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Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts in 2024 (With Weekly Calendar)

Last Updated: September 23, 2024

Reading Time: 8 minutes

YouTube Shorts has quickly emerged as a leading platform for short-form video content. With its rapid growth, creators are wondering: when is the best time to post on YouTube Shorts to maximize reach and engagement?

Understanding the right timing can help you land on YouTube’s algorithm radar and ensure that your content is seen by as many viewers as possible.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the best times to post YouTube Shorts in 2024 and how you can leverage this knowledge to boost your channel’s performance. Let’s get started!

Why Timing Matters on YouTube Shorts

Timing plays a huge role in how well your YouTube Shorts perform. YouTube’s algorithm takes into account viewer behavior and engagement patterns when deciding which videos to promote.

By posting at the right times, you can maximize your content’s chances of reaching a broader audience.

Several factors determine the best time to post:

Audience Behavior: When are your viewers most active?
Algorithm Boost: The more engagement your Shorts get within the first few hours, the higher the chance YouTube will push it to a larger audience.
Competition: Posting during peak times can increase visibility, but posting during off-peak hours can sometimes give you an advantage as there is less content to compete with.

How Does the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work?

The YouTube Shorts algorithm is designed to recommend videos based on:

Viewer Interaction: Likes, shares, comments, and time spent watching.
Video Metadata: Title, description, tags, and the overall relevance of the video content.
Engagement Timeframe: How quickly your video receives interactions after it is posted.

Videos that perform well in the first few hours get a stronger boost from the algorithm, increasing their chance of showing up in more users’ feeds.

Is There a Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts?

Yes, based on general research, there are specific times when posting YouTube Shorts can lead to higher engagement:

Weekdays: 2 PM to 5 PM local time
Weekends: 9 AM to 11 AM local time

These times correspond to when users are most likely to check YouTube during breaks or downtime. However, there are also variations depending on your audience’s region and age group.

Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts: Weekly Breakdown

Here’s a detailed day-by-day breakdown of the best times to post YouTube Shorts:

Day	Best Times to Post (Local Time)
Monday	12 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM
Tuesday	2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM
Wednesday	12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM
Thursday	2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM
Friday	12 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 10 PM
Saturday	9 AM – 11 AM, 4 PM – 7 PM
Sunday	9 AM – 12 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM

Now, let’s break down these times and explain the reasoning behind each day’s ideal posting times.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Monday

Monday: Mornings and early afternoons are prime time as users ease into the workweek. Many people take breaks or catch up on content during lunchtime.

Best Times: 12 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM

After work, people often relax by browsing through social media, making Monday evening another great time to post.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Tuesday

Tuesday: Engagement tends to pick up midweek as people are more into their daily routine. Posting during lunch breaks and in the evening can drive higher interaction.

Best Times: 2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM

Tuesday evenings are particularly strong as people scroll through content after a day of work or study.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Wednesday

Wednesday: Known as “hump day,” Wednesday sees higher engagement in the afternoon and early evening as users take breaks or unwind.

Best Times: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM

Posting during these hours can help you capture your audience when they’re most active.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Thursday

Thursday: Similar to Tuesday, Thursdays see increased engagement during lunch and after-work hours as the weekend approaches.

Best Times: 2 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM

People often begin to slow down toward the end of the week, spending more time on social media.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Friday

Friday: Fridays are perfect for entertainment-based content. Posting during lunch or early evening catches viewers looking for a mental break or weekend plans.

Best Times: 12 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 10 PM

Viewers are often in a relaxed mood on Friday evening, making this a prime time to engage them with fun or lighthearted Shorts.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Saturday

Saturday: Saturdays have high engagement in the morning and late afternoon. People usually take a break from their busy schedules to consume content leisurely.

Best Times: 9 AM – 11 AM, 4 PM – 7 PM

If you’re posting lifestyle, travel, or DIY content, these times are perfect for catching the weekend crowd.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Sunday

Sunday: Sundays are ideal for posting educational or motivational content. Many users prepare for the upcoming week by watching videos that help them plan or learn something new.

Best Times: 9 AM – 12 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM

This timing captures viewers while they’re winding down from the weekend and mentally preparing for the week ahead.

Best Day of the Week to Post YouTube Shorts

The best days to post YouTube Shorts for maximum engagement are:

Friday
Saturday
Sunday

These days see the highest traffic as people have more free time to watch videos. Fridays are great for upbeat, fun content, while weekends are ideal for longer-view videos like tutorials or reviews.

Best Type of Content for YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts thrives on quick, engaging, and visually appealing content. Here are some of the best types of content that perform well on YouTube Shorts:

Trending Challenges or Memes: Capitalize on viral trends to get more visibility.
How-To Tutorials: Short tutorials that solve a quick problem or offer valuable advice perform well.
Entertainment: Music, comedy skits, and dance videos are a huge hit on Shorts.
Product Demos: Showcase a product’s key features in a brief and engaging way.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Offer a sneak peek into your life or creative process.

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

The above times are general recommendations, but your channel’s specific audience may have different habits. Here’s how to pinpoint the best time to post YouTube Shorts for your channel:

Check Your Analytics: YouTube Studio offers a wealth of data. Look at when your audience is most active.
Experiment With Timing: Post at different times of day and compare the results.
Pay Attention to Trends: Viral videos often bring spikes in engagement. Use trending hashtags and see when your Shorts gain traction.
Consider Time Zones: If your audience is global, try posting at various times to cater to different regions.

Testing and Adjusting Your Posting Schedule

Successful YouTubers continuously refine their posting schedules based on their channel’s performance. Here are a few tips for optimizing your posting time:

Be Consistent: Post Shorts regularly to increase your chances of getting featured.
Track Performance: Review the engagement metrics in YouTube Analytics and tweak your schedule accordingly.
Adapt to Changes: As trends change and your audience grows, adjust your posting times to match new patterns.

Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts FAQs

Q1: Should I post YouTube Shorts daily?

Yes, posting regularly (daily or several times a week) increases your chances of showing up in your subscribers’ feeds and reaching a broader audience.

Q2: How long should my YouTube Shorts be?

Keep your Shorts around 15-30 seconds. The shorter, the better, as users tend to engage more with quick, snappy content.

Q3: Do hashtags matter in YouTube Shorts?

Absolutely! Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your Shorts, especially those trending within your niche.

Q4: Should I only post during peak times?

While peak times generally help, experimenting with off-peak times can also work well, especially if your content faces less competition.

Your Checklist for High-Performing YouTube Shorts

Keep It Short: Aim for videos under 30 seconds.
Follow Trends: Use popular music, hashtags, and trends to boost engagement.
Grab Attention Fast: The first few seconds are crucial, so make them count!
Post Consistently: The more you post, the more likely your content will be picked up by YouTube’s algorithm.
Engage With Your Audience: Respond to comments and encourage viewers to like, share, and subscribe.