Timing can significantly impact your video's initial performance. While the "best time" depends on your specific audience, here's what the data shows.
General Best Times
Based on analysis of successful channels:
Weekdays
- Best: Thursday and Friday, 12pm - 3pm
- Good: Monday - Wednesday, 2pm - 4pm
Weekends
- Best: Saturday and Sunday, 9am - 11am
Why Timing Matters
YouTube's algorithm gives new videos a "testing period" where it shows your content to a sample of your subscribers. If these initial viewers engage well:
- YouTube shows it to more people
- It gets recommended in suggested videos
- It can appear in search results
Posting when your audience is active gives you the best chance of strong initial engagement.
Finding Your Optimal Time
Check Your Analytics
Go to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Audience to see when your viewers are online.
Consider Time Zones
If your audience is global, you may need to balance multiple time zones.
Test and Iterate
Try posting at different times and track your results over 4-6 weeks.
Pro Tips
- Schedule in advance: Use YouTube's scheduler to post consistently
- Give buffer time: Videos can take 1-2 hours to be fully processed
- Be consistent: Same day/time helps build audience habits
Remember: Great content beats perfect timing every time. Focus on quality first, then optimize timing.