In 2024, understanding the best time to post on YouTube is key to maximizing your reach, engagement, and overall success on the platform. With over 2 billion monthly active users, the competition for attention is fierce, making it essential to post content on social media when your audience is most active. Identifying the best time to post on YouTube can help your videos appear in searches and recommendations, thereby increasing views and subscriber growth.
This guide will explore the best times to post on YouTube, along with strategies tailored for both traditional long-form videos and the ever-popular YouTube Shorts. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or a beginner, knowing when to post can help you optimize your channel and make your content more discoverable.
Quick Navigation: Best Posting Times for YouTube
To achieve the best results on YouTube, one of the most critical steps is knowing when to post on YouTube. Peak posting times vary based on audience behavior, time zones, and the type of content you’re producing. Let’s dive into the general recommendations for the best time to upload to YouTube:
- Monday: The best time to post on YouTube on Monday is between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., when people are taking breaks and checking their feeds after the weekend.
- Tuesday: Between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. is the best time to upload your YouTube videos, giving people time to catch up on content during their lunch breaks.
- Wednesday: Aim for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays for peak engagement.
- Thursday: Posting between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. yields the best results, as it’s just before the weekend starts.
- Friday: The best time to post on YouTube on Friday is around 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., as people begin unwinding for the weekend.
- Saturday: Early morning posts, between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., work best as people have more time to browse.
- Sunday: The ideal posting time on Sundays is between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m..
By optimizing your posting schedule with these insights, you increase your chances of reaching a wider audience.
Ideal Posting Times for YouTube: Daily Overview
Having a day-by-day strategy for posting on YouTube ensures that your content is reaching its audience at the right moment. YouTube’s algorithms favor consistency and well-timed releases, making it crucial to plan your posting schedule.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Monday
- 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: People are easing into the workweek and are more likely to take short breaks to watch videos.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Tuesday
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: This window allows people who missed Monday’s content to catch up while engaging during midday breaks.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Wednesday
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Posting in the middle of the week helps maintain audience engagement as they settle into their routines.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Thursday
- 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Content released at this time captures the audience's attention as they prepare for the weekend.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Friday
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Many users start their weekend early, so posting during these hours ensures your content is visible when they are more relaxed.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Saturday
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Posting early allows for weekend viewers to engage with your content throughout the day.
Best Time to Post on YouTube on Sunday
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: This time is ideal for weekend viewers who prefer to watch content before winding down for the week ahead.
FYI: Maximize the success of your YouTube Shorts by scheduling them to go live during peak viewing times using Postfity.
Optimal and Least Effective Days for YouTube Posting
Understanding the best days to post on YouTube can further help refine your strategy. While every channel may have its own unique audience behavior, general trends show that certain days are better than others for engagement.
- Best Days to Post on YouTube: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday tend to have the highest traffic as users are looking for entertainment and information over the weekend. These days also allow content to accumulate views more consistently, leading to better overall performance.
- Least Effective Days to Post on YouTube: Monday and Tuesday tend to see lower engagement. As the workweek begins, users are often more focused on their daily responsibilities, making them less likely to engage with YouTube content.
By targeting the best day to post on YouTube, your content will have a higher likelihood of being discovered, shared, and promoted within the platform’s algorithm.
Best Time to Share YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts have quickly become one of the most popular features on the platform. These short, vertical videos are ideal for capturing quick attention spans and are heavily favored by YouTube's algorithm.
To maximize your success with Shorts, it’s important to know the best time to post YouTube Shorts. Generally, Shorts perform best when posted in the early mornings or late evenings, when viewers are more likely to consume short content in quick bursts.
For example, the best time to post shorts on YouTube can be around 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., when users are starting or ending their day. Testing these times across different days of the week can help you identify which time slots work best for your audience.
How to Discover Your Optimal YouTube and Shorts Posting Times
While there are general guidelines for the best time to post a YouTube video, discovering your personal optimal posting time requires some analysis. YouTube Studio offers insights into your channel’s performance and audience behavior, helping you make data-driven decisions.
To find your specific best time to post on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Check Your Analytics: In YouTube Studio, you can access detailed reports on when your viewers are most active. Use this data to adjust your posting schedule.
- Test and Compare: Experiment with different posting times for both regular videos and Shorts. Monitor the engagement levels and views to identify patterns.
- Consider Time Zones: If your audience is spread across multiple time zones, be mindful of when they are most likely to be online.
- Seasonality: Viewer behavior may change based on seasons or holidays. Stay aware of these trends to optimize your content release strategy.
Final Thoughts
Timing is everything on YouTube. By carefully planning and analyzing the best times to post on YouTube, you can greatly improve your video performance and channel growth. Whether it’s a long-form video or a YouTube Short, posting at the right time can enhance visibility and engagement, helping you stand out in an increasingly crowded space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time to post on YouTube?
A: The best time to post on YouTube is generally between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with optimal days being Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Q: What is the best day to post on YouTube?
A: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are considered the best days to post on YouTube for higher engagement and views.
Q: What is the best time to upload YouTube Shorts?
A: The best time to upload YouTube Shorts is typically in the early morning, around 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or late evening, around 8 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Q: How do I find the best time to post YouTube videos for my channel?
A: Use YouTube Studio’s analytics to track when your audience is most active, and experiment with posting at different times to find your channel's optimal posting time.
Q: Should I post on YouTube every day?
A: Posting daily can help you stay active, but quality matters more than quantity. Focus on consistency with a schedule that works for your content creation process.
