You’ve crafted the perfect TikTok—trendy sound, clever captions, and just the right amount of humour. But when you finally hit that “Post” button, your video lands with a quiet thud. No likes, no comments, no views. We’ve all been there. In a place like the UK, where the TikTok crowd is active at all hours, figuring out the best time to post can make all the difference between going viral and just… disappearing.
The good news? There is a method to this madness. With over 23 million users in the UK scrolling, swiping, and double-tapping their way through TikTok every month, you just need to know when they’re most likely to see your video. Timing matters—think of it like throwing a pebble into a pond. You want to create ripples that reach as many people as possible, not just a quick splash that’s gone before anyone notices.
Let’s look at the best times to post on TikTok to help you maximise your reach and, fingers crossed, go viral!
The Best Time to Post on TikTok to Go Viral!
1. Why Timing Matters on TikTok
You might be wondering—why does it even matter when you post? TikTok’s algorithm decides who sees your video, right? Well, yes and no. The algorithm does a lot of heavy lifting, but it still needs a bit of help. Think of it like baking a cake: you can have all the best ingredients, but if you don't preheat the oven to the right temperature, it won’t turn out quite right.
Posting at the optimal time increases your chances of landing on more people’s “For You” pages. When your video gets engagement—likes, comments, shares—soon after it’s posted, TikTok’s algorithm takes that as a sign that your content is worth sharing more widely. This means getting the timing right could be the boost your video needs to reach thousands, or even millions.
2. The Best Times to Post on TikTok in the UK
Let’s get down to the specifics. You’re here because you want to know the best times to post on TikTok in the UK to get the most views and engagement. Based on research and a bit of trial and error from seasoned TikTokers, here are the most popular times to post:
Morning (9:00 am – 11:00 am): Early in the day, people are catching up on their feeds, often while commuting or having a quick tea break. Posting during this window gives your video a chance to start gaining traction when people are more likely to scroll through TikTok.
Lunch Break (12:30 pm – 2:30 pm): Lunchtime is peak scrolling time, especially during the weekdays. People tend to take a break from work or school and dive into TikTok for some light entertainment.
Afternoon Dip (3:30 pm – 5:30 pm): Right after the school bell rings and as people start wrapping up work, TikTok sees another spike in activity. It's a great time to post if you want to catch that after-school and pre-evening crowd.
Evening (7:30 pm – 9:30 pm): This is the golden hour. People are home, relaxing, and scrolling through their feeds more leisurely. Posting during this time gives your video a shot at hitting a wide audience.
Late Night (10:30 pm – Midnight): Yes, even late at night, people are glued to TikTok. The night owls are out, and it’s often quieter competition-wise, which could help your video gain traction more easily.
While these times are a good starting point, you’ll need to pay attention to your specific audience to fine-tune your posting schedule.
3. Knowing Your Audience – Who’s Watching?
Your posting schedule should reflect the habits of the people you want to reach. If your TikTok is all about DIY crafts or parenting tips, your audience may be scrolling during different times than, say, students looking for laughs during study breaks. The best way to understand your audience’s habits is by using TikTok’s built-in analytics tool. If you’ve got a Pro Account (it’s free to switch over), you can see when your followers are most active.
It’s a bit like playing detective. Do most of your followers seem to be active in the evening? That’s your cue to start posting around 7:30 pm. Do they spike in activity around lunchtime? There’s your hint. While general advice is useful, tailoring your strategy based on your followers’ habits will make your approach much more effective.
4. Weekdays vs. Weekends – Does It Make a Difference?
Yes, it does! TikTok’s audience shifts between weekdays and weekends, and so should your posting strategy. During the week, people are generally online during breaks or after work hours. That’s why you’ll often see more engagement around lunchtime and in the evenings.
On weekends, the rules change a bit. People wake up later, and scrolling might start closer to 11:00 am or noon. It’s a bit of a lazy Saturday or Sunday routine, where engagement stays steady throughout the day. If you’re posting at your usual weekday time of 9:00 am on a Saturday, you might just miss your audience, who are still tucked up in bed or enjoying a late breakfast.
5. Seasonal Trends – The TikTok Calendar
Just like the seasons affect our mood, they also influence when people are online. For example, during summer holidays or Christmas breaks, TikTok use may spike at unusual times since routines change. A rainy summer afternoon might see people glued to their phones, while a warm sunny day could mean fewer eyes on the app.
Similarly, during exam season, the student demographic might have more active late-night scrolling. Pay attention to these seasonal shifts and adjust your schedule accordingly. It’s a bit like wearing a coat in the winter and shorts in the summer—timing your posts to the season just makes sense.
6. Posting Multiple Times – Is It Worth It?
You might be wondering if you should post several times a day to boost your chances of going viral. Posting more often can definitely help, but quality still outweighs quantity. If you’re putting out multiple videos, make sure they’re all engaging and well-thought-out. Think of it like fishing—casting multiple lines into the water gives you more chances to catch a fish, but if the bait isn’t good, you’re not going to get many bites.
If you’re going to post several times, space them out. Posting at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 8:00 pm, for example, gives you a chance to reach different groups throughout the day.
7. Pay Attention to What Works – Tracking Analytics
TikTok provides you with some handy tools to figure out when to post. With TikTok Analytics, you can track your top-performing videos and see when they were posted. If you notice that your videos tend to do well when posted in the evening, that’s your clue to lean into evening posts.
Think of it like fine-tuning a radio to get the best signal. Tracking analytics is all about finding that sweet spot where your audience is most active, and posting consistently around that time.
8. Using Trends to Your Advantage
TikTok is a trend-driven platform, and sometimes posting at the right time has more to do with hopping on a trend quickly than sticking to your usual schedule. If a trend starts picking up steam, posting your take on it sooner rather than later increases your chances of being part of the viral wave. It’s a bit like jumping on a moving train—if you time it right, you’ll catch the ride.
Keep an eye on the “Discover” tab to see what’s trending and consider adjusting your posting schedule to fit those trends.
9. Global Audiences – If You’re Reaching Beyond the UK
If your TikTok content reaches beyond the UK, you’ll need to consider time zones. Posting at a time that works for both the UK and the US, for example, might be your best bet if you’re trying to reach a broader audience. Aim for times that overlap, like late afternoon in the UK (around 4:00 pm), which is morning in the US.
It’s a balancing act, but considering your global audience can help maximise views.
10. Don’t Stress About It Too Much – Just Keep Posting
At the end of the day, TikTok is unpredictable, and there’s no magic formula for instant viral success. Timing is important, but don’t let it hold you back from creating. If you have a great idea, share it—even if it’s not the “perfect” time. Consistency is key, and every post is a learning opportunity.
Think of it like planting a garden—some seeds sprout right away, and some take a bit longer, but with regular care and attention, you’ll see growth. Keep posting, keep experimenting, and find what works best for you.
Timing can give your TikTok content the push it needs, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best time to post on TikTok in the UK depends on your audience, the day of the week, and even the season. Start with some of the suggested times, pay attention to your analytics, and be flexible. Most importantly, don’t stress too much—TikTok is all about having fun, being creative, and sharing what you love.
So, give these posting times a try, keep an eye on what’s working, and most importantly, just keep posting. You never know which video will be the one that takes off.
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