Social media data

TikTok benchmarks 2026

Where do accounts stand on TikTok? The reference engagement rate, the best-performing formats and the observed posting rhythm, from recent public studies.

Engagement rate

4.6%

Median engagement rate per post, by reach

Buffer

3.85%

Average engagement rate, by views (first half of 2026)

Socialinsider

The two figures are not comparable: each study divides by a different base (reach, followers, views or impressions).

The formats that work on TikTok

Median engagement rate by format, by reach (Buffer).

  • Video3.39%
  • Image1.92%

Rhythm and habits

  • Observed rhythm on TikTok: 8–9 posts per month (Buffer, citing Rival IQ).

What it means for you

  • These figures are reference points, not targets: your audience has its own rhythm.
  • The gap between formats matters more than the overall figure: try the ones that win on TikTok.
  • Sofia compares each post with your own past results, not with a global average.
See the best time to post on TikTok

Sources

  1. Buffer — The State of Social Media Engagement in 2026Published 5 March 2026 · 52m posts analysed
  2. Socialinsider — 2026 TikTok BenchmarksPublished 22 April 2026
  3. Buffer — 2026 Social Media BenchmarksPublished 7 January 2026

Figures checked on each publisher's page on 21 September 2026. Studies get updated: check on their site.