Let’s take a look at how to determine the best time to post on YouTube. We’ll examine research and suggest an algorithm for finding the right period specifically for your channel.
YouTube views depend on a variety of factors, such as the niche you’re making videos for, the specific topic of the video, the thumbnail, properly filled out tags… and the time of uploading a video itself.
- What is the best time to post on YouTube?
- Factors that influence the timing of publication
- How to determine the best time to upload on Youtube channel
- Find the peak of activity
- Find the best time to post on YouTube
- Examples of videos uploaded at the right time
- Personal experience of uploading videos at the right time
- Increasing the reach of your video: ways to boost your video
- FAQ
- What is the best time to upload on YouTube?
- Does scheduling a YouTube video affect views?
- How do you make a YouTube video go viral?
- Does posting time matter on YouTube?
- How often should you post on YouTube?
- What is the best time to post on YouTube over the weekend?
- What is the best time to upload on YouTube videos targeting the US?
What is the best time to post on YouTube?
To start with, let’s understand how time affects reach. YouTube’s algorithms are built on a recommendation system that offers viewers what they are likely to be interested in. So every time you release a video, the algorithms search for people who are similar to your subscribers and suggest them videos in recommendations or search results.
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Your subscribers are people with certain lifestyles: students who may not sleep until midnight, or office workers who watch YouTube on their way to work, during lunchtime, and late at night. Accordingly, they will watch videos during specific times of the day.
YouTube gives a lot of reach if it finds the video interesting. And the interest of viewers is determined in part by views and reactions. So if a video gets more views, likes, and comments than usual in the first 10-15 minutes after publication, the algorithms start actively promoting it – and the reach grows.
If you publish a video before the peak of activity, it will get a lot of views, and then an additional reach as well.
So the best time to post on YouTube is 1-2 hours before the peak of audience activity. Such a time interval is needed for the video hosting to index the video and understand which audience to offer it to.
Numerous studies suggest different suitable time intervals. According to Frederator Networks, it is best to publish videos:
- from Monday to Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm;
- on Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm;
- on Saturday and Sunday – from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Boosted claims that on average, videos can be published at 5:00 pm any day. At the same time, the peak also falls on Sunday at 11:00 am. Edgy advises uploading videos on weekdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and on weekends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. And the calculations by HowSociable suggest that, in general, Thursday or Friday is the best day to publish content on social media.
Most studies agree: on weekdays, it is better to publish videos after lunch, and on weekends – in the morning. These are average data for everyone.
Factors that influence the timing of publication
There are only three factors that determine the most effective time to publish a video on YouTube:
- Overall viewer activity. It is important for those who have just started publishing videos and have not yet gained their first thousand subscribers. In this case, you can rely on average data – upload videos before the overall peak of activity.
- Your subscribers’ activity. This is important if you already have a loyal audience, and you can analyze their behavior. Then rely on their behavior: get maximum reach from subscribers – YouTube algorithms will promote videos further.
- Bidding. How much is paid for 1000 views on YouTube also depends on the time. And if your goal is monetization, it’s better to publish videos when advertisers give the highest bids. Usually, this time interval coincides with the average peak of activity.
How to determine the best time to upload on Youtube channel
Studies show that if the peak falls on Wednesday evening, it doesn’t mean that it will be the same for your channel: your audience may be watching videos early in the morning while commuting to work by taxi or bus. Therefore, it’s better to find a suitable time to upload videos specifically for your channel. It only takes two steps.
Find the peak of activity
You can view the audience characteristics on YouTube’s Creator Studio. Log in and go to the “Analytics” → “Audience” tab. The path is exactly the same in the mobile app studio.
Scroll down the tab to the activity information section: it’s the “When your viewers watch videos on YouTube” section. The hours of the highest activity are highlighted in the brightest color.
The report includes data not only about subscribers but also about those who watch your videos without subscribing. However, it reflects not the views of your videos specifically but the time when viewers use YouTube.
In general, it’s possible and necessary to rely on this data – if you release a new video when viewers are on the video hosting, the chance of getting additional views is much higher. In our example, videos are watched mostly on weekdays from 5 PM to 8 PM and slightly at 12 PM on Sunday. Therefore, you should publish videos so that they are already out by this time.
Find the best time to post on YouTube
Here everything is simple: subtract 1-2 hours from the peak of activity – and you get the best time to upload on YouTube. In our case, it’s 4 PM every day and 11 AM on Sunday.
You can also rely on additional indicators, such as income received from residents of different countries. It may be the case that users from the US watch you early in the morning and are marked on the chart in a light color but bring more money than the main audience.
To find out, pay attention to the “Top Countries” report – it’s located on the same tab. It shows the countries where most of your viewers are from.
Inside, you can see which countries’ residents have brought you the most revenue from monetization, donations within YouTube, and so on. To do this, select an additional indicator in the report.
Scroll down a bit – and the system will show you how much money you received from viewers broken down by location. In our case, it’s logical: most of the viewers are from America, and it brings in more revenue, so marketing should be focused on Americans.
Examples of videos uploaded at the right time
In essence, every video that’s trending is uploaded at the right time. Trending videos are those that YouTube algorithms consider the most interesting. Sometimes there are videos on topics that are not clear to most viewers.
YouTube Shorts are getting more and more popular. Check out our article about Youtube Shorts monetization!
Personal experience of uploading videos at the right time
There are videos whose reach is influenced by both the time and the chosen topic. My personal experience is that on my channel, I talked about a mobile online game and filmed videos with gameplay. When we decided to publish a video message to the developers, we uploaded it before the peak of activity. As a result, it received twice as many views as other videos on average.
Increasing the reach of your video: ways to boost your video
Time is not the only factor that affects reach, so you can additionally promote your video to get more and more views. To get more views with each new release, you need to promote it:
Fill in the tags correctly. This is important for SEO: thanks to tags, the algorithms understand what the video is about and recommend it to the relevant audience.
Choose interesting topics. The topic is the most important factor that affects the reach. The more interesting your video is to a wide audience, the more views it will collect.
Monitor the quality of your content. Few people will watch a video where nothing is clear, and the sound periodically disappears. Especially now, when there is an abundance of content. Therefore, keep the bar high and constantly control the quality of your videos.
Track audience reactions to your videos in the “YouTube Creator Studio” to understand which videos they like and continue in the same spirit. And if you need views only to join the video hosting partner program or for affiliate marketing, you can opt for an easier solution – buying monetized channels. You buy a ready-made channel and work with it, instead of spending time developing it from scratch.
FAQ
What is the best time to upload on YouTube?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the best time to release a YouTube video, as it largely depends on your audience demographics and viewing habits. However, in general, it’s recommended to release videos during peak viewing hours, which tend to be in the late afternoon and evening on weekdays, and on weekends. Additionally, it’s important to be consistent with your release schedule, as viewers often come to expect new content at a certain time. Finally, consider your competition and try to release your videos when there is less competition for viewer attention.
Does scheduling a YouTube video affect views?
Yes, scheduling a YouTube video can affect views, as it allows you to release your video at a time when your audience is most active and engaged. By scheduling your video for a specific time, you can increase the likelihood of your viewers seeing and engaging with your content. Additionally, scheduling your videos can help you maintain a consistent release schedule, which can help build anticipation among your viewers and keep them coming back for more. However, it’s important to note that scheduling alone is not enough to guarantee success on YouTube, as factors such as the quality of your content and your marketing efforts will also play a significant role in driving views and engagement.
How do you make a YouTube video go viral?
There is no guaranteed way to make a YouTube video go viral, but there are several strategies that can help increase the likelihood of your video gaining traction. These include creating high-quality content that is unique, entertaining, and engaging, optimizing your video for search and discovery through the use of relevant tags and keywords, promoting your video through social media and other channels, collaborating with other creators and influencers in your niche, and leveraging current events and trends to make your content more timely and relevant. Ultimately, the key to making a video go viral is to create something that resonates with your audience and inspires them to share it with others.
Does posting time matter on YouTube?
Yes, posting time does matter on YouTube. The time you choose to post your videos can affect the number of views, engagement, and overall success of your content. This is because your audience’s viewing habits and engagement levels vary depending on factors such as their location, age, and lifestyle. By posting your content during peak viewing hours when your audience is most active and engaged, you increase the likelihood of your videos being seen and engaged with. Additionally, by consistently posting at the same time or times, you can train your audience to expect and anticipate your content, which can increase engagement and loyalty. However, it’s important to remember that quality content is still the most important factor in the success of your videos, and posting time should be considered in conjunction with other strategies such as SEO optimization, audience targeting, and promotion.
How often should you post on YouTube?
The frequency of posting on YouTube largely depends on your goals, resources, and audience preferences. However, in general, it’s recommended to post consistently enough to keep your viewers engaged and coming back for more, while still maintaining the quality of your content. For some creators, this might mean posting several times a week, while for others, it might mean posting once a week or even less frequently. Additionally, it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity, as viewers are more likely to engage with content that is well-produced and adds value to their lives. Finally, it’s important to be consistent with your posting schedule, as viewers often come to expect new content at a certain time. By finding a posting schedule that works for you and your audience and consistently delivering high-quality content, you can build a loyal following on YouTube.
What is the best time to post on YouTube over the weekend?
The best time to upload videos to YouTube over the weekend can vary depending on your specific audience demographics and viewing habits. However, in general, it’s recommended to aim for peak viewing hours, which tend to be in the late afternoon and evening on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, it’s important to consider the timezone of your target audience and schedule your videos accordingly. Finally, it’s important to be consistent with your release schedule, as viewers often come to expect new content at a certain time. By releasing your videos at strategic times and maintaining a consistent schedule, you can increase the likelihood of your content being seen and engaged with by your audience.
What is the best time to upload on YouTube videos targeting the US?
The best time to upload on YouTube videos targeting the US can vary depending on their specific timezone and viewing habits. However, in general, it’s recommended to aim for peak viewing hours in the Eastern Time Zone, as it has the largest population and is often used as a benchmark for US timekeeping. These peak viewing hours tend to be in the late afternoon and evening on weekdays, and on weekends. Additionally, it’s important to consider the demographics of your target audience and schedule your videos accordingly. For example, if you are targeting working professionals, you may want to schedule your videos for after business hours. Ultimately, the key is to experiment with different posting schedules and analyze your engagement metrics to determine the best time to reach your specific audience.
