TikTok has transformed short-form video content and recently expanded its platform to include image posts, further solidifying its status as a game-changer in social media.

With a staggering 1 billion active users worldwide, it’s no surprise that marketers are eager to maximize their exposure on TikTok. However, achieving optimal visibility requires knowing the best times to post.

While many suggest posting during specific windows like 10 to 11:50 am, 2:30 to 4 pm, and 6:30 to 9:30 pm on Tuesdays through Thursdays, this generalized advice may not suit every brand’s unique audience.

To address this, a comprehensive study was conducted analyzing over 50,000 TikTok accounts across various industries to determine the most effective posting times. Additionally, we’ve outlined a proven method for identifying your own optimal posting times on TikTok.

Let’s dive in!

---

The Best Time to Post on TikTok in the USA

The Optimal Timing for TikTok Posts in the USA, Despite its Chinese origins, TikTok boasts its largest user base in the USA, with over 150 million active accounts as of January 2024, according to company officials.

Given this massive user base, it’s crucial for content creators and marketers to understand the best times to post on TikTok, particularly in the USA’s Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone.

Research indicates that the most effective times to post on TikTok in the USA are between 10 to 11:50 am, 2:30 to 4 pm, and 6:30 to 9:30 pm mid-week.

Here’s a breakdown of optimal posting times for each day of the week in EST:

• 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

While adhering to these times can yield positive results for targeting the USA audience, it’s important to note that brands catering to multiple regions may need to adjust their posting schedules accordingly. Now, let’s explore the optimal posting times for TikTok on a global scale.

What Is The Best Time To Post On Tik Tok?

Determining the optimal time to post on TikTok, or any social media platform for that matter, isn’t a straightforward task. Unlike traditional wisdom that suggests a universal “best time,” the reality is far more nuanced.

Each TikTok user, whether a brand or an influencer, caters to a unique audience demographic. Consequently, the ideal posting time varies greatly depending on the audience’s behavior and preferences. Moreover, this discrepancy extends across different countries and regions.

Rather than searching for a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s crucial to recognize that multiple optimal posting times exist. This means that what works for one user might not necessarily yield the same results for another.

However, some general guidelines can help steer content creators in the right direction. For instance, weekdays tend to generate higher engagement compared to weekends. Posting before or after typical work hours can also enhance visibility.

When pinpointing the best times, it’s advisable to avoid rounded figures and opt for slightly unconventional time slots. This strategy can help content stand out amidst the influx of posts during peak hours.

Research conducted by SocialPilot offers valuable insights into the average best posting times on TikTok. By analyzing vast amounts of data encompassing thousands of TikTok accounts, the study identified peak engagement hours for each day of the week.

According to the findings, the average optimal posting times on TikTok are as follows (expressed in EST):

– Monday: 6 a.m.

– Tuesday: 2 a.m.

– Wednesday: 7 a.m.

– Thursday: 9 a.m.

– Friday: 5 a.m.

– Saturday: 11 a.m.

– Sunday: 7 a.m.

However, these times should serve as a starting point rather than rigid rules. Content creators should conduct their own analysis and experiment with posting times to determine what works best for their specific audience and content niche.

Optimal Posting Times on TikTok

Monday:

• 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 10 p.m.: Studies indicate that Monday mornings and evenings, particularly around commuting times, are prime for TikTok engagement as users browse before starting their day or winding down.

Tuesday:

• 2 a.m., 4 a.m., and 9 a.m.: Late night and early morning TikTok usage is prevalent on Tuesdays, suggesting users check the platform during non-traditional hours.

Wednesday:

• 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 11 p.m.: Early mornings on Wednesdays see heightened activity as users kickstart their day with entertaining content.

Thursday:

• 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 7 p.m.: Pre-lunch and evening hours on Thursdays witness significant TikTok engagement, likely due to breaks and commuting times.

Friday:

• 5 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.: Fridays exhibit increased activity during lunch hours, possibly as users seek entertainment to break the monotony of the workweek.

Saturday:

• 11 a.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.: With the onset of the weekend, TikTok usage shifts to later in the day, particularly during evening hours.

Sunday:

• 6 a.m., 8 a.m., and 4 p.m.: Early morning engagement on Sundays suggests users incorporate TikTok into their leisure activities before starting their day.

Tailoring Posting Times by Location

Considerations for Global Audience: When addressing a global audience, consider the diversity of time zones by scheduling communications and events at times that are as inclusive as possible, and by always specifying the time zone when mentioning times or dates:

• United States: Times may vary depending on the timezone, but generally, early mornings, evenings, and weekends are optimal.
• United Kingdom: Similar patterns to the US, with peak usage during mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• India: Evening hours tend to see increased activity, aligning with after-work leisure time.
• Australia: Evenings and weekends are prime times for engagement due to leisure and relaxation.

Understanding the regional nuances in TikTok usage can optimize your posting strategy to reach the highest audience engagement across various time zones and cultural contexts.

Optimal Posting Times on TikTok by Industry

In our comprehensive study to determine the best times to post on TikTok, we delved into various industries to discern the most effective posting schedules tailored to specific business types. Here’s a breakdown of the findings:

Restaurants:

• Optimal Time: Monday to Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Rationale: Afternoon hours, particularly midweek, coincide with users seeking dining options and entertainment, making this period ideal for restaurant promotions.

Photographers:

• Optimal Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
• Rationale: Post-lunch hours offer a window of opportunity for photographers to showcase their work, likely capturing the attention of users taking breaks and browsing social media.

Non-profit organizations:

• Optimal Time: Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rationale: Mid-morning to early afternoon slots provide nonprofits with a chance to engage their audience during active browsing periods, potentially driving awareness and support for their cause.

Schools:

• Optimal Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Rationale: These midday hours align with breaks in the school day, allowing schools to reach students during leisure periods.

Lawyers:

• Optimal Time: Tuesdays to Thursdays, 3 to 9 p.m.
• Rationale: Evenings during the middle of the week see heightened user engagement, presenting an opportunity for lawyers to showcase their services and expertise.

Real Estate Agents:

• Optimal Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m.
• Rationale: Mid-morning on weekdays is optimal for reaching potential clients who may be browsing for real estate options during work breaks.

Musicians:

• Optimal Time: Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
• Rationale: Weekends offer leisure time for users, making it an opportune moment for musicians to share their content and engage with their audience.

Dentists:

• Optimal Time: Thursday to Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m. or 4 to 5 p.m.
• Rationale: Users may browse TikTok during these times, potentially catching dental promotions or tips during their morning routines or evening wind-down periods.

Doctors:

• Optimal Time: Monday to Friday, 12 to 1 p.m.
• Rationale: Lunch hours present an opportunity for doctors to share healthcare insights or promotions with users taking breaks during the day.

Artists:

• Optimal Time: During lunch hours, 1 to 2:30 p.m., and in the evenings between 7 to 9 p.m.
• Rationale: Both midday and evening slots offer chances for artists to showcase their work when users are likely to have leisure time for browsing.

Churches:

• Optimal Time: Weekdays from 12 to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Rationale: These times coincide with periods when users may engage with spiritual content during breaks or on weekends.

Fashion:

• Optimal Time: Saturday and Sunday, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Rationale: Late-night and early morning hours on weekends provide opportunities for fashion-related content to capture users’ attention during leisure periods.

Insurance Agents:

• Optimal Time: Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to 12 noon
• Rationale: Mid-morning slots on weekdays are ideal for reaching users who may be considering insurance options during work hours.

Gamers:

• Optimal Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon
• Rationale: Late morning hours offer a prime window for gamers to share content and engage with their audience during leisure periods.

Determining Your Personal Best Time to Post on TikTok

While industry averages provide valuable insights, determining your personal best time to post on TikTok can optimize engagement further. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding your optimal posting times:

Step 1: Switch to a TikTok Pro Account

• Navigate to the “Manage my account” section by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner of your profile page.
• Click on “Switch to a Pro Account” and select your business category.

Step 2: Access Your Analytics

• Once your account is converted, access the “Analytics” section in your Settings menu.
• Analyze the Overview, Content, and Followers tabs to understand your audience demographics and engagement patterns.

Step 3: Identify Your Top Territories

• In the “Followers” tab, locate the “Top Territories” section to identify where your audience resides.
• This data will inform your posting schedule, enabling you to target peak engagement times across multiple time zones.

By leveraging both industry insights and personalized analytics, you can refine your TikTok posting strategy to maximize audience reach and engagement tailored to your specific business objectives.

In the provided example, the majority of the followers are based in the US, with Australia following closely behind, while the remaining percentage is distributed across various countries.

However, unlike Instagram, TikTok only offers territory data based on countries rather than specific cities. This presents a challenge for marketers targeting audiences spanning multiple time zones.

For instance, if your followers are located in New York City (EST) and California (PT), adhering to a single standard time for posting would result in missed engagement opportunities from the other time zone. Posting a video at 7 am EST may not reach Californians who are still in bed due to the time difference.

Despite the apparent similarity in timings, the significant variation in time zones leads to notable differences. But fear not, there’s a workaround to navigate this challenge, as outlined in the following steps.

Step 3: Analyze Follower Activity

TikTok’s analytics section offers valuable insights into follower activity, allowing you to identify the hours and days when your audience is most active.

This feature provides invaluable data to optimize your posting schedule effectively. To access the “Follower Activity” representation, navigate to the Followers tab and scroll down. Here, you can observe the fluctuations in follower activity throughout the week, aiding in strategic decision-making for posting content.

Step 4: Analyze High-Performing Content Data

An essential aspect of determining your best time to post on TikTok involves analyzing the performance of your previous content.

By examining patterns between your top-performing content and its posting day and time, you can glean valuable insights to refine your posting strategy.

Utilize TikTok’s analytics “Content” tab to delve into the performance metrics of your posted content over the past 7 days.

Within this tab, you’ll find comprehensive data for each post, including metrics such as likes, comments, shares, reach, and average watch time.

Step 5: Implement Spreadsheet Tracking

Given TikTok’s limitation of providing post-performance data for only the last 7 days, it’s crucial to create a spreadsheet to comprehensively track your content performance over a more extended period.

Maintaining a spreadsheet enables you to accumulate data over a month or quarter, empowering you to make informed decisions regarding your posting strategy. Here’s what you should track in your spreadsheet:

• Posting Day and Time: Record the specific date and time when each video was posted.
• Video Title: Document the title or caption of each video for reference.
  
  Video Metrics:

• Likes: Note the number of likes received by each video.
• Comments: Track the quantity of comments garnered by each video.
• Reach: Measure the reach or number of unique users who viewed your video.
• Shares: Record the instances of users sharing your video with others.
• Average Watch Time: Document the average duration for which users watched your video.
• Views: Keep track of the total number of views accumulated by each video.

• Traffic Source: Identify where the traffic for each video originated from, such as the “For You” section or external shares.
• Primary and Secondary Audience Territories: Record the primary and secondary locations of your audience for each video.

By diligently tracking these metrics over time, you can analyze trends and identify patterns regarding the best days and times for posting content on TikTok. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into which types of content resonate most with your audience and drive engagement.

This data-driven approach will enable you to refine your posting strategy, optimize engagement, and ultimately enhance your presence on TikTok.

How to Effectively Use Multiple Best Times to Post on TikTok?

To effectively utilize multiple best times to post on TikTok and maximize your reach and engagement, consider implementing the following strategies:

• Leverage Peak Activity Times: Schedule 80% of your content to be posted during the times when your followers are most active, as determined by TikTok analytics. This ensures that the majority of your content reaches your existing audience when they’re most likely to engage with it.
• Experiment with Off-Peak Times: Reserve the remaining 20% of your posts to be published at different times for trial and error. By experimenting with posting during off-peak hours, you can potentially reach new audiences and uncover additional windows of opportunity for engagement.
• Monitor Performance: Keep a close eye on the performance metrics of your posts, both during peak and off-peak times. Analyze factors such as likes, comments, shares, reach, and watch time to determine which posting times yield the highest engagement and conversion rates.
• Adjust Posting Strategy: Based on your performance analysis, adjust your posting strategy accordingly. Fine-tune the timing and frequency of your posts to capitalize on the most effective posting windows while continuing to explore opportunities for growth during off-peak hours.
• Use Scheduling Tools: Streamline the process of posting content at multiple times by utilizing scheduling tools or platforms. These tools allow you to plan and schedule your TikTok posts in advance, ensuring consistency in your posting schedule without the need for manual intervention.
• Delegate Responsibilities: If managing multiple client accounts becomes overwhelming, consider delegating responsibilities or utilizing team collaboration tools. Assign specific team members to oversee the posting schedules for each client account, ensuring that content is posted at optimal times for maximum impact.

Wrap Up 

In conclusion, mastering the art of TikTok posting necessitates a nuanced approach that integrates data analysis, experimentation, and strategic adaptation. Leveraging insights from TikTok’s analytics tools provides a solid foundation for understanding audience behavior and content performance. Balancing the majority of posts during peak activity times with strategic experimentation during off-peak hours allows for both engaging existing followers and reaching new audiences. Continuous monitoring of performance metrics enables real-time adjustments to posting strategies, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. Embracing automation tools and delegating responsibilities within your team streamline the posting process, fostering consistency and efficiency across multiple accounts. By embracing these principles and remaining agile in response to evolving trends and audience preferences, you can maximize your brand’s impact and engagement on TikTok.

Frequently Asked Questions