When to Post on YouTube: Finding Your Optimal Schedule

One of the most common questions YouTube creators ask is "When should I upload?" The answer isn't as simple as a universal best time — it depends on your specific audience. Here's how to find your optimal posting schedule.

Why Upload Timing Matters

When you upload a video, YouTube initially shows it to a small segment of your subscribers. Their engagement in the first 1-2 hours signals to the algorithm whether to push the video to a wider audience. Uploading when your audience is most active gives your video the best chance of strong early engagement.

General Best Times (Starting Point)

Based on aggregate data across thousands of channels:

• Weekdays: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (viewer's local time)
• Weekends: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (viewer's local time)
• Peak days: Thursday and Friday tend to have the highest engagement

However, these are averages. Your audience may behave differently.

How to Find YOUR Best Time

Step 1: Check Your Audience Geography

In TubeAnalytics (or YouTube Studio), look at where your viewers are located. If 60% of your audience is in the US Eastern timezone, optimize for that timezone.

Step 2: Analyze When Your Audience Is Online

YouTube Studio shows you when your subscribers are on YouTube. Look for the darkest bands in the "When your viewers are on YouTube" report.

Step 3: Test Different Times

Upload at different times for 4-6 weeks and track first-48-hour performance. Look for patterns in views, watch time, and engagement.

Step 4: Consider Your Niche

• Business/professional content: Tuesday-Thursday, business hours
• Entertainment/gaming: Evenings and weekends
• Educational content: Mornings and early afternoons
• News/commentary: As soon as relevant topics emerge

Upload Scheduling Tips

• Schedule in advance: Use YouTube's scheduling feature to publish at optimal times even if you're not available
• Be consistent: Same day, same time builds audience habits
• Don't overthink it: Content quality matters far more than upload time
• Monitor results: Use analytics to continuously refine your schedule

Time Zone Considerations

If your audience spans multiple time zones: - Target the time zone where your largest audience segment lives - Publish 2-3 hours before peak viewing time to allow the algorithm to start distributing - Consider creating shorter-form content at different times to reach other segments

The Bottom Line

The best time to post is when YOUR audience is most active. Use data to find that window, be consistent, and remember that great content will perform regardless of when it's published.

Use TubeAnalytics' audience intelligence features to see exactly when your viewers are online. For more on understanding your audience, read our audience insights guide. And once you've nailed your schedule, focus on YouTube SEO to maximize discovery.