Determining the best times to post content on TikTok over the weekend is critical for maximizing engagement and reach. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the most important platforms for brands and content creators to establish an audience. However, viewership patterns change between weekdays and weekends. Strategically timing your posts during high traffic periods can help get your content in front of more eyes.
In this guide, we will break down the best times to post TikTok videos on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Optimizing your posting schedule for weekends requires analyzing when your target audience is most active on the app. Keep reading for data-backed recommendations on when you should be posting throughout the weekend for optimal engagement and viewership.
Friday Evenings
Friday evenings can be a good time to post on TikTok, as people are winding down from the workweek and looking to relax and be entertained. According to Buffer’s analysis, engagement on TikTok spikes around 7-9pm on Fridays.
Funny videos, dance challenges, and entertaining content tend to do well on Friday nights, as people are letting loose after a long week. Avoid posting educational or informational content at this time.
The prime time to post on Fridays is between 7-8pm ET, as this is when east coast users are finishing dinner and settling in for the evening. West coast users are still awake as well. Posting multiple videos between 7-9pm on Fridays can help maximize your reach.
The key is keeping content light and enjoyable. Avoid controversial topics that could bring people down. Give your audience something uplifting to take them into the weekend.
Saturday Mornings
Saturday mornings can be a great time to post on TikTok for a few reasons:
Pros:
- Many users are just waking up and checking their phones, so engagement can be high first thing in the morning.
- Posting fun, upbeat weekend content like morning routines, coffee recipes, or weekend plans tends to do well on Saturday mornings according to Buffer.
- Engagement starts increasing around 9-10am local time as users start their day, with 11am on Saturday being highlighted as a top posting time by SocialPilot.
Cons:
- Avoid posting too early, before most users are awake and active.
- Don’t post boring content like tutorials or educational videos that may not capture attention on a Saturday morning.
Saturday mornings are a good opportunity to share fun, entertaining content to kick off the weekend, with the optimal time being around 10-11am based on data from top sources.
Saturday Afternoons/Evenings
Posting on TikTok on Saturday afternoons and evenings can be a great time to reach users who are relaxing on the weekend. According to a study by SocialPilot, some of the top times to post on Saturday are 7 PM and 8 PM ET (Source). The weekends tend to see increased engagement compared to weekdays, as users have more free time.
Fun, lighthearted content often thrives on Saturday evenings when users are in an upbeat weekend mood. Trending dance challenges, comedy/humor, and behind-the-scenes vlogs are popular content formats. Late Saturday afternoons and evenings are also an opportunity to promote live streams or upcoming events happening Sunday.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the optimal Saturday evening posting times are 7 PM and 9 PM ET (Source). These times allow creators to reach users during prime weekend leisure hours across timezones.
Sunday Mornings
Sunday morning can be a great time to post on TikTok if done strategically. The pros of posting Sunday morning include catching people who are relaxing or bored at home and looking for entertainment. Sunday mornings tend to have lower overall engagement on TikTok compared to other days, but less competition can make it easier for your content to stand out.
According to research, lighthearted, entertaining content tends to perform best on Sunday mornings. Think funny skits, relaxing music, recipes, or uplifting messages. This is when people want a mental break or motivation before the week begins.
The ideal times to post on TikTok Sunday morning are from 8-10am local time. Engagement starts increasing again from 11am-1pm as users check TikTok over Sunday brunch or lunch. Avoid the middle of the day when many users are occupied with family time or outdoor activities.
Sunday Afternoons
Sunday afternoons can be a great time to post on TikTok if you want to attract viewers who are relaxing at home. According to research, the best times to post on TikTok on Sunday afternoons are 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. ET (https://www.shopify.com/blog/best-time-to-post-on-tikok). The mid-afternoon and early evening are when many people are winding down from their weekend activities and looking for entertaining content to watch.
Types of content that tend to do well on Sunday afternoons include comedy sketches, relaxing ASMR, Sunday self-care routines, recipes, and anything else that fits a laidback weekend vibe. Sundays are all about relaxation so creative and fun videos that help people chill out tend to gain a lot of engagement.
One potential downside of Sunday afternoons is that not everyone is available to scroll through TikTok at these times if they are spending time with family or friends. However, for those who are spending a lazy Sunday at home, the afternoon hours can be prime time for racking up views and likes.
Sunday Evenings
Sunday evening can be a great time to post on TikTok, especially if you want to provide entertaining content for people winding down from their weekend. According to research from The Best Time to Post on TikTok in 2024, the optimal time to post on Sunday evenings is between 5pm and 7pm.
Pros of posting on Sunday evenings:
- People are relaxing after the weekend and looking for entertaining content
- Less competition from brand accounts that typically post during the workweek
- Ability to capitalize on Sunday night boredom and procrastination
Cons of posting on Sunday evenings:
- Lower engagement as people prepare for the workweek
- Not ideal for educational or informational content
- Less urgency around viewing/sharing as the weekend winds down
The types of content that tend to perform well on Sunday evenings include:
- Funny videos
- Relatable content about the Sunday scaries
- Behind the scenes and vlogs
- Challenges and trends
So in summary, Sunday evenings can be a prime time to post entertaining and viral-worthy content on TikTok if you want to catch people during their leisure hours after the weekend.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaways for when to post on TikTok on weekends based on the analysis above are:
– Friday evenings tend to be a high-traffic time as people relax after the workweek. Aim to post between 5-9 PM local time.
– Saturday mornings and afternoons are busy as people have leisure time. Prioritize posting between 10 AM – 2 PM.
– Sundays see lower engagement in the mornings as people recover from Saturday nights out. Postings usually pick up again Sunday afternoons and evenings.
– The most important times to post on weekends are Friday evenings and Saturday late mornings/early afternoons. These tend to see the highest traffic and engagement.
– While engagement can vary, focusing posting efforts during these key high-traffic times can help maximize viewership.
Additional Best Practices
Here are some other tips for optimizing weekend TikTok posting:
Take advantage of trending hashtags like #weekendvibes or #saturdayfunday to increase discovery. Consider using locally trending hashtags as well.
Watch for new viral dances, songs, or memes that are popping off over the weekends and make content around them. Ride these trends while they’re hot.
Film shorter videos since attention spans are lower on weekends. Quick 5-15 second funny or engaging clips tend to do best.
Leverage duets and stitching with trending sounds to tap into what’s already working.
Remember that late Sunday posts should avoid being too “party” focused as people get ready for the upcoming work week.
Test using different captions or hashtags on reposted content to see if it improves weekend performance.
Consider posting compilations or recap style content on Sundays highlighting your best clips from the week.
Conclusion
In summary, the best times to post on TikTok during the weekend depend on your goals and target audience.
Friday evenings are great for reaching teens and young adults starting their weekend fun. Saturday mornings and afternoons can connect with families and those running errands. Saturday nights are optimal for entertainment and nightlife content. Sunday mornings provide a relaxed vibe, while Sundays later in the day are good for prepping for the workweek.
Some key takeaways include posting when your audience is most active, testing different times, using trends and hashtags, and analyzing your metrics. Consistency and quality content focused on your niche also matter more than any one optimal time.
The weekend provides a chance to experiment with different posting times and see what resonates best with your followers. Pay attention to when your posts get the most traction. With smart posting strategies tailored to weekends, you can engage your TikTok audience all day, every day.
