How long does a TikTok keep getting views?
For months. A typical TikTok has only about 49% of its first-year views after one week, so about half come later, and 81% of videos over 3 months old were still gaining views. Instagram Reels are different: about 70% of their first-year views come in the first week.
What we found
- After 1 day: about 40% of first-year views. After a week: 49%. After a month: 58%. After 3 months: 66%.
- 81% of TikToks over 3 months old were still gaining views, and 16% were gaining at least 1% a day.
- Instagram Reels peak sooner: about 70% of first-year views after a week and 80% after a month.
- So don't delete a TikTok that starts slow; it can keep picking up views from search and recommendations.
Share of first-year views by age
| Age | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 40% | 58% |
| 1 week | 49% | 70% |
| 1 month | 58% | 80% |
| 3 months | 66% | 90% |
| 6 months | 76% | 95% |
A typical video, from how fast videos of each age were still gaining views.
How we know: We recorded the views of 88,571 TikToks and 3,089 Reels twice, about a day apart, and measured how fast videos of each age (from hours to 18 months old) were still gaining views. Adding those rates up gives the curve for a typical video.
Related questions
Can an old TikTok go viral?
Old videos keep trickling in views, and about 16% of videos over 3 months old were gaining at least 1% a day when we measured. Big late revivals happen but are rare.
How many views does a TikTok get in the first 24 hours?
For a typical video, about 40% of the views it will have after a year.
Should I delete TikToks that flop?
We wouldn't. Most videos keep gaining views for months, and a deleted video can't.