Discovering the best time to post on TikTok could be the secret ingredient to make your posts succeed.
And guess what? It’s not as tricky as you might think.
With a pinch of insight, your TikTok account can compete with the best in your niche.
In this guide, you’ll learn more about timing on TikTok and actionable strategies that will make your posts resonate with millions around the globe.
Ready to get started?
Let’s go!
Does Timing Matter on TikTok?
Absolutely, timing does matter on TikTok, and here’s why:
TikTok’s algorithm favors content that generates engagement promptly.
When you post a video, it’s initially shown to a small group of users. If this group engages positively (likes, comments, shares, or even rewatches), the algorithm promotes the video to a larger audience.
That means that if you post when your followers are most active, you’ve a higher chance of getting immediate engagement, thereby kick-starting the promotion cycle.
Conversely, if you post when your followers are asleep or busy, your content might be overlooked, missing that initial boost.
Suppose you post your content at 2 am. Your video might not receive immediate interaction since most of your audience is probably asleep.
But if you post around 6 pm when people are winding down their day and browsing TikTok, you’re more likely to get that all-important early engagement.
In other words, strategic timing can give your TikTok videos a head-start, helping you maximize engagement and increase your chances of going viral.
However, remember that ideal posting times can vary based on factors like your target audience’s time zone, age, and lifestyle.
So, it’s beneficial to understand your audience and experiment with different posting times to find what works best for you.
When is the Best Time for YOU to Post on TikTok?
Understanding the “Best Time” to post on TikTok is a two-pronged approach.
First, you need to get a grasp of general trends, which are often derived from studies and industry-wide analytics.
However, the key lies in the second prong — figuring out when YOUR specific audience is most active on the platform.
Here’s how you can crack this code.
Round 1: Grasp General Trends
Here are some steps to getting a grasp of general trends when it comes to posting times on TikTok:
1. Stay Updated with Research Studies
Various digital marketing and social media analytics companies conduct research studies to identify general trends on TikTok.
These studies usually involve analyzing data from numerous accounts over a significant period to derive average best times to post.
Following these studies can give you a basic idea of when TikTokers are typically most active.
And consider that different industries can have very different peak times depending on their target audience, so that is something worth paying attention to as well.
2. Monitor Successful TikTokers in Your Niche
One of the best ways to find out what’s going on overall is to observe popular creators in your niche.
What are they posting? When are they posting? How’s the engagement on their posts? And how are they performing over time?
While it’s not guaranteed that what works for them will work for you, it can provide a good starting point for your own post timing strategy.
3. Use TikTok Tools
There are tools available (like Tik Tok’s For You Page, TokUpgrade, or Toksocial) that provide real-time, comprehensive TikTok analytics including the best time to post based on current trends.
Use these to get a big picture of what’s going on in TikTok.
4. Consider Global Trends
Think about when people generally have free time to browse social media: before work or school, during lunch breaks, and in the evening are common peak times.
These times may change depending on cultural factors, weekends, or holidays, so take that into account as well.
And remember, these general trends should just serve as a starting point.
Your most reliable data will come from your own audience’s engagement with your posts, so be prepared to adjust your strategy as you gather more data from your TikTok Analytics.
Round 2: Understand YOUR Specific Audience
Now let’s look at ways to find out how your posting times affect your unique audience:
1. Analyze Your TikTok Analytics
If you have a Pro Account on TikTok (which is free to switch to), you gain access to TikTok Analytics.
It provides a wealth of information about your followers and how they interact with your content.
Under the “Followers” tab, you can see what days and times your followers are most active. This is an excellent starting point for understanding when to post.
2. Experiment with Different Times
Once you have a sense of when your followers are active, start experimenting.
Try posting at different times throughout these peak activity periods and track the engagement.
For instance, if your followers are most active from 5-7 pm, try posting at 5 pm one day, 6 pm another day, and so on. Observe how the engagement varies.
3. Understand Your Audience’s Lifestyle
Remember that your audience is composed of real people with daily routines.
If your content caters to high school students, for instance, posting during school hours might not yield the best engagement. If you’re targeting working professionals, first thing in the morning or during lunch breaks might be a good bet.
Tailoring your post timings to your audience’s lifestyle can significantly impact engagement.
4. Account for Time Zones
Lastly, don’t forget about time zones.
If your audience is spread across different regions, you’ll need to find a balance that works best.
For example, if you have a large following in both the East and West Coasts of the US, you might need to find a time that caters to both zones.
By combining this personalized approach with general best time trends, you’ll have a solid strategy for when to post your content on TikTok.
Remember, success on TikTok isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation; it’s about understanding your unique audience and optimizing your content accordingly.
The Best Time to Post on TikTok
So now that we’ve established that timing matters, and that your times may vary from the “general best times,” what exactly are the best times to post on TikTok?
According to an Influence Marketing Hub survey, the three most effective posting times are Tuesdays at 9am EST, Thursdays at noon EST and 7pm EST, and Fridays at 5am EST.
Specifically, here are the best times for engagement by days in EST:
- Monday 6am, 10am, 10pm
- Tuesday 2am, 4am, 9am
- Wednesday 7am, 8am, 11pm
- Thursday 9am, 12pm, 7pm
- Friday 5am, 1pm, 3pm
- Saturday 11am, 7pm, 8pm
- Sunday 7am, 8am, 4pm
But again, remember that these are guidelines, not rules etched in stone. What works for one may not work for another.
Always keep in mind that best times and days can vary by audience and geography and many other factors, and it doesn’t matter what are the “overall” best times for others.
What matters is the best time for YOU.
Boosting Your TikTok Success Beyond Timing with These Best Practices
While timing is undeniably a key element in TikTok success, it’s not the be-all and end-all. Let’s delve into some strategies that can propel your TikTok journey beyond just getting your post timing right.
- Nail your niche: A consistent theme or niche can make your content recognizable and attractive to a specific audience. Are you a foodie sharing unique recipes? Or maybe a tech whiz providing gadget reviews? Whatever your niche, owning it can make you stand out.
- Hashtags are your friends: TikTok’s hashtag challenge culture can amplify your reach. Jumping on trending hashtags can get your content seen by a larger audience. But remember, don’t just use any trending hashtag. Ensure it aligns with your content and audience.
- The power of collaborations: Teaming up with fellow TikTokers (especially those in your niche) can lead to mutual growth. You share your audience, they share theirs, and everyone wins!
- Engage, engage, engage: Reply to comments on your posts, engage with your followers’ content, participate in trends and challenges — the more you engage with the TikTok community, the more visibility you’ll gain.
- Quality vs. Quantity: While it’s important to post regularly, the quality of content shouldn’t be compromised. Remember, your audience is more likely to engage with and share high-quality, entertaining, and informative content.
- Be authentic: TikTok thrives on authenticity. Don’t be afraid to show your true self or share behind-the-scenes snippets. People appreciate realness, and it can help foster a more genuine connection with your audience.
- Post consistently: Once you have your peak times identified, ensure you post consistently during these hours. Consistency can help your audience know when to expect new content from you, leading to more regular engagement.
- Prepare content in advance: Aim to prepare your content in advance, ensuring you’re not scrambling for something to post at the last minute. This will give you time to fine-tune your posts and maintain high-quality content.
- Utilize scheduling tools: To make the process smoother, utilize TikTok’s in-built scheduling feature or third-party social media management tools. These tools allow you to set up your posts in advance, making your posting schedule easier to manage.
By integrating these strategies with your optimally timed posts, you’re sure to see a boost in engagement, follower growth, and overall TikTok success.
Unleashing the Power of the Best Time to Post on TikTok
You’re thirsty for that TikTok fame but it feels like a marathon sometimes, right?
But remember, each step you take – including mastering the best time to post on TikTok – gets you closer to that finish line.
Just imagine your posts catching fire, your follower count skyrocketing, and your content ruling the TikTok realm.
So why wait? Start applying these insights today and watch your TikTok success story unfold. What’s the first TikTok post you’ll schedule using this guide?
