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When Is The Best Time to Post on YouTube in 2024 (With Weekly Calendar)

Last Updated: September 22, 2024

Reading Time: 9 minutes

Hello YouTube creators! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned content creator, figuring out the best time to post on YouTube can give your channel a major boost.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best times to post on YouTube in 2024 and how to maximize your video’s reach with a weekly calendar.

Why Posting Time Matters on YouTube

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of specific times, let’s first understand why posting time matters.

YouTube’s algorithm favors fresh content that gets quick engagement. This means that if you post when your audience is most active, your video is more likely to appear in their feed, get more clicks, and climb the rankings in search results.

While crafting high-quality content is key, timing can make a significant difference in how many views and engagements your videos get, especially in the crucial first 24-48 hours after posting.

Understanding YouTube’s Algorithm

YouTube’s algorithm decides what content to promote based on a mix of several factors:

Watch time: The total time users spend watching your videos.
Click-through rate (CTR): How often your video is clicked on when shown.
Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and subscribes generated from your video.
Relevancy: How relevant your content is based on keywords, tags, and user history.
Recency: Newer videos often get a slight boost, so posting when your audience is most likely to watch is critical.

If your video receives good engagement (views, likes, comments) soon after posting, it signals to YouTube that the content is worth promoting to a broader audience.

Is There a Best Time to Post on YouTube?

Yes, there is! The best time to post on YouTube varies depending on your audience and location, but general guidelines can help. According to multiple studies, the best times to post on YouTube are:

Weekdays: Between 12 PM – 4 PM (local time of your audience).
Weekends: Between 9 AM – 11 AM (local time).

These times work well because most users browse YouTube during lunch breaks, in the afternoon, or early evenings during the week. On weekends, people tend to start watching videos earlier, making mornings prime time for posting.

However, the best time can differ depending on your audience’s location, habits, and content type. YouTube Analytics is your friend when it comes to figuring out the most active hours for your viewers.

The Best Times to Post on YouTube

To help you better plan, here’s a breakdown of the best times to post on YouTube by day of the week:

Day	Best Times to Post (Local Time)
Monday	2 PM – 4 PM
Tuesday	2 PM – 4 PM
Wednesday	2 PM – 4 PM
Thursday	12 PM – 3 PM
Friday	12 PM – 3 PM
Saturday	9 AM – 11 AM
Sunday	9 AM – 11 AM

This schedule aligns with when users are typically free from work or school and have time to engage with longer video content.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Monday

Monday: The beginning of the workweek means that people usually catch up on their favorite YouTubers during breaks or in the early afternoon. The best times to post are:

Afternoon: 2 PM – 4 PM

This gives your content time to gain traction before people start winding down for the day.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Tuesday

Tuesday: Similar to Monday, users typically start getting back into their weekday routine. Posting in the afternoon works well as users have had time to settle into their workday. Ideal posting times include:

Afternoon: 2 PM – 4 PM

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Wednesday

Wednesday: Midweek is a great time to engage users as they look for entertainment or educational content during work breaks. The best times to post are:

Afternoon: 2 PM – 4 PM

This is an excellent window to attract viewers before their evening activities.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Thursday

Thursday: Engagement picks up on Thursday as people start anticipating the weekend. The ideal times to post are:

Midday: 12 PM – 3 PM

Posting earlier in the day can give your video enough time to gain momentum before the evening.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Friday

Friday: As people prepare for the weekend, they often look for entertainment or leisure content. The best times to post are:

Midday: 12 PM – 3 PM

Posting during this time allows your video to be seen before users switch into full weekend mode.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Saturday

Saturday: Weekends are prime YouTube time as people have more free time to consume content. Mornings are especially effective for capturing viewers’ attention. The best times to post are:

Morning: 9 AM – 11 AM

This gives your video the entire day to gather views and engagement.

Best Time to Post on YouTube on Sunday

Sunday: Similar to Saturday, Sunday is a high-traffic day on YouTube, especially for family or entertainment content. The best times to post are:

Morning: 9 AM – 11 AM

This timing allows your video to circulate throughout the day as viewers wind down before the new week begins.

Also read: When Is Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2024 (With Weekly Calendar).

What Is the Best Day of the Week to Post on YouTube?

While you can post videos any day of the week, studies show that Thursday and Friday are generally the best days to post on YouTube. These days tend to see higher engagement as people prepare for the weekend and have more time to watch content.

However, if your content is educational or work-related, Monday and Tuesday can also work well as users look for productivity-focused videos to start their week.

The Best Type of Content on YouTube

To truly make the most of your posting schedule, it’s essential to create content that resonates with your audience. Some types of content that generally perform well on YouTube include:

How-to and tutorials: Videos that solve a problem or teach a skill.
Product reviews and unboxings: Popular for tech, beauty, and lifestyle niches.
Vlogs: Personal stories and daily life videos.
Educational content: In-depth videos on topics like science, history, or business.
Entertainment content: Fun, creative, or light-hearted videos, including challenges or collaborations.
Listicles and top 10s: Countdowns or ranked videos in any niche.

High-quality thumbnails, engaging titles, and compelling intros are crucial in drawing viewers in, regardless of your content type.

How to Find the Best Time to Post on YouTube for You

While the times mentioned earlier are a great starting point, you’ll want to use YouTube Analytics to tailor your posting schedule for your specific audience. Here’s how you can do it:

Go to YouTube Studio.
Click on Analytics, and then Audience.
Check “When your viewers are on YouTube.” This graph shows you when your subscribers are most active on the platform.

Use this data to refine your posting schedule, ensuring your videos go live when your audience is most active.

Testing and Adjusting Your Posting Time

It’s important to test different posting times and track your performance over a few weeks. Here’s how you can do it:

Start with the recommended times listed earlier.
Post consistently at different times throughout the week.
Monitor your analytics to see when you get the most views, comments, and likes.
Adjust your schedule based on the data you collect.

After a month or so, you’ll have a much clearer idea of the best times for your unique audience.

The Best Time to Post on YouTube FAQs

Q1: Should I post every day?

It’s not necessary to post every day. Quality over quantity matters on YouTube. Posting one or two high-quality videos per week is better than daily low-effort content. Find a balance that works for you and your audience.

Q2: Does the location of my audience matter?

Yes! Time zones play a crucial role in deciding the best posting time. If you have a global audience, try posting during times that align with the majority of your viewers or schedule multiple videos to accommodate different time zones.

Q3: Are weekends better for posting?

Weekends can be great for entertainment or lifestyle content since people have more free time. However, educational or business-focused channels might find better engagement during weekdays. Test and see what works for your channel.

Q4: Should I post at the same time every week?

Consistency helps, but it’s also okay to experiment with different times. Consistent posting times can help build an audience that knows when to expect new content.

Q5: Can I schedule posts in advance?

Absolutely! YouTube’s scheduling feature allows you to set a specific date and time for your videos to go live. This helps you stay consistent without needing to manually upload each time.

Your Checklist for High-Performing YouTube Videos

Research Your Audience: Use YouTube Analytics to understand when your viewers are most active.
Create High-Quality Content: Ensure your videos are visually appealing, well-edited, and provide value.
Optimize Titles and Descriptions: Use keywords that resonate with your audience and make your content easy to find.
Engage Your Audience: Use call-to-actions, ask questions, and respond to comments to encourage engagement.
Design Eye-Catching Thumbnails: Custom thumbnails attract more clicks and improve your click-through rate (CTR).
Post at Optimal Times: Use the times suggested here or based on your own analytics.
Analyze and Adjust: Keep monitoring your performance and adjust your strategy as needed.