based on demographics, categories, trends, and more. Whether you’re looking to go viral or simply want your content to reach the right people, this guide will help you determine the best TikTok posting times for your needs.
TikTok’s Core Demographic
TikTok’s core demographic is made up predominantly of Gen Z users, specifically teenagers and young adults. According to Exploding Topics, around 32.5% of TikTok users worldwide are between the ages of 10 and 19. Additionally, over 57% of TikTok users are female, and 90% of users in Saudi Arabia, one of TikTok’s largest markets, are under 30 years old.
TikTok also has strong traction among Millennial users. As reported by Backlinko, 29.5% of TikTok users are between the ages of 20 and 29. While the core Gen Z demographic is most active on the platform, Millennials still make up a significant percentage of overall users.
In terms of geographic distribution, TikTok has its strongest penetration rates among teenagers and young adults in the United States and Europe. However, the platform is rapidly growing in India, Brazil, and the Middle East. TikTok’s expansion across these markets points to its expanding appeal among global youth audiences.
Peak Times for Engagement
Research shows that the peak times for engagement on TikTok are in the evenings on weekdays and afternoons on weekends. According to studies by Later (https://later.com/blog/best-time-to-post-on-tiktok/), the most likes, comments, and shares happen between 5 PM and 10 PM during the week. The hours from 7 PM to 8 PM see some of the highest levels of user activity and response. Comments also spike around lunchtime on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, engagement is highest from 2 PM to 5 PM as users relax and scroll through TikTok in the afternoons.
Comparing weekday and weekend patterns, it’s clear that evenings are the winning slot during the week while afternoons take the lead on weekends. The key times where you are most likely to boost visibility and engagement are Tuesday to Friday evenings and Saturday to Sunday afternoons and early evenings. These align with leisure hours when users are done with school or work and have free time to actively engage with content.
Consider Audience Time Zones
Peak times can vary across geographic regions due to time zone differences. According to research by Influencer Marketing Hub, the best times to post on TikTok in the USA are Mondays at 12pm and 4pm ET, Tuesdays at 4am, 8am, 10am and 3pm ET, and Thursdays at 5am, 3pm and 6pm ET [1]. However, these times will differ for audiences in other parts of the world.
It’s important to analyze your TikTok audience demographics to determine which geographic regions have the most users. You can then target content during peak times in those time zones. For example, if you have a large European audience, aim to post more content in the late afternoon and early evening Central European Time.
Pay attention to when your posts generate the most likes, comments, shares and traffic, and adjust your posting times accordingly. Over time, you’ll discover the optimal times to reach your particular global audience.
Optimal Times for Top Categories
When posting different types of content on TikTok, it’s important to consider the times that work best for each category. According to research from SocialPilot, some of the optimal times to post for top content categories are:
Dance – The best time to post dance videos is 8-9 AM on weekdays. This allows dancers to showcase new routines first thing in the morning when engagement is high.
Comedy – Funny TikTok videos tend to perform best from 3-5 PM on weekdays when users are looking for a laugh during the mid-afternoon lull. Posting around 8-9 PM also works well.
Lifehacks – Useful lifehack and DIY content generates the most views from 9-11 AM on weekends. Weekend mornings are popular browsing times.
Gaming – Gameplay clips and esports updates will reach the most gaming fans around 5-7 PM weekdays and weekends when users relax after work/school.
Food – Appetizing food recipes and kitchen tips get the highest engagement from 12-1 PM on weekdays when viewers are thinking about lunch.
Leveraging Trends and Challenges
TikTok trends can greatly impact the optimal times to post. Using popular hashtags, viral dances, and challenges at the right moment can help your content get more visibility. According to TikTok, trending hashtags like #DayTime are most popular in the mornings and afternoons in the US. Paying attention to what’s trending each day and timing your posts accordingly can boost engagement.
Challenges in particular often have a limited lifespan on TikTok, so joining a challenge while it’s peaking can expose your content to more eyes. Checking sites like Later that track the top weekly TikTok trends can help you capitalize on hot challenges. Consider local trends too – posting a localized challenge hashtag like #DanceChallengeCanada at peak times in Canada can help you reach more Canadian users.
In summary, keep up with the latest viral trends and challenges, and aim to ride the wave by posting relevant content using those hashtags during peak hours for maximum impact.
Choosing the Right Day
Analyzing differences in performance across days of the week and days of the month can help determine the best times to post. Studies show Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to see more engagement on TikTok compared to weekends. Mondays often perform well too as users are returning to the app after a break. Views and interactions dip on Sundays.
Views and shares may increase around paydays when users have more disposable income. Holidays and events can also impact performance, with more users on TikTok during downtime. Less people engage over summer vacation periods. Analyze your own data in TikTok Analytics to see when your audience is most active.
Consider optimal times and days for your target demographic. For example, posting in the morning could work for targeting parents and adults but late evening may be better for teens.
Scheduling and Posting Regularly
Creating and sticking to a consistent posting schedule is crucial for getting the most out of TikTok. Most experts recommend posting at least 1 video per day, with some suggesting up to 5 videos per day depending on your niche and resources. The key is finding a cadence you can maintain without burning out.
When establishing your posting frequency, consider your available time and resources for creating content. It’s better to post less frequently than overcommit and end up posting sporadically. Space your posts throughout the day rather than batch posting. Consistency helps the TikTok algorithm recommend your videos.
Schedule your posts in advance using a social media management platform like Hootsuite or Buffer. This allows you to space out your content more strategically across days and times. Try drafting content and building up a backlog for when you have less time to create new videos.
Analyze your performance data over time to determine optimal posting times and frequencies for your audience. You may need to adjust your schedule as your following grows. The key is sticking to the schedule you set, which trains the algorithm to promote your consistent content.
Analyzing Performance Data
TikTok provides built-in analytics that can be incredibly helpful for identifying when your audience is most responsive. As this Hootsuite article explains, you should check your TikTok analytics regularly to detect patterns and optimize your posting strategy.
Specifically, pay attention to metrics like views, comments, shares, follows, and engagement rate at different times. This can show you when your posts tend to perform best. For example, you may notice higher engagement in the evenings or on weekends in your own time zone. You can then concentrate more of your posting efforts around those peak times.
Tools like PlannThat also allow you to view TikTok analytics on desktop to closely analyze performance. Focus on when your audience is most active and receptive to your content, and aim to engage them during those windows.
Conclusion
When determining the best time to post on TikTok, there are a few key factors to consider. The core TikTok demographic tends to be most active in the evenings and late at night. However, peak engagement times can vary depending on your target audience’s time zones. Certain content categories also tend to perform better at different times of day.
While trends and challenges can help increase engagement, it’s also important to post consistently rather than just when a topic is popular. Analyzing performance data over time will give you the best sense of when your followers are most active. There is no one-size-fits-all best time to post on TikTok. The key is to test different posting times and continue optimizing based on when your target audience is most responsive. With a data-driven approach, you can determine the optimal times to reach your followers and maximize engagement.
