There are billions of active users on YouTube of all ages, making it one of the most influential social media platforms. Every day, users watch one billion hours of content on YouTube. But what makes each channel different from others, and how does YouTube help you meet the right audience at the right time? A lot to ask, right? But don’t worry; we are going to find tactics that may help us reach our turning point.
People often follow strategies to optimize titles, add keywords, and use SEO strategies but they often neglect the times when their audience is most active on YouTube.
In this article, we will explore the best timings to post on YouTube that can do wonders for your video content and boost your visibility.
Why Do Posting Times Matter on YouTube?
Do you know that YouTube gets the most traffic from the United States? Making your videos visible on YouTube is not an easy task. Unlike other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it takes seconds to post your videos on your followers’ feeds. But YouTube takes time to index, just like Google. YouTube deliberately takes time to understand the concept behind each video a creator uploads and then makes it visible to the audience.
As per research, it is highly recommended to post 2-3 hours before the actual active times of your target audience. For example, if your active time is Friday between 8pm and 10pm, then you should post at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Analyzing The Best Time To Post on YouTube
When it comes to posting content, it actually depends on your target audience. Although these timings are excellent points to start, you will need to experiment to determine the precise times that are most effective for your audience and business. Let’s explore:
Best Time to Post on Monday
Mondays can be a tough day for YouTube viewers, but research suggests a window of opportunity. Posting between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time Zone (EST) might catch viewers during their afternoon slump or post-lunch break, giving your video a chance to shine before they dive back into their workweek.
Best Time to Post on Tuesday
Tuesdays offer a sweet spot for grabbing viewers’ attention on YouTube. Aim to post between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. This time frame coincides with the afternoon calm when people might be taking breaks or wrapping up work, making them more receptive to browsing YouTube for fresh content.
Best Time to Post on Wednesday
Wednesday offers some flexibility when it comes to posting times on YouTube. While the 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST window remains a popular choice, targeting viewers with a midday post around noon would be the best. This could catch them during their lunch break or a mid-week rest, offering a welcome break and a chance to discover your content.
Best Time to Post on Thursday
Thursday presents a prime opportunity to reach viewers on YouTube. The 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST window remains a strong contender. As people start to wind down for the weekend, they’re more likely to be searching for new content to keep them entertained. Capitalize on this pre-weekend excitement and get more views on YouTube.
Best Time to Post on Friday
Fridays are golden for YouTube engagement! Aim to post between 2 pm to 4 pm EST to ride the pre-weekend wave. Viewers feel the excitement for the weekend and are more likely to browse for content. Catch them during this prime window, and your video might just become their Friday afternoon escape.
Best Time to Post on Saturday
While Saturdays see a dip in YouTube engagement, mornings are your best bet. Target them from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST to grab their attention. This catches viewers as they relax and unwind, offering them a chance to discover new content before the rest of the day unfolds.
Best Time to Post on Sunday
Sundays follow a similar pattern to Saturdays on YouTube but are known as the more relaxed day. Engagement dips slightly, so aim for mornings to capture viewers. Posting between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. allows viewers to enjoy a leisurely start to their day and potentially stumble upon your video while they browse for content.
What Recent Research Says About Active Posting Times on YouTube?
According to recent research,
- Buffer says the best time to post on YouTube is on Fridays between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. are said to receive the most views.
- According to SocialPilot, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays is the ideal posting time.
- HubSpot believes that the best time to post is between 9am and 11am on Sunday.
The above research was conducted based on their YouTube target audience. To experiment with different timings, you need to make your audience more curious and aware by using countdown strategies and timings for your next video. It is highly important to stay consistent with your posting schedule so that your dedicated audience knows when you are going to post a new video.
What is The Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts?
Ever wonder how to get subscribers on YouTube? The answer is YouTube Shorts. Compared to long videos, YouTube Shorts have higher engagement rates, calculating nearly nine times more interactions.
Research indicates that the ideal time to post on YouTube Shorts is in the afternoon, especially after 3 p.m. As per HubSpot, peak engagement usually happens between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. These time slots take advantage of the moments when viewers are most engaged and open to consuming content. According to Hopper, the best time to post YouTube Shorts is on Tuesday between 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What is The Worst Time To Post on YouTube?
According to the research, there is not an accurate “worst time” to consider because every channel has different types of audiences. As you know, Monday is the first day of the week, and considering two days following Tuesday and Wednesday to reach your ideal audience isn't worth it. These days, users are preoccupied with work, school, or other commitments. Lower engagement on YouTube yields typically on these timeframes:
Early Mornings: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. because people sleep early to wake up fresh and cause lower engagement and overall activity.
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. These first three consecutives days are not ideal because these times people have other priorities to fulfill.
Late Nights: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Most people are offline considering getting a peaceful sleep, but late nights do not include weekends.
These are general guidelines based on research and analysis. However, the best way to determine the optimal time for your channel is to experiment with different time zones and track your video performance. Your best time to post depends heavily on your target audience and content type. Tools like YouTube Analytics can provide valuable insights into your audience’s behavior.
How To Find The Active Times of Your YouTube Audience?
However, it is hard to find the ideal time when your audience is most active because it can only be implemented according to your target audience. Thanks to YouTube's built-in analytics dashboard, you can save a lot of time. Let’s explore:
1. YouTube Analytics
Head to the YouTube Studio and click on Analytics. Scroll down to the “When your viewers are on YouTube” section. The shades of color represent the viewer's concentration. The dark color indicates peak hours when your audience is most active on YouTube. Remember, this graph only shows the last 28-day period, you can directly identify recurring patterns and target those specific high-engagement times for posting your videos.
2. YouTube RealTime Graphs
For creators focused on YouTube Shorts, the “Real Time” graph offers a powerful, although more intricate, tool. Go to YouTube Analytics and select “Realtime”. This graph provides hourly viewer data for a chosen 48-hour window. While it requires more analysis, the “Realtime” graph reveals immediate spikes and dips in viewer engagement, giving you valuable insights into the best times to upload Shorts content.
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Pro Tip: Combine Analytics and Real Time For a comprehensive understanding, consider creating a spreadsheet. Track hourly viewership data for a month using both the Analytics dashboard and the Real Time Graph. Analyzing trends across this data will help you pinpoint the absolute best times to post your YouTube content, maximizing your reach and engagement. |
The Bottom Line
Determining the best times to post on YouTube ideally depends on your target audience and the way they perceive your content. It is preferable to look through the YouTube Analytics section, determine the times that the majority of your audience uses the platform, and set your posting schedule around those times. Your posting time should perfectly align with your audience’s behavior and interactions, as they play a major role in increasing your engagement.
Writer’s Bio
Hafsa Shahzad
SEO Content Writer-Blogger
Hafsa has been working as a writer and blogger for over 3 years now. She's got a knack for writing engaging content that hits the sweet spot, especially in Digital Marketing, Big Tech Industry, and AI. When she's not glued to her writing desk, you might find her sketching beautiful portraits or preparing her favorite coffee in the kitchen.