Why Timing Matters

The first hour after you post is critical. The more engagement (likes, comments, shares) your video gets in that initial window, the more likely the TikTok algorithm is to push it to a wider audience on the 'For You' page. Posting when your followers are most active maximizes this opportunity.

General Best Times (EST)

While every account is different, general studies have found these time slots to be highly effective:

* **6 AM - 10 AM:** People checking their phones when they wake up. * **12 PM - 2 PM:** Lunchtime scrolling. * **4 PM - 10 PM:** Evening and after-work relaxation.

How to Find Your Personal Best Times

General advice is a good starting point, but your own data is far more valuable. Here's how to use your analytics:

1. **Switch to a Creator Account:** If you haven't already, this is required to access analytics.

2. **Navigate to Your Analytics:** Go to your profile > three lines in the top right > Creator Tools > Analytics.

3. **Check the 'Followers' Tab:** Scroll down to the 'Follower Activity' section. This graph shows you the hours and days when your followers were most active over the past week. The peaks on this graph are your golden posting times!

4. **Test and Measure:** Experiment by posting at these peak times and observe your results. See if your videos get a better initial response. Adjust your schedule based on what works best for your specific audience.