Finding the best time to post on TikTok will grow your engagement and increase your chances of reaching your target audience’s For You Page (FYP).
Whether you’re a business or an individual creator, this guide will show you how TikTok analytics, optimal posting times, and other tried-and-true strategies can raise your content performance.
Plus, discover how to monetize your TikTok audience with Printify’s print-on-demand solutions.
Key takeaways
- Printify lets you monetize TikTok’s global reach through customizable merchandise.
- Posting at the right times ensures your videos reach active users, increasing their chances of appearing on their For You Page (FYP) and gaining traction.
- TikTok analytics reveal patterns in follower activity, which is important for aligning your schedule with audience habits and time zones.
- Audience behavior is shaped by factors like demographics, niche, and your audience’s location, making tailored posting schedules more effective than general guidelines.
- Consistency and quality in content creation, attention-grabbing trends, and audience interaction can greatly improve visibility and engagement.
Best time to post on TikTok: General overview
The average watch time on TikTok is almost an hour a day, but when users are online depends on their daily routines. Some prefer browsing during their morning commute, while others do so over lunch hours or as they unwind in the evening.
TikTok usage patterns vary widely based on time zones and demographics, but certain general posting times drive higher engagement, increasing the likelihood of your posts appearing on the For You Page (FYP).
Peak times of follower activity in Eastern Time (ET).
| Day | Peak times (ET) | Visible trends |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6 a.m.-10 a.m., 10 p.m. | Browsing before work or unwinding before bedtime. |
| Tuesday | 2 a.m.-4 a.m., 6 p.m. | Active leisure periods and pre-dinner scrolling. |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m.-9 a.m.,11 p.m. | Browsing during breaks and downtime. |
| Thursday | 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 6 p.m. | Scrolling to relax after their working day. |
| Friday | 6 a.m.-1 p.m., 4 p.m. | Earlier afternoon scrolling suggests a transition into weekend browsing habits. |
| Saturday | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Afternoon engagement stretches into long evening and night scrolling during relaxed leisure. |
| Sunday | 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 4 p.m. | Steady morning and afternoon engagement as users prepare for the upcoming week. |
These times are broad averages, which may not align with your specific audience and geographical location.
To effectively optimize your TikTok post times, you’ll need to check TikTok analytics, which we’ll explore in the next section.
How to find the best time to post on TikTok for your audience
Identify your audience’s peak activity times and tailor your posting schedule to reach your target market. Pairing this strategy with high-quality content will increase your chances of going viral.
Analyze your data and experiment with your best-performing content regularly.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to find your optimal posting schedule.
1. Switch to a TikTok business account
Access TikTok’s analytics feature through a TikTok Business Account. If you haven’t already, switch from your personal TikTok account.
A TikTok Business Account gives you access to powerful creator tools, including insights into follower activity, engagement rates, and video performance, all of which you’ll need to decide when is the best time to post on TikTok.
2. Analyze follower activity
Go to the Followers tab in your TikTok’s analytics dashboard to see peak engagement hours and days.
TikTok’s analytics use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), so convert it to your audience’s local time. Check the Followers tab to see your audience’s location and post when multiple regions are active.
3. Consider your best-performing content
Access the Content tab in your analytics to review top-performing TikTok videos and identify patterns through key metrics like:
- Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares).
- Total playtime and average watch time.
- Traffic sources.
Identify recurring themes, like:
- Content types (e.g., challenges, tutorials, or trends).
- Video lengths that performed well.
- Posting times that consistently drove higher engagement.
4. Experiment, monitor, and adapt
Finding the best time to post on TikTok requires ongoing testing and adjustment. Post consistently at different times, then track metrics like engagement and average watch time.
Stay flexible and regularly review your TikTok data for trends, seasonal shifts, and demographic changes.
What factors impact posting times on TikTok?
Several factors influence when your TikTok audience is most active, helping you fine-tune your posting schedule:
- Demographics: Age, location, and lifestyle influence engagement times. Students browse during their lunch break, while working professionals are more active in the evening.
- Niche: Different niches peak at specific times – fitness content performs better in the morning, while food videos do well around meal times.
- Content type: Short, entertaining clips perform best during short breaks, while educational and in-depth videos perform better when viewers have time to focus.
- Cultural and social factors: Holidays, events, and seasons impact activity – festive periods often see engagement spikes, while major events may reduce it.
Optimize your videos to get the best results
Creating content that captures attention and drives engagement might seem like a game of luck, but there are proven strategies for TikTok success if you know how to prepare and identify the right strategies.
Focus on high-quality content
Great TikTok content starts with high-quality videos and clear audio. Find good lighting and record in a quiet space to create videos that reflect the effort you put in. Even with minimal equipment, careful attention to angles and framing can make your content look professional.
Posting content consistently
Posting consistently keeps you visible to your audience and aligns with the algorithm, which favors active accounts.
It’s less about how often you post and more about sticking to a steady schedule to build trust and stay relevant.
Leveraging TikTok trends
Trending challenges, sounds, and hashtags can skyrocket your TikTok videos. Keep an eye on TikTok trends to create timely content that resonates with your audience’s location and habits. However, always add your own unique perspective or creative touch to stand out.
Crafting attention-grabbing openings
Short-form videos thrive on high-impact hooks (openings), as TikTok users decide whether to watch or scroll away within the first few seconds.
Keeping videos concise and engaging
While TikTok allows longer video content, short and engaging videos between 15 to 60 seconds often perform best. Deliver value quickly to maintain viewer interest and encourage repeat views. For longer videos, every second must add something valuable to avoid losing attention.
Read about how to go viral on TikTok in our blog.
Common mistakes to avoid in your videos
Focusing solely on virality
Chasing viral videos leads to content that lacks substance or connection to your brand. Neglecting value-driven or engaging content can harm your long-term growth. Balance trendy content with consistent, high-quality storytelling or behind-the-scenes insights that build audience trust.
Overusing popular trends
Review your own TikTok data in Analytics to identify trends that align with your TikTok account goals. Trends can be an easy way to generate quick views but rarely amount to loyal followers if they’re not relevant to your unique personality.
Overlooking audience feedback
Failing to listen to your audience’s preferences can stall your growth. Comments, likes, and shares are not just engagement metrics, they offer valuable insights into what resonates with your followers. Adjust your approach based on your TikTok engagement to improve over time.
Posting excess content
While posting regularly is good practice, bombarding your audience with too much content can feel spammy and reduce engagement over time. Instead of maximizing quantity, create high-performing content that aligns with your target audience’s interests.
Make money with TikTok and Printify
The social media platform’s global audience presents an unmatched opportunity for you to make money on TikTok. Pair TikTok Shop with Printify to sell quality print-on-demand merchandise.
1. Sign up
Create a free Printify account to sell over 1,000 customizable products.
2. Decide what to sell
Browse our Catalog and select items that align with your target audience.
Find the best products to sell on TikTok in our blog. If your content revolves around fitness, explore products like gym wear or water bottles, or if you’re an artist, consider posters, stickers, or canvas prints.
3. Design your products
Upload your designs to the Product Creator and see them come to life in high-quality mockups.
4. Connect Printify with TikTok
Sell products on TikTok directly through Printify and TikTok Shop, using the TikTok Affiliate Program, or just promoting products in your videos to grow your brand identity.
5. Focus on what’s important
We take care of printing and shipping, so you can focus on creating content and growing your brand.
Use TikTok Ads to promote your products, build your audience, and prepare for peak sales.
FAQ
Yes, identifying good times to post on TikTok significantly impacts engagement. TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes fresh content, so aligning with your audience’s active hours results in more engagement.
Aim to post three to five times a week, but any more than that can start feeling like spam.
Use TikTok analytics or a social media management tool to track your best posting times and engagement. Follow what the data suggests and post TikToks consistently.
Avoid posting at night or during school and work hours in your audience’s time zone. Prioritize mornings and evenings on workdays, as well as mid-afternoons and early evenings during weekends. Use TikTok analytics to track your audience’s time zones.
Focus on high-quality, engaging content with trending sounds, hashtags, and captions. Schedule posts consistently and publish at optimal times on any particular day based on your TikTok analytics. Engage in a way that makes sense for your audience, and don’t solely focus on virality.
Reaching 10,000 views is a key milestone for TikTok’s Creator Fund and other monetization opportunities. To maximize reach, track trends, schedule posts in your audience’s time zone, and cross-promote on other platforms.
Consistent posting and engaging visuals attract more viewers. Prioritize a unique brand voice, experiment with multiple formats, and interact with your audience in comments and content.
Post high-quality, attention-grabbing videos during peak activity hours for your audience. Do it regularly. Promote your TikToks across different platforms and regularly engage with your audience to build momentum. Use trending sounds and hashtags, and collaborate with other creators for more exposure.
To summarize
Understanding when to post on TikTok can significantly improve your content’s performance. Posting times depend on your audience’s activity patterns, niche, and content type.
While general guidelines are a helpful starting point, using tools like TikTok analytics allows you to refine your strategy and achieve better engagement. Ultimately, your success on TikTok depends on combining high-quality content with an informed and consistent posting strategy.
