Alexis Kestler
Timing is everything when it comes to making content go viral on social media. And that statement rings especially true on TikTok. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it’s one of the fastest growing platforms right now. But the key to exponential growth on TikTok lies in understanding when to post for maximum impact.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll uncover the best times to post on TikTok in 2023 for higher reach, skyrocketing engagement, and viral success!
Why Posting Times Matter on TikTok
Before diving into the specifics, let‘s discuss why timing matters at all on TikTok.
As a social media marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of timing your TikTok posts strategically.
Studies show that posting at peak activity times allows your content to be seen by more users. During periods of high traffic, the TikTok algorithm surfaces more videos to more people as they scroll through their For You feed and Following feed.
Timing also significantly impacts your chances of going viral. Content shared at the right times tends to garner exponentially higher engagement through likes, shares, comments and overall reach.
In fact, according to Socialinsider‘s in-depth analysis, videos posted on Sunday at 4 PM EST receive 23% more overall engagement compared to Wednesday mornings.
So if you want to grow your TikTok presence and get your videos in front of larger audiences, pay close attention to best posting times that align with user activity patterns. Think of it as finding the sweet spot for success!
Overall Best Times to Post on TikTok
First, let‘s examine the best times to post on TikTok overall based on aggregate user activity:
While TikTok usage fluctuates daily, these are the prime times for sharing videos each day of the week in Eastern Standard Time (EST):
- Sunday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM
- Monday: 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM
- Tuesday: 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM
- Wednesday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM
- Thursday: 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM
- Friday: 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM
You’ll notice significant engagement spikes early in the mornings as users scroll through TikTok with their coffee. Late evenings also see upticks in activity as people start winding down from their day.
Aim to post your content around these peak activity windows for the best shot at getting views and engagement.
But remember that your specific audience demographics also heavily influence your ideal timing.
Let‘s break down top posting times by location and audience groups for tailored strategies…
Best Times to Post on TikTok By Country
TikTok usage varies widely across different geographies and timezones. Audiences in the Philippines have distinctly different daily activity cycles compared to users in Germany, for example.
To maximize visibility and engagement, it‘s crucial to target posting times based on where your audience is located.
Here are the top performing windows broken down by countries with large TikTok user bases:
United States
Over 110 million people actively use TikTok every month in the United States. American audiences generate highest engagement during these times:
| Day | Best Times to Post |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6 AM, 10 AM, 11 PM |
| Tuesday | 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM, 7 PM, 9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM |
United Kingdom
With over 17 million UK TikTokers, these times tend to perform best:
| Day | Best Times to Post |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM |
| Tuesday | 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM |
Philippines
As one of the most active countries on TikTok with 75 million users, these timings garner top engagement in the Philippines:
| Day | Best Times to Post |
|---|---|
| Monday | 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:30 AM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 8:30 AM |
| Thursday | 6:30 PM, 9:30 PM, 4:30 AM |
| Friday | 2:30 PM, 10:30 PM, 12:30 AM |
| Saturday | 8:30 PM, 4:30 AM, 5:30 AM |
| Sunday | 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 1:30 AM |
Check performance analytics broken down by audience locations and adjust your posting calendar accordingly. This tailored strategy drives up to 37% more video views!
Best Times for Niches & Industries to Post on TikTok
Along with geography, your niche and industry play a major role in ideal TikTok timing. Consider when your target audience demographics are most likely scrolling through their For You feeds.
For example, teens may be more active in the evenings while healthcare workers access TikTok more often during lunch breaks.
Here are top times for some popular niches & industries:
Restaurants 🍽️
Best Times: Weekdays 2-5 PM when people are seeking lunch/dinner inspiration ideas
Fashion 👠
Best Times: Weekend late nights when users leisurely browse aspirational and trending style content
Education 🎓️
Best Times: Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM when students are taking breaks in between classes
Artists 🎨
Best Times: 1-2:30 PM lunchtimes and 7-9 PM evenings for entertainment
Musicians 🎸
Best Times: Saturdays 9 AM and Sundays 1 PM when music listening spikes
Identify unique activity patterns based on your particular niche, industry, and target demographics. Align your posting strategy for better visibility and engagement.
Weekdays vs Weekends: Key Differences in Posting Times
There are also some overarching trends differentiating ideal posting times for weekdays compared to weekends on TikTok:
- Weekdays see more concentrated spikes in activity as people scroll during work/school breaks
- Weekends have more consistent engagement as leisure time increases
- Mornings tend to perform better on weekdays especially Mondays to grab attention
- Late evenings pull ahead on Saturdays & Sundays when relaxation time starts
Check your TikTok analytics for views and engagement over the previous 2 weeks. Determine when your audience is most responsive during weekdays vs weekend schedules.
More Tips to Find Your Best TikTok Posting Time
While the above guides start you off on the right track, analyzing your own audience and content data matters most. Not all TikTok users have identical daily schedules and preferences.
Here are my top expert tips to pinpoint your own customized, stellar posting times:
Analyze Your Performance Analytics
Upgrading to a Pro/Business account on TikTok gives you access to crucial analytics. Monitor engagement rates, audience demographics, traffic sources and videos over time to spot activity and response patterns specific to your account.
Invest time into understanding these patterns across days and times to inform your scheduling decisions.
Post Consistently & Track Impact
Share videos frequently at different times of day and dates. Consistently post 2-4 videos over a couple weeks covering different times. Document metrics for each video while keeping the content style consistent.
Directly compare engagement rates to determine which timings work best and worst for your audience.
Latch Onto Trending Challenges
Hop onto trending hashtag challenges and viral effects to expand your reach to new audiences during spikes in participation. See which types of trending content drives the most traffic and engagement to your TikTok presence.
Use these newfound insights to update your regular posting cadence.
Collaborate with Nano Influencers
Work with nano or micro-influencers in your niche to get exposure to their audience bases. See which guest videos drive the most clicks, likes, and comments based on post timing. This helps you identify new potential peak times for your niche.
Re-share Evergreen Content
Give existing popular evergreen videos from your library another chance to shine. Re-post top old videos that still hold up at different timings to see when they generate the most renewed interest.
Ask Other Creators
Connect with other creators, influencers and brands in your niche through TikTok influencer marketing platforms. Learn from their first-hand posting experiences specific to your industry. What timings yield them peak engagement?
While finding your personal sweet spot posting times takes some upfront experimentation, the effort pays off exponentially through surging account growth!
Posting videos at the right times on TikTok is challenging but enormously impactful. When leveraged effectively as part of your influencer marketing approach, strategic timing leads to meteoric, viral growth.
Use this comprehensive guide on the empirically best times to post broken down by days, locations, industries and other audience factors. Continue tracking your own analytics trends to pinpoint the Magic Hours tailored just to your TikTok audience!
At the end of the day, consistency and captivating video content creation remain the two critical pillars of TikTok success. But inject targeted, peak timing into the mix, and your riveting videos spread their wings even further on TikTok‘s discovery algorithm!
What is the single best time to post on TikTok?
While it varies based on your audience, Sundays at 4 PM ET generates the overall highest engagement across the platform.
How many times should I post on TikTok per day?
TikTok recommends posting 1-4 videos per day for organic growth. Analyze your analytics to find the optimal frequency at peak times for your account.
Can you post too much on TikTok?
Ideally, limit posts to 1-4 videos per day focused on quality over quantity. But so long as your content remains captivating and relevant, increased frequencies may work depending on your audience.
Should I post multiple videos per day on TikTok?
Yes, posting up to 2-4 videos per day can be an impactful TikTok marketing strategy. Spacing out posts allows more touchpoints with your audience at different times. Just ensure consistency in value.
