What’s the Best Time to Post on YouTube? Top Tips

YouTube is the second most popular social media platform in the world, with over 113 million active channels and 122 million users per day — that’s nearly one channel per viewer. With so much content being produced, it can be difficult for creators to stand out, especially if they have a newer profile. 

One technique that can increase your view count is posting your videos at the right time. It seems like this wouldn’t have a huge impact, but it’s a simple way to get your post in front of a higher number of viewers. 

In this article, we’ll break down how to find the best time to post on YouTube based on the day of the week, audience preferences, and analytics results.

Does It Matter When You Post on YouTube?

Posting times are important because YouTube’s algorithm tends to favor videos that get quick engagement — things like views, likes, comments, and shares. If your video picks up interaction within the first few hours, YouTube will more likely promote it on the Explore page or in recommendations. By posting when your audience is active, you increase the chance of getting those early interactions, helping your video perform better.

Best Times to Upload to YouTube: Week Breakdown

The best time to post on YouTube can vary, but some general tips can help you market your channel to more viewers. One of the biggest factors related to posting time is the day of the week, which we explore more below.

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Monday

On Mondays, people often watch YouTube in the afternoon, right after work or school. Posting between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. ensures your video is live when viewers are ready to unwind.

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Tuesday

Tuesdays tend to have a viewing peak at 2 p.m., so uploading between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. is a good strategy. 

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Wednesday

If you’re trying to hit the lunchtime crowd, try uploading between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. This is a little early, but it ensures your post will be live by the time people sit down for a bite.

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Thursday

As the weekend approaches, people take breaks before wrapping up their workday. So, uploading between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is great for catching viewers looking for a midday breather.

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Friday

On Fridays, you can gear posts toward viewers starting the weekend early, so try posting between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. 

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Saturday

On Saturdays, people often have more free time in the mornings. Posting earlier, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., helps viewers see your video while they’re settling in for a relaxing day.

Best Time to Upload to YouTube on Sunday

Since many folks enjoy leisurely Sundays, there’s a bit of a bigger window for uploading videos. Anywhere between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. can catch the weekend crowd’s attention.

3 Considerations for Timing YouTube Posts

When determining how often you should post on YouTube, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The easiest way to discover which posting times connect with your audience is to check YouTube Analytics. Here are the metrics you should track. 

Audience Information

You can find audience reports for your entire channel or one specific video. The following metrics relate most to posting times: 

• When your viewers are on YouTube — As you can imagine, this is the most important metric to check when trying to discover the best time to upload a YouTube video. In this section, you’ll find data on when your viewers were on YouTube over the last 28 days.
• Where your audience lives — YouTube tracks where your highest number of viewers live. With this information, you can learn which time zones to consider when uploading a video. 
• Channels that your audience watches — Along with data about your own channel, you can see the other channels your viewers watch consistently. Check these channels’ posting times to find out which times your audience prefers most.

Content Performance

In the content tab, YouTube tracks several interactions that can inform when you upload videos, including: 

• How viewers found your YouTube videos — This section shows whether people see your content through YouTube suggestions or other methods. Timing your videos well increases the chance of appearing in suggested content, so tracking how audiences find your posts can help you determine if your timing is right.
• New and returning viewers — As you adjust your posting times, you can see which methods attract new audience members. You’ll also discover whether existing viewers like this change as well. 
• Live streams — Even more than traditional videos, timing your live streams is essential to gaining more viewers, since people need to be online when you’re live. Track metrics like views, average view duration, and impressions to see if you’re streaming at the right time for your audience. Plus, stream views tell you when your audience tends to be online in general, which can inform your regular uploading times as well.

Engagement Levels

For each video, you can check summaries of your watch time and average view duration. We recommend using this information to do a little experimenting. Try different posting times for a few weeks to see which videos have the highest viewing time. It might take a little trial and error, but this process can help you find your channel’s sweet spot.

Tips for Uploading YouTube Videos at the Best Times

While the guidelines above offer a good starting point, no universal "best" time works for every channel. YouTube is a diverse platform with viewers in multiple time zones and with different habits. The most effective strategy is to use a mix of general trends and personal data from your channel’s analytics. When figuring out your upload schedule, here are a few best practices to keep in mind.

Batch Create Content

Create multiple videos at once, then schedule them to go live at your peak posting times. Here’s how to use YouTube’s scheduling feature: 

1. Go to the YouTube Studio.
2. Click “Create,” and tap “Upload videos.” 
3. Import your video and include all the necessary details, such as descriptions and hashtags.
4. Tap on the “Schedule” card.
5. Choose the date, time, and time zone for your video to go live.
6. Hit “Schedule.”

Use YouTube Premieres

Build anticipation by scheduling a Premiere for your video. This can drive early engagement and increase visibility. To do so, follow these steps: 

1. Log into YouTube Studio.
2. Click “Create,” then “Upload videos.”
3. Import your post, and enter the video’s details.
4. Choose whether to premier the video instantly or select a countdown length.
5. Tap “Set up Premiere,” then “Done” or “Schedule.”

Post Before YouTube’s Peak Hours

Uploading a few hours before peak viewing times gives the platform time to catalog your video, so more people will see it during busy periods. This way, your video can build momentum and appear in recommendations as more people log on.

Take Your YouTube Channel to the Next Level With Captions

Finding the best time to post on YouTube is essential for boosting your content’s visibility and engagement. While general posting times provide a solid foundation, the best strategy is to fine-tune your schedule based on when your audience is most active. 

Timing isn’t the only factor in connecting with your audience — you also need to upload high-quality, interesting content that keeps viewers engaged. With Captions, you can produce professional-level videos 10x faster than traditional editing methods. Our platform has AI tools to help you bring your YouTube video ideas to life, from generating scripts to editing footage. 

Grow your channel today with Captions.