## The best way to spark curiosity is by immediately starting your video with a strong hook.
Keeping the viewer on the video through completion and then having them share is the best form of engagement.
### I treat the first three seconds of a video like a thumb-stop test.
- Open with a rare statistic or fact.
- Address a common mistake.
- Introduce an experiment you did.
What you can try now: [Write a first line that makes someone stay past three seconds](/tools/tiktok/hook-generator).
---
## The average engagement rate on TikTok is 1.5% as of March 2025.
The best formula for measuring engagement rate on TikTok is to calculate engagement by view. Engagement Rate = (Likes + Comments + Shares + Saves) / Views x 100.
### In 2026, TikTok's average engagement rate rose 9% year over year to 4.20%.
- Likes are up 9% year over year.
- Comments are up 3% overall.
- Shares are up 13% year over year.
What you can try now: [Divide likes, comments, shares and saves by views](/tools/tiktok/engagement-rate-calculator).
---
## Comments happen when content sparks recognition, emotion, or a shared experience.
Simple choices like "Which one would you pick?" lower the barrier to commenting.
### Comments are a strong ranking signal on TikTok, and they're up 3% year over year.
- Would you have done it this way or differently?
- Which one would you pick?
- Be honest, do you do this too?
What you can try now: [Write a question the viewer can answer in one line](/tools/tiktok/comment-generator).
---
## The best time to post on TikTok for engagement is either Thursday midmorning or Saturday midday.
Check your native analytics to see when your audience is most active.
### Brands increased TikTok posting frequency by 40% on average across every account size in 2025.
- Thursday midmorning.
- Saturday midday.
- Look for patterns in your high-performing posts.
What you can try now: [Compare Thursday morning and Saturday midday with your own audience](/tools/tiktok/best-time-to-post).
---
## Using broad tags like #fyp or #viral signals low-quality content to the system.
Current best practices favor 3-5 highly specific, searchable keywords.
### Users are increasingly using TikTok as a search engine, making keyword-rich captions and spoken text essential for discoverability.
- Use on screen text to reinforce your message.
- Make sure your content works with sound off.
What you can try now: [Pick 3 to 5 specific tags and leave the broad ones out](/tools/tiktok/hashtag-generator).