Many factors determine our success on YouTube. If you're a new creator, most of those might seem almost unattainable sometimes. But some are really within our control. Deciding when to post is one of those areas and can really change your video's performance and reach.
There is no single answer for the best upload time. Here, we cover common tips and show you how to figure out what works best for your channel using YouTube Analytics.
While this data is not set in stone, certain timings are better than others on YouTube, mostly for two main reasons.
We've gathered information from credible websites across the internet and can broadly ascertain these time ranges as effective across channels across the world.
It's safe to assume that weekdays are not the best option when it comes to posting content since people are mostly away from their screens. But using the week wisely can make a big difference to your video's performance.
Overall, it's better to post in the evenings. Research from QuickFrame shows any time between 6 PM and 9 PM is desirable, although the middle of the week, i.e., Wednesdays and Thursdays, aren't generally rewarding. However, this article from Buffer details different time ranges for each day of the week and also claims that Friday is the best day to post according to their study, which is based on a million uploads!
For weekends, the earlier the upload, the better the chances. This period captures a relaxed audience who are scrolling through feeds over morning coffee, ready to start their leisurely weekend.
According to a report by Influencer Marketing Hub, early afternoon, between 9 AM and 1 PM, is the way to go on weekends, whereas others may recommend uploading earlier in the morning.
If you're a new channel that is just starting, following this schedule roughly might bring good results. With time and by uploading more content, YouTube can help you make better decisions informed by your audience's behavior. Let's understand how that works.
Read More: The Secret to Standing Out as a Small YouTube Creator
Inside your YouTube Creator Studio, you can find a more concrete and realistic answer regarding the best time to upload your videos. Here is Rob explaining how in 35 seconds!
First, let’s start with the YouTube feature that will let you know the best times to publish your video content. To access this tool:
On this dashboard, you'll see a new module labeled ‘When Your Viewers are on YouTube’. Now, to be clear, this isn't specifically about your viewers watching just your content. It's when viewers who watch your content are on YouTube watching any video.
Think of it like this. There may be somebody at home, sitting on a sofa, watching Friends because they're a huge fan of sitcoms. Chances are, they're probably going to also enjoy The Big Bang Theory, so programming logic suggests that The Big Bang Theory should come on straight after Friends.
If you know when your audience is on YouTube, you can schedule your videos to be published at that time.
In this visual representation, the deeper the color shade, the higher the volume of viewers there are. For example, many of our viewers are on YouTube at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday mornings while fewer viewers are online at 8:00 p.m. on a Friday evening.
You can also use our tool to determine when to upload on YouTube to get even more personalized data based on your content. Sign up today!
Choose the right time to upload your YouTube videos by considering when your audience is most active, similar to setting up a hotdog stand at lunch rather than at 3:00 a.m. Although YouTube suggests that publish time doesn’t usually affect long-term video performance, immediate timing can be crucial, especially with time-sensitive content. For instance, if there's breaking news like an iPhone launch or a movie trailer release, delay could mean losing viewer interest.
Avoid uploading during the busiest times, such as the start or half of the hour, when competition for viewer attention spikes. Instead, try posting slightly before or after these periods. Think of your video timing like stock trading: Aim for times when audience interest is growing but not yet at its peak. Remember, preparing your video, including adding titles, tags, and thumbnails, takes time, especially for high-quality 4K videos. Plan to upload early enough to ensure everything is polished and ready for viewers.
The upload timing of your videos can have a huge impact on them, especially for time-sensitive content. Even if YouTube says the posting time doesn’t change a video’s long-term performance, getting early views and comments helps the video gain traction right away. Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind:
Before you pick a posting time on YouTube, check where your viewers live. If they come from different areas, you might need to focus on one group at a time. For a mostly US audience, posting at 2-4 PM Eastern works well. It reaches viewers on the East as well as those on the West during their lunch hour.
For a global crowd, review your YouTube Analytics and use the scheduled upload tool. Some creators even change their posting time over the month to serve different regions better.
When you choose a posting time, keep in mind that the best slot can change with the seasons. People’s viewing habits shift during summer, winter, school breaks, and holidays. In summer, many watch videos later at night, while winter sees earlier activity. School holidays can change viewing patterns, especially for younger audiences.
Check your monthly data in YouTube Analytics for these shifts. Many creators adjust their schedule every few months, but keep in mind not to overdo it.
Instead of sticking only to general advice, try A/B testing your upload times. Plan a schedule where you post similar videos at different times over several weeks. For instance, use 2 PM for two weeks and then 6 PM for two weeks.
Look out for key numbers, such as views on the first day, click rates, and how long viewers watch. Make sure the content, thumbnails, and titles stay the same during the test. Once you have data from about 8-10 videos per slot, look for patterns.
So, now that you know the best time to upload your content on YouTube, let's start racking up that watch time! Speaking of which, make these types of videos that attract more YouTube watch time.
The best time depends on your channel. Many channels see good results by posting on weekdays between 2 and 4 PM and on weekends between 9 and 11 AM. Check your YouTube Analytics to find when your viewers are online.
Yes, it does—especially for time-sensitive content. Even if YouTube says the posting time doesn’t change a video’s long-term performance, getting early views and comments helps the video gain traction right away.
Data often points to Thursday through Sunday as strong days for uploads. Some studies favor Friday, while others recommend Saturday or Sunday. It really depends on your audience.
Usually, YouTube indexes new uploads within 1-2 hours, though the actual time can vary. If the video is very important, consider uploading it a bit earlier to allow for processing time.
On weekdays, evenings between 6 and 9 PM usually work best since people are done with work. On weekends, mornings or early afternoons tend to be more effective.
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
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