Best Time to Post on YouTube for maximum views & likes

Have you ever clicked on a YouTube video that’s exploding with views and likes, and wondered, “What makes this one special?” 

While captivating content and charismatic presenters play a role, there’s another, often overlooked factor at play – timing. 

The precise moment you choose to upload your video can catapult it into the limelight or let it fade away, never to be discovered by another person. Harsh. We know. But it’s a subtle art, the mastery of which can transform an ordinary video into a viral sensation.

YouTube is a platform teeming with creators and bursting with content, the competition for attention is fierce. Every day, millions of videos are uploaded, each vying for a spot in the viewers’ hearts and minds. 

In this saturated social media platform, knowing the optimal time to post your content is not just a nice-to-have skill; it’s a strategic necessity. This knowledge can mark the pivotal point between your video getting popular enough to start getting you some subscribers, or never getting a single view (assuming you don’t already have a gigantic subscriber count).

And as 2024 rolls around, understanding these timings is more crucial than ever for creators looking to maximize their reach and impact.

This comprehensive article dives deep into the most recent data, trends, and analytics to pinpoint the most opportune times for posting on YouTube in 2024. We’re not just talking about throwing content out there and hoping for the best — we’re talking about a methodical, data-driven approach that empowers creators to schedule their content releases strategically. 

Plus, we explore the nuanced ways in which various audience demographics and content genres affect the ideal posting schedule. 

Whether your channel caters to early birds or night owls, gaming enthusiasts or fitness gurus, our insights are tailored to fit the unique needs of a diverse range of YouTube channels. 

Arm yourself with this knowledge and stay one step ahead on YouTube. Get ready to amplify your reach, engage more viewers, and elevate your YouTube presence to new heights.

When is the Best Time to Post on YouTube?

Understanding the best time to post on YouTube is pivotal in a content creator’s strategy. YouTube operates on complex algorithms that determine how videos are recommended and surfaced to viewers. 

YouTube’s 2024 algorithm takes into account various factors including user engagement metrics (like likes, comments and shares), click through rate, watch time, and of course, the timing of uploads. Unfortunately, many creators struggle with finding the sweet spot for their post times, and this can significantly affect viewership and engagement.

The optimal posting time refers to when a video is most likely to receive maximum visibility and interaction from the target audience. Timing is vital because it ensures your content is seen by the greatest number of potential viewers when they are most active and likely to engage. 

However, it’s important to recognize that there is no universal answer. Each channel has a unique audience with different viewing habits. What works for a gaming channel might not be effective for a lifestyle vlogger. 

Therefore, understanding your specific audience and experimenting with different posting times is key to finding what works best for your channel, allowing you to maximize your reach and enhance engagement with your content.

But if you need a bit of help getting started, on average, you can expect this for the best times to post on YouTube in 2024.

What Are The Best Times To Post On YouTube For Every Day Of The Week?

Navigating the ebb and flow of viewer activity on YouTube requires a keen understanding of when your audience is most likely to be online and engaged.

As viewing habits can vary significantly from Monday to Sunday, tailoring your posting schedule to these patterns can dramatically boost your video’s performance. 

This segment of our guide zeroes in on the best times to post on YouTube for every day of the week, offering a daily roadmap to maximize your content’s reach and impact.

Best Days To Post On YouTube

Sunday stands out as the best day to post on YouTube, largely due to viewer behavior patterns. 

On Sundays, people often have more free time and are more likely to engage in leisure activities like browsing YouTube. This relaxed mindset makes them more receptive to new content, increasing the likelihood of higher viewership and engagement for videos posted on this day. 

Worst Days To Post On YouTube

The early part of the week, particularly Monday and Tuesday, are generally considered the worst days to post on YouTube. 

This trend is influenced by typical viewer behavior. At the start of the week, people are often occupied with work, school, or other weekday responsibilities, which leaves them with less time and inclination to browse YouTube. 

The shift in focus towards professional and academic duties results in lower viewership and engagement rates for videos posted during these days. Thus, content uploaded on Monday or Tuesday may struggle to gain immediate traction compared to videos posted on more viewer-friendly days (like the weekend).

Is There a One-Size-Fits-All Time to Post on YouTube?

The quest for a universal ‘best time’ to post on YouTube is a common one, but the answer is not straightforward. There is no one-size-fits-all time for posting on YouTube. 

But this doesn’t mean that new creators are left in the dark. 

Average standards provide a starting point, offering a general idea of when audiences are most likely to be active and engaged. These standards are derived from broad viewer behavior patterns observed across the platform.

Yet, relying solely on these averages isn’t the most effective strategy for long-term success. Each YouTube channel has a unique audience with its own specific habits and preferences. 

This is where the power of audience insights and analytics comes into play because by analyzing your channel’s specific data, you can identify patterns in your viewers’ engagement. This includes not just the times they are watching videos, but also what types of content they prefer at different times or days.

Adjusting your posting schedule based on these insights can significantly improve your reach and engagement. 

For instance, if your audience primarily consists of young adults, you might find that posting in the evenings or on weekends yields better results. Conversely, if your audience includes professionals, weekday mornings might be more effective.

Continuously monitoring and adapting to these insights is what will make you successful. What works today might not be as effective in six months or a year, as audience behavior and platform algorithms evolve. Therefore, staying attuned to your audience’s preferences and the broader YouTube environment is important for any creator looking to maximize their impact on the platform.

In summary, while average posting times offer a useful guideline, the most effective strategy is to fine-tune your posting schedule based on specific audience insights and engagement statistics, giving you your best chance at success. 

How Can I Find The Best Time For Me To Post On YouTube?

Finding the best time to post on YouTube is a unique journey for each content creator and involves understanding your specific audience and their viewing habits. 

Ultimately, the best time for you to post will depend on your unique audience. To get a clearer picture, YouTube’s “When Your Viewers Are On YouTube” section in the analytics is an invaluable tool, offering direct insights into when your audience is most active on the platform.

Here are the steps to view your own “When Your Viewers Are On YouTube” graph.

If you can’t see a graph in this section, it indicates that your channel has not accumulated sufficient viewer data over the past 28 days. Skip to the next section if you cannot see this audience report.

How To Read The “When Your Viewers Are On YouTube” Graph

Understanding the “When Your Viewers Are On YouTube” graph is key to optimizing your posting schedule. This graph, reflecting the last 28 days based on your time zone, displays varying shades of purple bars. 

Dark purple bars indicate times when the majority of your audience is active on YouTube, while lighter bars show when viewer presence is lower. 

Utilizing this data helps in determining the most effective posting times. 

If your graph shows multiple peak times, consider aligning your posts with these peaks to maximize views. 

If you were to post on Saturday, the majority of your views would come from Saturday and Sunday — which means you missed out on Friday’s traffic.

Remember, the initial two days after posting often see the most views, so timing your posts with these insights is crucial.

How Do I Find The Best Time To Post If I Don’t Have The Audience Report?

If you’re new to YouTube or lack sufficient audience data for the “When Your Viewers Are On YouTube” report, you can still determine the best posting time by manually analyzing your viewership. 

Take a look at the ‘Real time’ section within the ‘Overview’ tab in YouTube Analytics. This feature shows the number of views per hour over the last 48 hours. 

By tracking this data over a month or a quarter in a spreadsheet, patterns in viewer activity can be identified, helping you discern the most active days and times for your audience. 

Additionally, starting with the average best posting times and adjusting based on your specific niche can be a helpful initial strategy.

Strategies To Consistency Post At The Right Times

Maintaining a consistent posting schedule at the right times on YouTube requires strategic planning and discipline. Below are some strategies to help you achieve this.

By implementing these strategies, you can better align your content with your audience’s preferences, leading to improved engagement and growth on your channel.

What Are The Keys To Becoming A Successful YouTuber?

Becoming a successful YouTuber involves consistently creating engaging and high-quality content. Understanding your audience’s preferences, optimizing your posting schedule, and actively engaging with your viewers are crucial. Success on YouTube requires patience, as building a loyal viewer base takes time and persistence.

How Do I Get My First 1000 Views On YouTube?

Achieving your first 1000 views involves a combination of strategies including: 

How Can YouTube SEO Tools Help With Post Timing?

YouTube SEO tools are instrumental in optimizing your posting schedule. By understanding YouTube SEO patterns, you can get your videos to rank much higher. YouTube SEO tools can also provide insights into when your target audience is most likely to be online and engaging with content, allowing you to schedule your posts to coincide with high viewer activity periods, thus improving the visibility and reach of your videos.

What Video Length Is Best For Increasing Watch Hours On YouTube?

The ideal YouTube video length for maximizing watch hours typically ranges between 5 to 15 minutes. This duration is sufficient to retain viewer attention while providing enough content depth. Longer videos offer more watch time, but they should maintain viewer interest throughout to prevent drop-offs in engagement.

Does The YouTube Shorts Algorithm Favor Specific Posting Times?

The YouTube Shorts algorithm primarily focuses on viewer engagement rather than specific posting times. However, uploading Shorts when your audience is most active can enhance visibility. 

Since Shorts are designed for quick and frequent consumption, aligning your posting schedule with peak audience activity can significantly impact your content’s performance.

How Is YouTube Different From Other Social Media Platforms?

YouTube uniquely combines the features of a video content platform with those of a powerful search engine. It allows for longer-format videos, providing a distinct viewing experience compared to other social media platforms. This enables creators to produce more in-depth and varied content, catering to a wide range of interests.